Biosynthetic Potential of Inonotus Obliquus in Symbiosis With Bacterial Cellulose: Optimisation and Prospects

  • Mikhail A Parshenkov Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7170-8783
  • Polina P Skovorodko Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5624-4731
  • Danila A Petrusevich Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2283-6372
  • Shagun N Makaeva Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3396-6684
  • Svetlana G Osipova Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6457-9543
  • Gumru Ibragimova Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0478-7137
  • Alexandra O Istyagina Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3295-8462
  • Kristina A Balaeva Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2930-6006
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/scriptamed56-57436
Keywords: Inonotus obliquus, Cellulose, bacterial, Antioxidants, Activity, Anti-inflammatory effects, Biotechnological cultivation, Phytochemicals

Abstract


Background/Aim: Inonotus obliquus, commonly known as the Chaga mushroom, is an extensively studied source of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, triterpenoids and polysaccharides. These metabolites exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, underscoring I obliquus as a valuable resource for advanced biopharmaceuticals and functional therapeutics. Yet, achieving consistent and high-yield biosynthesis of these compounds remains challenging. Aim of this study was to develop a biotechnological approach leveraging co-cultivation with the bacterial cellulose producer Gluconacetobacter hansenii to improve both the yield and stability of these bioactive metabolites.

Methods: I obliquus was cultivated on solid and liquid-phase substrates, with and without G hansenii co-cultivation. Biomass yield, morphological changes and growth dynamics were assessed. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and DPPH/ABTS assays. Anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated by measuring IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β levels in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages via ELISA.

Results: Co-cultivation with G hansenii resulted in a 1.8-fold increase in fungal biomass yield (30.6 g/L on HS medium) and a 1.3-fold enhancement in phenolic content (85.4 mg GAE/g) compared to monoculture. Extracts from HS medium exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 43.2 µg/mL in DPPH and 29.8 µg/mL in ABTS assays) and significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6 by 47.5 %, TNF-α by 42.8 % and IL-1β by 39.6 %) in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Morphological analysis revealed a denser, more organised fungal network under co-cultivation, suggesting improved metabolic efficiency and bioactive compound synthesis.

 

Conclusion: Co-cultivation with G hansenii provides a scalable and efficient strategy to enhance the bioactive potential of I obliquus. This approach significantly improves metabolite yield, antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory activity, opening new avenues for the development of standardised therapeutic formulations targeting oxidative stress and immune modulation.

 

Author Biographies

Mikhail A Parshenkov, Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia

Researcher at Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

Polina P Skovorodko, Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia

PhD Candidate at the Department of Biotechnology, A.P. Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy, First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)

Danila A Petrusevich, Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia

PhD Candidate at the Department of Biotechnology, A.P. Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy, First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)

Shagun N Makaeva, Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia

Student of the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)

Svetlana G Osipova, Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia

Student of the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)

Gumru Ibragimova, Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia

Student of the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)

Alexandra O Istyagina, Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia

Student of the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)

Kristina A Balaeva, Laboratory of Histology and Immunohistochemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119048, Trubetskaya St., 8/2, Moscow, Russia

Student of the N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University)

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Published
2025/04/30
Issue
Vol. 56 No. 2 (2025): Mar-Apr
Section
Original article
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