Abstract
In a last few decades mushrooms are increasingly attracting attention as functional food and sources of biologically active compounds. Several Trametes species have been used for centuries in traditional medicine of East Asia cultures, but only T. versicolor was studied sufficiently while there are less substantial data about medicinal properties of other species. Trametes versicolor, T. hirsuta and T. gibbosa were the species tested for biological activities. Antifungal potentials of extracts were assessed for clinical strains of selected Candida and Aspergillus species. ABTS and FRAP assays were used to evaluate antioxidant capacities of studied extracts. Cytotoxic activity was determined against human cervix and lung adenocarcinoma and colon carcinoma cell lines. Antineurodegenerative activity was assessed by determining the rate of acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase activity. The presence of metabolites in extracts of mycelia and basidiocarps of studied Trametes species was analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Studied extracts showed low antifungal potential in comparison with ketoconazole. Basidiocarp extracts were more effective ABTS+ scavengers and Fe2+ reducers than mycelium ones but less effective in comparison with L-ascorbic acid. Results showed that mycelium extracts had stronger cytotoxic effects against three cancer cell lines than basidiocarp ones, and that cervix adenocarcinoma cells were the most sensitive to the extracts and commercial cytostatics. T. versicolor mycelium extract was the most effective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase activity but double weaker than galantamine, and T. gibbosa mycelium extract was significantly better inhibitor of tyrosinase activity than kojic acid for 40.9%. Chemical analysis indicated strong synergistic action of triterpenes, sugars and polyphenols in applied assays. The results suggest that tested Trametes species have significant medicinal potentials which could be attributed to antioxidative and cytotoxic activity. Additionally both, basidiocarps and mycelia extracts can strongly inhibit activity of acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase.
Highlights
Mushrooms have an established history of use as healthy food or for preparations in traditional medicine of both the Western and Eastern cultures, but their great pharmacological potential is still underutilized [1]
Small fragment of each fresh fruiting body was extracted on Malt agar medium (MA) for isolation of pure cultures of T. gibbosa BEOFB 310, T. hirsuta BEOFB 301 and T. versicolor BEOFB 321, which are maintained in the Culture Collection of the Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade (BEOFB) (Table 1)
Later, using microdilution method, Sivaprakasam et al [29] and Hleba et al [30] showed that T. versicolor fruiting body extract inhibited the growth of C. albicans (MIC was higher than 1.0 mg/mL), that A. flavus, A. fumigatus and A. niger were slightly sensitive to methanolic and aqueous extracts of T. hirsuta basidiocarps, and that methanolic extracts had higher antifungal potential compared with aqueous but still significantly weaker in comparison with commercial antimycotic
Summary
Mushrooms have an established history of use as healthy food or for preparations in traditional medicine of both the Western and Eastern cultures, but their great pharmacological potential is still underutilized [1]. Among nearly 60 described Trametes species just a few are screened for their medicinal properties since records confirmed their use in traditional Chinese medicinal practice for removing toxins, treatment of various infections, strengthening, energy increasing, improvement of liver and spleen function and enhancing of the immune response [2]. Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Lloyd whose folk names are Turkey Tail (Western cultures), Yun-Zhi (China), or Kawaratake (Japan), is the most commonly used species from the genus whose whole fruiting bodies are used for tonic or tea preparation [2]. Some reports implied traditional usage of polypore mushroom fruiting bodies for increasing memory and improvement of mental functions [4]. Extensive and controlled in vitro researches reported antiviral and antioxidant activity of polysaccharopeptides isolated from Trametes spp. fruiting body extracts [5, 6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
