MEDICAL BOTANY - A.G. Serbin - 2003

SECTION 3. SYSTEMATICS

KINGDOM FUNGI — FUNGI

PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA — BASIDIOMYCOTA

Class Basidiomycetes — Basydiomycetes

About 30,000 species are widely distributed globally, frequently forming symbiotic associations with higher plants or acting as parasites (xylotrophs), while some are cultivated as edibles. Reproduction occurs via fragments of mycelium, conidiospores, and basidiospores, which develop in the external structures of fruiting bodies known as basidia (Fig. 3.115, B) that form part of the hymenophore or basidial layer. Hymenophores vary in type and consist of spine-like outgrowths, lamellae (gills), or tubes (Fig. 3.115, C). The mycelium of Basidiomycetes is septate and occurs in two forms: primary (haploid), which develops from basidiospores, and the dominant secondary (dikaryotic) form, which arises following somatogamy, undergoes division and differentiation, and ultimately forms the fruiting body, or basidiocarp (Fig. 3.116). Fruiting bodies exhibit diverse shapes and coloration, and may possess leathery, woody, fleshy, or other textural consistencies. In certain groups, such as agaric (cap) Fungi, the body is differentiated into a stipe (stalk) and a cap.

Class="center">Fig. 3.115. Basidia and hymenophores: A — Development of the basidium; B — types of basidia: 1 — holobasidium, 2 — heterobasidium, 3 — phragmobasidia; C — Structure OF THE hymenophore: a — paraphyses; b — cystidium; c — basidium; d — basidiospores; D — types of hymenophores: 4 — tubular; 5 — spine-like; 6 — lamellate

Fig. 3.116. Life Cycle of an agaric fungus: 1 — basidiospores; 2 — germination of basidiospores into primary mycelium; 3 — somatogamy; 4 — growth of secondary mycelium; 5 — fruiting body: a — stipe; b — cap; c — basidia with basidiospores

The Cell walls of higher basidiomycetes are distinguished by a high content of Biopolymers—Chitin and glucans. This characteristic holds significant promise for medicine, numerous industrial sectors, and agriculture. Additionally, The Cell wall composition includes Proteins, Lipids, melanin, and Other Compounds. The capacity of chitin to form complexes with heavy metals, combined with the large specific surface area of chitin microfibrils, transforms the fungal cell wall into a unique biosorbent for heavy Metal Ions and radionuclides. Glucans participate in the Intracellular Transport of Substances and the removal of Metabolic waste products, while also exhibiting antitumor and immunomodulatory activity. Currently, a group of soil micromycetes functioning as biodestructors capable of absorbing ¹⁴C from radioactive graphite is under active investigation in Ukraine.

The fruiting bodies, mycelium, and culture filtrate of xylotrophic fungi belonging to the genera Pleurotus, Panus, Lentinus, Flammulina, Phomitopsis, Phizopus, Phellinns, Fomes, Inonotus, and others contain various Enzymes and organic acids, including formic, acetic, butyric, oxalic, citric, itaconic, benzoic, and hydroxybenzoic acids. Certain preparations derived from these fungi facilitate the lysis of human Blood thrombi, inhibit the growth of parasitic fungi, and exert other beneficial effects. Larch bracket (Fomes officinalis) (Fig. 3.117, 1) is utilized in the Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, tuberculosis, and jaundice. The sporeless, sterile form of the tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius — Inonotus obliquus (chaga mushroom) (Fig. 3.117, 3) develops within cracks in birch bark as nodular, black growths, and serves as a source for anticancer medications. The mucous membrane ("earth oil") of the young stinkhorn fungus (Fig. 3.117, 4) is effective against rheumatism. Antibacterial properties are characteristic of certain bracket fungi and agaric species such as the common funnel mushroom, honey fungus, cultivated mushroom, and puffball. Species containing significant amounts of melanin (Torula herbatum, Mycelia sterilia) are employed in wastewater treatment to remove petroleum products. Numerous basidiomycete species are edible: the slippery jack, milk-cap, porcini (cep), meadow mushroom, birch bolete, red-cap scaber stalk, saffron milk-cap, chanterelle, oyster mushroom, and others (Fig. 3.117, 4–9). Conversely, highly lethal poisonous mushrooms also exist within this group (Fig. 3.117, 10–12).

Fig. 3.117. Representatives of basidiomycetous fungi: 1–3 — bracket fungi: larch bracket, tinder fungus, chaga; 4–9 — edible agaric fungi: 4 — stinkhorn; 5 — funnel mushroom; 6 — porcini mushroom; 7 — milk-cap; 8 — chanterelle; 9 — oyster mushroom; 10–12 — poisonous fungi: 10 — death cap; 11 — fly agaric; 12 — false honey fungus

In modern biotechnology, The production of medicinal preparations based on basidiomycetous macromycetes utilizes fruiting bodies, mycelial biomass, and metabolites extracted from nutrient media during artificial cultivation. In recent years, biotechnologists have focused considerable attention on the edible Japanese black mushroom, or shiitake — Lentinus edodes. The compounds it produces exhibit oncostatic, anti-sclerotic, and antioxidant activities, induce interferon production, and suppress Influenza Viruses. Alkaloid-based preparations derived from shiitake strengthen the myocardium and reduce blood Cholesterol levels. Polysaccharide fractions extracted from fungal biomass demonstrate immunomodulatory activity. This fungus is cultivated artificially on grapevine Processing waste and via submerged cultivation in liquid media. Pleurotus ostreatus and Flammulina velutipes are similarly cultivated as sources of biologically active Polysaccharides, as they enhance human immunogenesis, reduce vascular tone, and stimulate tissue regeneration. In Western medicine, the edible lignotrophic fungus Hericium erinaceum has long been utilized; powder derived from its fruiting bodies is processed into tablets for the treatment of oncological diseases and inflammatory Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Antitumor activity is also exhibited by the culture filtrate of the xylophytic fungus Gloeophyllum sepiarium.