Evaluation of genotoxic and genoprotective effects of Agaricus bisporus extract on AmE-711 honey bee cell line in the Comet assay.

Authors: RAJKOVIC, MILAN - University Of Belgrade; STANIMIROVIC, ZORAN - University Of Belgrade; STEVANOVIC, JEVROSIMA - University Of Belgrade; RISTANIC, MARKO - University Of Belgrade; VEJNOVIC, BRANISLAV - University Of Belgrade; Goblirsch, Michael; GLAVINIC, UROŠ - University Of Belgrade

Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2022
Publication Date: 11/16/2022
Citation: Rajkovic, M., Stanimirovic, Z., Stevanovic, J., Ristanic, M., Vejnovic, B., Goblirsch, M.J., Glavinic, U. 2022. Evaluation of genotoxic and genoprotective effects of Agaricus bisporus extract on AmE-711 honey bee cell line in the Comet assay.. Journal of Apicultural Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2022.2146367.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2022.2146367

Interpretive Summary: Extracts made from mushrooms contain compounds that are beneficial to the health of humans and animals. These compounds have been shown to have numerous positive activities against disease, including some cancers and diabetes, as well as stimulate the immune system. Largely unexplored are the effects that mushroom extracts have on honey bees, a beneficial insect of global economic and environmental importance. Beekeepers are experiencing higher than normal death of their hives in many parts of the world. Pathogens, parasites, pesticides, and poor nutrition are contributing factors to this mortality. Interest in mushroom extracts as therapeutics against stressors that cause disease in honey bees is growing but requires further understanding of the effects on honey bee immunity, metabolism, and other physiological processes, particularly at the cell level. Here, a water extract made from Agaricus bisporus, a commonly cultivated mushroom, was tested for its effects on honey bee cells in culture. The AmE-711 continuous honey bee cell line was exposed to increasing concentrations of A. bisporus extract (100, 200, 400 µg/mL). A comet assay was then conducted to determine if exposure to the extract caused damage to the DNA of AmE-711 cells. Findings showed that exposure to the extract did not cause damage to honey bee cellular DNA. Furthermore, exposure to A. bisporus extract was found to reduce the amount DNA damage caused by hydrogen peroxide, a known inducer of DNA damage. These results will lead to further testing to determine whether A. bisporus extract can mitigate the negative effects of known stressors to honey bee cell health (e.g., pesticides). Moreover, successful demonstration of the comet assay on AmE-711 cells will lead to additional research assessing the impact of stressors on honey bee cellular DNA.

Technical Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate, for the first time, genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Agaricus bisporus on honey bee cell line AmE-711 using the comet assay. Three increasing concentrations of A. bisporus water extract (100, 200, 400 µg/ml) were tested. The cells in negative control group were not treated either with A. bisporus extract, or with H2O2, while in positive control group, DNA damage was induced with 100 µM H2O2. For antigenotoxic effect, tested extracts were mixed incubated with H2O2. None of the tested concentrations exerted genotoxic potential, but all showed antigenotoxic effect against H2O2 induced DNA damage. The concentration of 200'µg/mL A. bisporus extract was the most efficient in regard to its action against DNA damage. Based on our findings obtained on honey bee cell line AmE-711, we can conclude that A. bisporus extract did not demonstrate genotoxic effects, but showed promising antigenotoxic properties.