Short Communication: Antiviral activity of Ribes uva-crispa L. extracts in vitro.

There is currently no approved vaccine or a useful antiviral drug against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that causes viral infection worldwide. Crude plant extracts can be an important resource for the development of new anti-RSV agents. In this study, cytotoxic and anti-RSV effect of the extracts Ribes uva-crispa, which has been known as "gooseberry" in Turkey and fruits used in the treatment of the various disorders, were evaluated by colorimetric XTT method. Results were expressed as 50% cytotoxicity (CC50), 50% effective concentration (EC50) and selectivity index (SI: CC50 / EC50). Of the tested extracts, the highest antiviral activity was found to be 96.90µg/mL EC50 and 11.70 SI from fruit aqueous extract; it was followed by leaf methanol extract (EC50: 2527.41µg/mL, SI: 6.55), leaf aqueous extract (EC50: 1093.37µg/mL, SI: 1.40) and fruit methanol extract (EC50: 11262.35µg/mL, SI: 0.56), respectively. As a result, we can say that these extracts, especially Ribes uva-crispa fruit aqueous and leaf methanol extracts, are worthy of further studies for the development of new and unique anti-RSV drugs.

Fomes fomentarius and Tricholoma anatolicum (Agaricomycetes) Extracts Exhibit Significant Multiple Drug-Resistant Modulation Activity in Drug-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells.

Multiple drug resistance is one of the main problems that hinder successful cancer chemotherapy. Investigations on the development of effective chemotherapeutic agents and drug resistance inhibitors motivate studies on the effects of natural compounds on drug-resistant cancer cells. For this purpose, aqueous, methanol, and ethanol extracts of Fomes fomentarius and Tricholoma anatolicum were prepared. The extracts were evaluated to assess their anticancer and multiple drug resistance modulation activities. Cytotoxic effects of F. fomentarius and T. anatolicum extracts on paclitaxel and vincristine resistant P-glycoprotein over-expressing MCF-7 cell lines were investigated by cytotoxicity test (XTT). P-glycoprotein reversing ability and MDR modulation effects of the extracts were determined by flow cytometry through Rhodamine 123 exclusion assay. Furthermore, 11 phenolic compounds in the extracts were characterized by HPLC. As a result of the cytotoxicity assay, IC50 values of the extracts for MCF-7/Vinc were between 1.08 and 1.80 mg/mL, and IC50 values for MCF-7/Pac were found between 1.11 and 2.83 mg/mL. Strikingly, methanol extract of F. fomentarius and ethanol extract of T. anatolicum have potential value to become MDR reversing agents for drug-resistant breast cancer cells.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Antiviral Activity of Some Mushrooms from Turkey.

Despite considerable recent work to reveal different features of mushrooms species, the few studies of antiviral activities are inadequate and therefore further studies are required. Morchella conica, M. esculenta, Terfezia boudieri, Pleurotus ostreatus, Tricholoma anatolicum, Fomes fomentarius, Laetiporus sulphureus, Phellinus igniarius, Porodaedalea pini, and Pyrofomes demidoffii from Turkey were investigated to reveal their in vitro cytotoxic and anti-herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) activities. The crude methanol extracts (MEs) and aqueous extracts (AEs) of fungal species and acyclovir (ACV) were used. Various dilutions were used to assess the cytotoxic effects of fungal species (50-0.10 mg/mL) and ACV (500-0.98 µg/mL) on uninfected Vero cells. Maximum nontoxic concentrations were determined for all extracts and ACV by comparing the optical densities of their cell controls. The concentration providing 50% protection against the cytopathic effect caused by the virus, extracts, and ACV (EC50) was calculated, and the half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50) and the selectivity index (SI) were determined, the latter as the ratio of CC50 to EC50. While the AEs of F. fomentarius (EC50, 11.22 mg/mL; SI > 4.46), Ph. igniarius (EC50, 9.71 mg/mL; SI > 5.15), and P. pini (EC50, 7.16 mg/mL; SI > 6.98) showed considerable antiherpetic activity, MEs and AEs of the other fungal species did not showed any effects. The EC50 and SI of ACV were determined as 0.20 µg/mL and 3085, respectively. The results demonstrate that F. fomentarius, Ph. igniarius, and P. pini have important anti-HSV-1 activity.

Biological activities and DNA interactions of Amanita ovoidea.

CONTEXT: Amanita ovoidea (Bull.) Link (Amanitaceae) is a well-known species due to its pleasant aroma and flavor since ancient times in the worldwide. This species is also known in Turkey and people consume it extensively. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate medicinal importance of A. ovoidea for human health, to explain the effect of mushroom extracts on bacterial DNA, and to find preventive role on bacterial disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chloroform, acetone, and methanol extracts of A. ovoidea were tested for the antimicrobial activities against four Gram-positive bacteria, five Gram-negative bacteria, and yeast using a micro-dilution method. In addition, DNA binding, DNA cleavage activity, and restriction enzyme digestion of the methanol extract of A. ovoidea were examined at different concentrations (40.000-78.125 µg/mL). RESULTS: The highest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value observed against the test micro-organisms was with the chloroform extract (MIC 19.5 µg/mL concentration) against Candida albicans. Other highest antimicrobial effects observed against the test micro-organisms were with the methanol extracts against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Salmonella enteritidis (MICs, 78 µg/mL concentrations). All concentrations reduced the mobility of plasmid DNA. BamHI and HindIII targeted specially to supercoils and cut them. Amanita ovoidea extract prevented cutting with HindIII by binding especially to the AA region in open circular DNA. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Present results demonstrated that A. ovoidea has excellent antimicrobial and antifungal activities by its DNA interaction activity on pBR322.

Determination of antimicrobial effect, antioxidant activity and phenolic contents of desert truffle in Turkey.

Terfezia boudieri Chatin (Scop.) Pers., is a famous macrofungus in the world as well as in Turkey for its pleasant aroma and flavour. People believe that this mushroom has some medicinal properties. Therefore, it is consumed as food and for medicinal purposes. Chloroform, acetone and methanol extracts of T. boudieri were tested to reveal its antimicrobial activity against four Gram-positive and five Gram-negative bacteria, and one yeast using a micro dilution method. In this study, the highest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was observed with the acetone extract (MIC, 4.8 µg/mL) against Candida albicans. Maximum antimicrobial effect was also determined with the acetone extract (MIC, 39-78 µg/mL). The scavenging effect of T. boudieri on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals was measured as 0.031 mg/mL at 5 mg/mL concentration, and its reducing power was 0.214 mg/mL at 0.4 mg/mL. In addition, the phenolic contents were determined as follows: the catechin was 20 mg/g, the ferulic acid was 15 mg/g, the p-coumaric acid was 10 mg/g, and the cinnamic acid was 6 mg/g. The results showed that T. boudieri has antimicrobial activity on the gram negative and positive bacteria as well as yeast, and it also has a high antioxidant capacity. Therefore, T. boudieri can be recommended as an important natural food source.

Antimicrobial activities of some mushrooms in Turkey.

CONTEXT: Terfezia boudieri Chatin (Pezizaceae), Agaricus brunnescens Peck (Agaricaceae) and Lactarius vellereus (Fr.) Fr. (Russulaceae) are well-known species in Turkey, and are used both for food and traditional medicine. OBJECTIVE: The powdered fruit bodies of T. boudieri, A. brunnescens and L. vellereus were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chloroform, acetone and methanol extracts of T. boudieri, A. brunnescens and L. vellereus were tested for their antimicrobial activities against four Gram-positive bacteria, five Gram-negative bacteria and yeast using a micro-dilution method. RESULTS: The strongest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value observed against the test microorganisms was with the chloroform extract of T. boudieri (MIC 2.4 µg/mL) against Streptococcus pyogenes. Maximum antimicrobial effects were observed with the acetone extracts of T. boudieri and L. vellereus (MIC 4.8 µg/mL) against Bacillus subtilis. The strongest antifungal activity was observed with the acetone extracts of T. boudieri (MIC 2.4 µg/mL) and A. brunnescens (MIC 19.5 µg/mL) against Candida albicans. The strongest MIC values for all fungal extracts were observed between 78 and 2.4 µg/mL. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Present results demonstrated that these three mushroom species have excellent antimicrobial and antifungal activities, and thus have great potential as a source for natural health products.

Biological activity and fatty acid composition of Caesar's mushroom.

CONTEXT: Due to its pleasant aroma and flavor, Amanita caesarea (Scop.) Pers. (Amanitaceae) has been a famous macrofungus since ancient times. This species is also well known in Turkey where people consume it extensively. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the medicinal importance of A. caesarea for human health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antioxidant capacity of A. caesarea was studied using the methods of a scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, ß-carotene-linoleic acid assay, reducing power and estimation of phenolics. Chloroform, acetone and methanol extracts of A. caesarea were tested for their antimicrobial activity against four Gram-positive bacteria, five Gram-negative bacteria and one yeast by applying a micro dilution method. The fatty acids were estimated via the method of gas chromatography analysis. RESULTS: The scavenging effect of A. caesarea on DPPH radicals was measured as 40.91% at 0.5 mg/mL concentration, and its reducing power was 0.451 mg/mL at 1.2 mg/mL concentration. The phenolics found were catechin (32.5 mg/g), ferulic acid (7 mg/g), p-coumaric acid (6 mg/g) and cinnamic acid (6.2 mg/g). The highest minimum inhibitory concentration observed against the test microorganisms were with the acetone extract (4.8 µg/mL concentration) against Candida albicans. Thirty-seven different fatty acids were determined from A. caesarea, and oleic acid (58%) was the dominant component. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Amanita caesarea had a high-antioxidant and -antimicrobial activity, and it also had important essential fatty acids required for human health. According to the results, this mushroom can be recommended as a major source of natural food.