A comparative analysis of fungal agents with anti-glioblastoma properties

Date
2023-12
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Cancer can be defined as a disease where cells within the body grow uncontrollably and may spread throughout the body. Globally cancers have been found to amass a high mortality rate, with central nervous system (CNS) tumors increasing substantially over the past 30 years more specifically within the elderly. Primary treatment regimens for CNS tumors include but are not limited to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical resection. However, these treatments carry a lot of toxic side effects, thus highlighting the need to develop alternative treatment strategies. In the current study, fungal crude extracts were evaluated for their anti-glioblastoma (GBM) potential. The fungal crude extracts were derived from different fungal species which were obtained from crustose lichens, plants, and marine vertebrates such as ascidians. A total of 45 different fungi were grown with 15 fungi from each source undergoing sequencing to identify their genus and species. The fungi which were successfully identified via ITS and cultured for metabolite extraction. The metabolites were extracted by soaking the fungal mat in methanol and consequently concentrating using a rotary evaporator. Fungal endophytes Mucor janssenii (P13) and Diaporthe rudis (R3.10) which came from a lichen and a plant respectfully, showed the greatest cell growth inhibitory activity when screened against the GBM cancer cell line. Fungal crude extracts of Mucor janssenii (P13) showed inhibition of 55% at 250 µg/mL and Diaporthe rudis (R3.10) showed a 50% inhibition at 83 µg/mL against the U251 GBM cell line. These extracts showed no cytotoxicity against the Vero cell line, which was used as the normal control cell line. Nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized, functionalized with crude extracts Mucor janssenii (P13) and Diaporthe rudis (R3.10) and their inhibitory effects against the GBM cell line assessed. U251 GBM cell line was treated with the functionalized NPs at concentration range of 100 µg/mL to 12.5 µg/mL. The functionalized NPs displayed inhibition only at 100 µg/mL with both Mucor janssenii (P13) and Diaporthe rudis (R3.10) functionalized NPs displaying inhibition of 60% and 65% respectfully. Untargeted metabolite profiling was conducted with both crude extracts P13 and R3.10 along with their “spent” fractions from NP functionalization. The present study has concluded and highlighted the importance of fungi as a reservoir of natural products.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kanker kan gedefinieer word as 'n siekte waar selle in die liggaam onbeheerbaar groei en deur die liggaam kan versprei. Daar is gevind dat kanker wêreldwyd 'n hoë sterftesyfer optel, met gewasse in die sentrale senuweestelsel (SNS) wat die afgelope 30 jaar aansienlik toegeneem het, meer spesifiek by bejaardes. Primêre behandelingsregimes vir SSS-gewasse sluit in, maar is nie beperk nie tot chemoterapie, bestralingsterapie en chirurgiese reseksie. Hierdie behandelings dra egter baie toksiese newe-effekte in, wat die behoefte beklemtoon om alternatiewe behandelingstrategieë te ontwikkel. In die huidige studie is swam-ru-ekstrakte vir hul anti-glioblastoom (GBM) potensiaal geëvalueer. Die ru-swamekstrakte is afkomstig van verskillende swamspesies wat verkry is van korsagtige ligene, plante en mariene ascidiërs. Altesaam 45 verskillende swamme is gekweek met 15 swamme van elke bron wat volgordebepaling ondergaan het om hul genus en spesie te identifiseer. Die swamme wat suksesvol geïdentifiseer is, is gekweek vir metabolietekstraksie. Die metaboliete is onttrek deur die swamme binne 'n metanol oplosmiddel te week en die oplosmiddel binne 'n roterende verdamper te plaas om die metaboliete te konsentreer en die oplosmiddel te verwyder. Swam-endofiete Mucor janssenii (P13) en Diaporthe rudis (R3,10) wat met respek van korsmos- en plantoorsprong afkomstig is, het die grootste selgroei-inhiberende aktiwiteit getoon wanneer dit teen die GBM-kankersellyn gekeur is. Swam-ru-ekstrakte, van Mucor janssenii (P13) het inhibisie van 55% teen 250 µg/mL getoon en Diaporthe rudis (R3.10) het 'n 50% inhibisie teen 83 µg/mL teen die U251 GBM-sellyn getoon. Hierdie ekstrakte het geen sitotoksisiteit teen die Vero-sellyn getoon nie, wat ons as die normale kontrole-sellyn gemodelleer het. Nanopartikels (NP's) is gesintetiseer en gefunksionaliseer met ru-ekstrakte Mucor janssenii (P13) en Diaporthe rudis (R3.10) om die inhiberende effekte wat gefunksionaliseerde NP's op die GBM-sellyn kan hê, te bepaal. U251 GBM sellyn is behandel met die gefunksionaliseerde NPs teen konsentrasie reeks van 100 µg/mL tot 12.5 µg/ml. Die gefunksionaliseerde NP's het inhibisie slegs teen 100 µg/mL vertoon met beide Mucor janssenii (P13) en Diaporthe rudis (R3.10) gefunksionaliseerde NP's wat inhibisie van 60% en 65% respek toon. Ongeteikende metaboliet-profilering is uitgevoer met beide ru-ekstrakte P13 en R3.10 tesame met hul "bestede" fraksies van NP-funksionalisasie. Die huidige studie het tot die gevolgtrekking gekom en die belangrikheid van swamme as 'n reservoir van natuurlike produkte uitgelig.
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Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.
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