Fungal Melanin as a Potential Geroprotector: First In Vitro Insights

Natural compounds possess significant potential for pharmacological applications. This study investigates melanin derived from birch heartwood polymerized with the mycelium of fungus Fomes fomentarius and its fruiting body, for its potential geroprotective properties. The cytotoxicity and proliferative effects of the studied compound, Amelan, were evaluated using the immortalized human foreskin fibroblasts (BJ-5ta) and human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cell lines through the MTT assay and cell counting with a Goryaev chamber. To assess the geroprotective properties of the compound, an accelerated aging model was induced with D-galactose in primary human dermal fibroblast cultures. Senescent cell populations were identified through cytochemical staining for senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal). Amelan exhibited a dose-dependent geroprotective effect, significantly reducing senescent cell populations at optimal concentrations. Importantly, the compound did not stimulate proliferation in either immortalized BJ-5ta fibroblasts or MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, suggesting no oncogenic activation potential. In light of the demonstrated geroprotective effects of Amelan, its concentration-dependent efficacy underscores the importance of dosage optimization to maximize therapeutic benefits while minimizing adverse effects. Further research is needed to evaluate its potential as a candidate for anti-aging therapy.