Amauroderma rugosum (AR) is a dietary mushroom in the Ganodermataceae family whose pharmacological activity and medicinal value have rarely been reported. In this study, the antioxidant capacity and neuroprotective effects of AR were investigated. The aqueous extract of AR was confirmed to contain phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and triterpenes. The results of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and total antioxidant capacity assays revealed that AR extract scavenged reactive oxygen species. Moreover, AR extract decreased the cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In addition, 6-OHDA upregulated the expressions of proapoptotic proteins and downregulated the Akt (protein kinase B)/mTOR- (mammalian target of rapamycin-) and MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase)/ERK- (extracellular signal-regulated kinases-) dependent signaling pathways. These effects of 6-OHDA were abolished or partially reversed by AR extract. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of AR in 6-OHDA-treated PC12 cells were significantly abolished by Akt and MEK inhibitor. Thus, AR extract possesses neuroprotective effects, probably through its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. These findings suggest the potential application of AR in the prevention or treatment of oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.

Amauroderma rugosum (AR) is a basidiomycete in the Ganodermataceae family that has been used traditionally to prevent epileptic attacks and constant crying in babies. However, AR has not been widely studied scientifically. In this review, we summarize the phytochemical components and pharmacological properties of AR that have been reported in the literature. Chemical analyses have revealed that the components of AR include sterols, flavonoids, fatty acids and esters, aromatic acids and esters, phenols, polysaccharides, and triterpenes. Pharmacological properties of AR include antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti‐cancer, anti‐hyperlipidemic, anti‐epileptic, and antibacterial effects. These findings suggest that AR and its bioactive ingredients have potential therapeutic applications, particularly for age‐related diseases.

Clinical outcomes for doxorubicin (Dox) are limited by its cardiotoxicity but a combination of Dox and agents with cardioprotective activities is an effective strategy to improve its therapeutic outcome. Natural products provide abundant resources to search for novel cardioprotective agents. Ganoderma lucidum (GL) is the most well-known edible mushroom within the Ganodermataceae family. It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine or as a healthcare product. Amauroderma rugosum (AR) is another genus of mushroom from the Ganodermataceae family, but its pharmacological activity and medicinal value have rarely been reported. In the present study, the cardioprotective effects of the AR water extract against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity were studied in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that both the AR and GL extracts could potentiate the anticancer effect of Dox. The AR extract significantly decreased the oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis seen in Dox-treated H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes. However, knockdown of Nrf2 by siRNA abolished the protective effects of AR in these cells. In addition, Dox upregulated the expression of proapoptotic proteins and downregulated the Akt/mTOR and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways, and these effects could be reversed by the AR extract. Consistently, the AR extract significantly prolonged survival time, reversed weight loss, and reduced cardiac dysfunction in Dox-treated mice. In addition, oxidative stress and apoptosis were suppressed, while Nrf2 and HO-1 expressions were elevated in the heart tissues of Dox-treated mice after treatment with the AR extract. However, the GL extract had less cardioprotective effect against Dox in both the cell and animal models. In conclusion, the AR water extract demonstrated a remarkable cardioprotective effect against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity. One of the possible mechanisms for this effect was the upregulation of the mTOR/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1-dependent pathways, which may reduce oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. These findings suggested that AR may be beneficial for the heart, especially in patients receiving Dox-based chemotherapy.

Keratinocytes form the physical barrier of the skin and play an important role in the inflammatory process. Amauroderma rugosum is an edible mushroom; however, its pharmacological properties have seldom been studied. Although the anti-inflammatory effect of the organic solvent extract of Amauroderma rugosum has been previously reported, it is not known whether the aqueous extract has a similar effect. In addition, the effect of Amauorderma rugosum extract on skin has never been explored. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of Amauroderma rugosum on HaCaT keratinocytes, to explore its mechanisms of action, and to study the possible active ingredients involved. The results showed that the aqueous extract of Amauroderm rugosum at a concentration of 1.5 mg/mL was non-toxic to HaCaT cells and inhibited the release of cytokine interleukin-1β, and chemokines interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α- and interferon (IFN)-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Amauroderma rugosum extract reduced the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. In addition, Amauroderma rugosum extract reduced the total protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and B-cells inhibitor alpha in HaCaT keratinocytes and inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) 1/2, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, protein kinase B (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in TNF-α- and INF-γ-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. Chemical analysis revealed that the aqueous extract of Amauroderma rugosum contains polysaccharides, triterpenes, and phenolic compounds. Anti-inflammatory compounds, such as gallic acid, guanosine, and uridine, were also present. The anti-inflammatory effect of Amauroderma rugosum could be mimicked by a combination of gallic acid, guanosine, and uridine. In conclusion, our study suggests that the aqueous extract of Amauroderma rugosum exerts anti-inflammatory effects on keratinocytes through its antioxidant and inhibitory effects on MEK/ERK-, Akt/mTOR-, and NF-κB-dependent signaling pathways.

Aging is a major risk factor for many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, cancer and diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress plays a key role in the aging process. Amauroderma rugosum is an edible mushroom that has rarely been studied. The aims of this study were to compare the major chemical constituents and to investigate the antioxidant effects of Amauroderma lucidum and Ganoderma lucidum. The water extract of Amauroderma lucidum contained a higher amount of total phenolic compounds than that of Ganoderma lucidum. The total polysaccharide and triterpene content in water extracts of Amauroderma rugosum and Ganoderma lucidum did not significantly differ. The water extract of Amauroderma rugosum demonstrated free radical scavenging capacity and could reduce doxorubicin-induced damage in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Amauroderma rugosum has stronger antioxidant and cellular protective effects than Ganoderma lucidum. Amauroderma rugosum may be beneficial in healthy aging, and further study should be encouraged