Fatty Acids Composition of Basidiocarps of Some Wood Associated Medicinal Mushrooms (Agaricomycetes) from India.

In this investigation, crude fat contents and fatty acid compositions of lipids present in the basidiocarps of widely distributed, medicinally important, wild mushrooms (Fuscoporia torulosa, Inonotus pachyphloeus, Phellinus allardii, Ph. fastuosus, Ph. gilvus and Ph. sanfordii) collected from different localities of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India were analyzed. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector was performed to identify and quantify the individual fatty acids present in the lipids of each mushroom. Mushrooms exhibited comparable amounts of crude fats with maximum content (0.35%) in Ph. sanfordii. The dominant fatty acid in the examined mushrooms was palmitic acid (C16:0). Oleic acid (C18:1n9c) and linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) exhibited maximum contents among the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), respectively. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in F. torulosa, I. pachyphloeus and Ph. fastuosus were at higher concentrations than unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Ph. allardii, Ph. gilvus and Ph. sanfordii exhibited greater amounts of UFAs compared with SFAs. Among UFAs, MUFAs dominated the polyunsaturated ones except for I. pachyphloeus and Ph. sanfordii. Of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the contents of ω6 PUFAs were higher than ω3 PUFAs except for Ph. gilvus. Interestingly, a single trans fatty acid, elaidic acid (C18:1n-9t) (0.54-2.34%) was noticed in F. torulosa, Ph. fastuosus and Ph. sanfordii only. The examined mushrooms also differed in UFAs/SFAs, MUFAs/SFAs, PUFAs/SFAs, ∑ω6/∑ω3 and (linoleic acid) C18:2n6c/(oleic acid) C18:1n9c ratios. The presence of essential and non-essential fatty acids may make the examined mushrooms befitting candidates for use in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Mineral Elements and Vitamins from Wild Wood Inhabiting Basidiocarps of Some Medicinal Mushrooms (Agaricomycetes) from India.

Mushrooms are rich in various nutrients and secondary metabolites. In this study, the contents of macroelements, trace elements, and some nonessential elements of wild basidiocarps of Fuscoporia torulosa, Inonotus pachyphloeus, Phellinus allardii, Ph. fastuosus, Ph. gilvus, and Ph. sanfordii (Hymenochaetaceae) collected from India was determined with wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Vitamins A, C, D2, and E (α-tocopherol) contents were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography and titration methods. Ph. gilvus contained the highest number (n = 21) and highest content of most of the elements. The mushrooms were rich in microelements, including Ca (80-2610 mg/kg dw), Cl (39.63-240 mg/kg dw), K (246.7-2620 mg/kg dw), Mg (96.6-500 mg/kg dw), Na (9.56-56 mg/kg dw), P (39.5-126.7 mg/kg dw), and S (69.37-170 mg/kg dw). Many trace elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Si, V, and Zn) and some nonessential elements (Al, Ba, Br, Rb, Sr, Ti, and Zr) were also detected in the mushroom species tested. There was a significant (P < 0.05) correlation (r > 0.9) between Al and Fe as well as Cu and Ti pairs. Correlation data provide an indication of interrelations between any two elements. Among vitamins, C (9.32 mg/100 g dw) and D2 (1.55 mg/100 g dw) were found in the highest amount in F. torulosa, while the lowest vitamin contents were present in Ph. fastuosus and Ph. allardii, respectively. Vitamins A and E were below the quantification limits. These results will be beneficial in deciding on the amount of these mushrooms in nutraceutical and drug formulations.

In Vitro and In Vivo Antihyperglycemic Activities of Medicinal Mushrooms (Agaricomycetes) from India.

Recent research focuses on exploring natural resources to improve the management of type 2 diabetes and to reduce the precarious health effects of synthetic drugs. This investigation aimed to appraise the antihyperglycemic potential of hydroalcoholic (70% ethanol) extracts of Inonotus pachyphloeus, Phellinus allardii, Ph. fastuosus, Ph. gilvus, Ph. sanfordii, and Ph. torulosus. Antihyperglycemic potential was screened using an in vitro inhibition of enzymatic starch digestion assay model. The amount of glucose liberation was determined using the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method. Mushroom extracts showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of α-amyalse and α-glucosidase and a consequent decrease in glucose liberation. Extracts of Ph. fastuosus (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 27.33 ± 1.45 mg/mL) and Ph. sanfordii (IC50 = 30.33 ± 0.88 mg/mL) causing comparable inhibition of α-amyalse and α-glucosidase and decreased glucose liberation were evaluated in vivo through oral starch tolerance and oral glucose tolerance tests using Wistar albino rats. Acarbose (10 mg/kg body weight) was used as a positive control. The extracts of Ph. fastuosus and Ph. sanfordii (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) showed a dose-dependent decrease in blood glucose concentration, and this decrease was greater in starch-fed rats than in glucose-loaded rats. Ph. fastuosus and Ph. sanfordii extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced postprandial hyperglycemic peaks in rats challenged with excess starch and glucose. This decrease was statistically comparable to acarbose with Ph. fastuosus extract (400 mg/kg body weight). Thus, it may be concluded that the antihyperglycemic effect of Ph. fastuosus and Ph. sanfordii is mediated by inhibition of starch digestion (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase). Hence, Ph. fastuosus and Ph. sanfordii can be developed as natural antidiabetic drugs after detailed pharmacological studies.

In Vitro Antioxidant Efficacy of Some Selected Medicinal Mushrooms from India.

Oxidative stress is strongly implicated in aging and in the progression of diseases. Antioxidants, especially of natural origin, are valued for their protective as well as curative health benefits. Numerous mushroom species have shown marked antioxidant effect. This can prove beneficial when mushrooms are used as nutraceuticals or for drug development. In the current investigation the antioxidant potential of some medicinal mushrooms, namely Inonotus pachyphloeus, Phellinus allardii, Ph. fastuosus, Ph. sanfordii and Ph. torulosus was examined employing different assays. The ethanol extracts of the fruiting bodies of these mushrooms were evaluated in vitro for scavenging potential against DPPH, hydroxyl radicals, superoxide radicals, as well as the reducing power. The free radical scavenging activity of mushroom extracts followed the trend of Ph. fastuosus > Ph. sanfordii > Inonotus pachyphloeus > Ph. torulosus > Ph. allardii. Ph. fastuosus and Ph. sanfordii extracts exhibited significant DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging activities, statistically (P < 0.05) comparable to each other and to the standard catechin. Ph. fastuosus extract (EC50 = 16 ± 1.15 µg/mL) showed the most significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activity even higher than the standard. In reducing power assay, Ph. torulosus extract (EC50 = 320 ± 0.02 µg/mL) exhibited the most significant reducing power statistically (P < 0.05) comparable with the reduced form of glutathione. The tested mushroom extracts were found to consist of appreciable amounts of carbohydrates, phenols and proteins. The free radical scavenging efficacy of the examined mushrooms showed positive correlation with their phenol content. These medicinal mushrooms are good natural antioxidants and can be incorporated in nutraceuticals/pharmaceuticals after detailed studies.

Investigations on Antioxidative Potential of Poroid Medicinal Mushroom Porodaedalea pini (Agaricomycetes).

The present investigations were undertaken to evaluate the antioxidative potential of Porodaedalea pini (Brot.) Murrill. Different solvent extracts were prepared using powdered basidiocarps to determine the total phenolic content in terms of tannic acid equivalents (TAE), hydroxyl, superoxide, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Maximum TAE (12.42 mg/g) were found in hot water (HW) extract, which was obtained for 1 h as compared to ethanol (0.456 mg/g) and methanol (0.227 mg/g) extracts. This was further supported by high hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (90.0%), superoxide radical scavenging activity (88.9%), and DPPH radical scavenging activity (74.92%) in the the HW extract obtained for 1 h. Mass spectra analysis of HW extract revealed the presence of 14 polyphenolic compounds responsible for imparting antioxidative character. Among these hispidulin is one of the major polyphenolic compounds present in the poroid mushroom under investigation; this was further validated by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis.

Evaluation of Antianxiety Potential of Four Ganoderma (Agaricomycetes) Species from India in Mice.

The genus Ganoderma consists of widespread polypore mushrooms that have traditionally been used to reduce stress and anxiety. However, scientific evidence for this is not adequate. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the anxiolytic potential of G. applanatum, G. brownii, G. lucidum, and G. philippii collected from Uttarakhand, India. Various extracts of dried, powdered basidiocarps were prepared using different solvents-namely, petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol, and distilled water-by successive Soxhlet extraction. All the extracts were tested for antianxiety activity using the elevated plus maze (EPM) model in Swiss albino mice. The results showed that the methanol extract of G. lucidum at a dose of 200 mg/kg, administered orally, shows a significant increase in the average time spent in the open arms of the EPM when compared with the control; this was comparable to the effect of the standard drug (diazepam, 2 mg/kg by mouth). This bioactive methanol extract was subjected to bioactivity-guided fractionation. The results show that the n-butanol fraction of the methanol extract evinced significant antianxiety activity at a dose of 100 mg/kg. This fraction showed the presence of phenols and flavonoids and thus was standardized with respect to total phenol content and total flavonoid content. The antianxiety activity may be the result of the phenols/flavonoids present. This study clearly demonstrated that the n-butanol fraction from the methanol extract of G. lucidum can be developed as source of new anxiolytic agents.