Antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer function of Engleromyces goetzei Henn aqueous extract on human intestinal Caco‐2 cells treated with t‐BHP

High body mass index (high BMI, obesity) is a serious public health problem, and “obesity‐induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer” have become modern epidemic diseases. We carried out this study to explore a functional beverage that may protect against obesity‐induced diseases. The Engleromyces goetzei Henn herbal tea is such a candidate. For this study, we carried out LC–MS analysis of E. goetzei Henn aqueous extract (EgH‐AE); then used the Caco‐2 cell line for the model cells and treated the cells with t‐BHP to form an oxidative stress system. An MTT assay was used for testing the biocompatibility and cytoprotective effects; reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde determination was used for evaluating the antioxidative stress effect; TNF‐α and IL‐1β were used for observing the anti‐inflammatory effect, and 8‐OHdG for monitoring anticancer activity. The results of this study demonstrate that the EgH‐AE has very good biocompatibility with the Caco‐2 cell line and has good cytoprotective, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer properties. It is clear that EgH‐AE, a kind of ancient herbal tea, may be used to develop a functional beverage that can be given to people with a high BMI to protect against obesity‐induced diseases. Engleromyces goetzei Henn (EgH) is a natural fungus that has been used as a traditional edible and medicine for long time in Southwest China. Our study found EgH aqueous extract (EgH‐AE) has very strong activities on antioxidant and anti‐inflammation. At the same time, we also found EgH‐AE has good biocompatibility and cell protective function, so it is biosafe, EgH‐AE may have the prospect of developing into functional beverage.