Celal Bal

Mushrooms play essential roles in natural ecosystems due to their ecological functions and bioactive potential, and many species are also valued for nutritional and medicinal purposes. In the present study, the antioxidant and oxidant status, anticholinesterase activity, and heavy metal contents of the fruiting bodies of the wild mushroom Tylopilus felleus (Bull.) P. Karst. were investigated. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were determined using Rel Assay commercial kits, and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated accordingly. Anticholinesterase activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) were evaluated based on the Ellman method, with galantamine used as a reference inhibitor. Heavy metal contents, including Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni, were quantified using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Agilent 240FS AA). The TAS, TOS, and OSI values of T. felleus were found to be 3.427±0.147, 20.512±0.266, and 0.601±0.031, respectively. Elemental analysis revealed Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni contents of 119.57±12.78, 21.07±1.69, 44.10±2.07, 2.89±0.47, and 0.82±0.011 mg/kg, respectively, all of which were within ranges reported in the literature. The mushroom extract exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against AChE (IC₅₀: 192.16 ± 3.15 μg/mL) and BChE (IC₅₀: 236.99±1.22 μg/mL) compared to galantamine. Overall, the findings suggest that T. felleus represents a potential natural source of antioxidant compounds with supplementary anticholinesterase activity.

In this study, the biological activities of optimized extracts of Sparassis crispa, a medicinally important mushroom species, were comprehensively evaluated. Samples collected from Istanbul were extracted under specified conditions, and the optimization processes were performed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network-Genetic Algorithm (ANN-GA). The obtained extracts were analyzed for antioxidant activities, including Total Antioxidant Status (TAS), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI), as well as anticholinesterase activities based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition. In addition, their antiproliferative effects against A549, MCF-7, and DU-145 cancer cell lines and phenolic compound profiles determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were evaluated. The findings revealed that ANN-GA optimization provided higher antioxidant capacity than RSM, as reflected by increased TAS, DPPH, and FRAP values in the ANN-GA extract (3.614 mmol/L, 95.89 mg Trolox equivalents/g, and 142.45 mg Trolox equivalents/g, respectively) compared with the RSM extract (3.179 mmol/L, 86.76 mg Trolox equivalents/g, and 118.67 mg Trolox equivalents/g, respectively). In addition, the ANN-GA extract showed lower TOS and OSI values (8.192 µmol/L and 0.227, respectively) than the RSM extract (9.343 µmol/L and 0.294, respectively), together with stronger anticholinesterase activity and more pronounced antiproliferative effects. Moreover, the ANN-GA optimized extract contained higher levels of biologically important phenolic compounds, including gallic acid, caffeic acid, and protocatechuic acid. Overall, the results demonstrate that ANN-GA based optimization is an effective strategy for increasing the recovery of biologically functional molecules and suggest that S. crispa may represent a promising natural resource for functional food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological applications.

Mushrooms have constituted a wide research area as natural resources exhibiting medically important biological activities. This study aimed to investigate the biological activities of Leucoagaricus leucothites (Vittad.) Wasser mushroom comprehensively. Ethanol extract of the mushroom was obtained by Soxhlet extraction method. To determine the biological potential of the extract, total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) analyses were performed by Rel Assay kits. In addition, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzyme activities were measured to evaluate the anticholinesterase activity of the mushroom. A549 lung cancer cell line was used to determine the antiproliferative effect. The obtained data showed that the TAS value of L. leucothites was 6.109±0.078 mmol/L and the TOS value was 15.364±0.149 µmol/L. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated as 0.251±0.003. In terms of anticholinesterase activity, AChE inhibition value was found as 106.08±1.76 µg/mL, BChE inhibition value was found as 129.88±1.62 µg/mL. Antiproliferative effect increased in parallel with the increase in concentration, and this situation revealed that L. leucothites has a strong potential in terms of biological activities. These findings show that L. leucothites can be used in health supportive treatment approaches and can be a valuable source in pharmaceutical applications.

Mushrooms gained significant attention in the field of health due to their rich biochemical composition and strong antioxidant potential. In this study, the biological activities of Macrolepiota mastoidea mushroom were investigated. The total carbohydrate and protein contents of the mushroom and its antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and antiproliferative properties were evaluated. According to the obtained data, the total carbohydrate and total protein contents of M. mastoidea were determined as an important indicator for the biological activities of the mushroom. In addition, the high levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds revealed that the mushroom exhibited strong antioxidant activity. The results obtained in tests such as DPPH and FRAP show that M. mastoidea has a high capacity to neutralise free radicals. In enzyme inhibition tests, significant effects were observed on acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, amylase, and glucosidase, suggesting that the mushroom may provide potential benefits in the treatment of neurological diseases and diabetes. In addition, it was determined that the antiproliferative effect against A549 lung cancer cell line was dose-dependent. These findings indicate that M. mastoidea is a valuable biological resource that can be used in health areas such as antioxidant defense, enzyme modulation, and cancer treatment. Advanced molecular and cellular studies are recommended to better understand the mechanisms of this effect.

Mushrooms are one of the indispensable elements of human diets. Edible mushrooms stand out with their aroma and nutritional properties. In this study, some biological activities of the wild edible mushroom Hericium erinaceus were determined. In this context, firstly, the most suitable extraction conditions of the fungus in terms of biological activity were determined. First, 64 different experiments were performed with the Soxhlet device under 40–70 °C extraction temperature, 3–9 h extraction time, and 0.5–2 mg/mL extraction conditions. As a result, a total antioxidant status (TAS) analysis was performed, and the extraction conditions were optimized so that the objective function was the maximum TAS value. The data obtained from the experimental study were modeled with artificial neural networks (ANNs), one of the artificial intelligence methods, and optimized with a genetic algorithm (GA). All subsequent tests were performed using the extract obtained under optimum extraction conditions. The antioxidant capacity of the mushroom was assessed using Rel assay kits and the DPPH and FRAP techniques. The agar dilution method was used to measure the antimicrobial activity. The anti-Alzheimer activity was assessed based on the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The antiproliferative activity was assessed against the A549 cancer cell line. The total phenolic content was measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. The measurement of total flavonoids was conducted using the aluminum chloride test. LC-MS/MS equipment was used to screen for the presence of standard chemicals. The optimum extraction conditions were found to be a 60.667 °C temperature, 7.833 h, and 1.98 mg/mL. It was determined that the mushroom has high antioxidant potential. It was determined that the substance was successful at combating common bacterial and fungal strains when used at dosages ranging from 25 to 200 µg/mL. The high antiproliferative effect of the substance was attributed to its heightened concentration. The anti-AChE value was found to be 13.85 μg/mL, while the anti-BChE value was confirmed to be 28.00 μg/mL. The phenolic analysis of the mushroom revealed the presence of 13 chemicals. This investigation found that H. erinaceus exhibits robust biological activity when extracted under appropriate circumstances.

Mushrooms are natural products with many biological activities. In this study, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase activities and element levels of Lycoperdon pratense Pers. were determined. In this context, the mushroom was extracted with ethanol in a soxhlet device. Antioxidant potential was determined using Rel assay kits. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the agar dilution method. Antialzheimer activity was determined by acetyl- (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) potentials. The levels of elements accumulated in the mushroom were scanned using the wet digestion method. As a result of the analysis, the TAS value of the mushroom was measured as 2.589 ± 0.118 mmol Trolox equiv./L, the TOS value was 10.360 ± 0.197 µmol H2O2 equiv./L and the OSI value was 0.401±0.013. The mushroom extract was found to have high activity against bacteria. It was determined that the extract had an effect against microorganisms at concentrations between 50-400 μg/mL. It was determined that the anti-AChE IC50 value of the mushroom extract was 14.48 ± 0.80 μg/mL and the anti-BChE IC50 value was 23.10±1.21 μg/mL. It is also thought that it can be used as an indicator in terms of element levels within the mushroom. As a result, it was determined that the mushroom has antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiallergic potential.

Biological Activities of ethanol extracts of Hericium erinaceus obtained as a result of optimization analysis

Mushrooms, regarded as a significant component of the ecosystem, are utilised by individuals for various purposes. The present study aimed to investigate the biological activities of Agrocybe praecox (Pers.) Fayod, commonly referred to as the Spring Fieldcap mushroom. The ethanol extract of the mushroom was obtained with the Soxhlet apparatus. Subsequently, the quantification of total antioxidant, total oxidant, and oxidative stress index of the mushroom extract was conducted utilizing Rel Assay kits. The total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The agar dilution method was employed to assess the antimicrobial activity of the mushroom extract. The antiproliferative activity of the compound was assessed using A549 lung cancer cells. Elemental levels of the fungus were measured using the wet digestion method. The findings of the study revealed that the levels of the elements fell within the range reported in the existing literature. In addition, it was determined that the total antioxidant value was 2.97±0.08, the total oxidant value was 7.63±0.16, the oxidative stress index was 0.26±0.01, and the total phenolic content was 49.7±3.0 mg/g. It was found to be effective against microorganisms at concentrations between 50-200 µg/mL. Furthermore, it was ascertained that this mushroom exhibited antiproliferative activity, with the degree of activity being contingent upon the concentration of the extract. Consequently, it was determined that Agrocybe praecox exhibits potential as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer agent.

Microbial diseases have become quite common in recent years. The interest in new antimicrobial drugs is increasing due to the possible side effects of synthetic drugs and the emergence of resistant microorganisms due to unconscious antimicrobial drug use. Mushrooms have the potential to be used as a natural resource in the fight against microorganisms. In this context, in this study, the effects of different fungal species against different viral diseases were compiled in the literature. According to the findings, it has been reported in the literature that many different mushroom species are effective against Herpes virus (HSV-1, HSV-2, BoHV-1, HCMV), Influenza (A, B, H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H9N2) and Parainfluenza, Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), Poxvirus, Vaccinia virus, Poliovirus, Vesicular stomatitis viruses (VSV), Adenovirus, Syncytial virus (RSV), Dengue virus ( DENV-2), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis A, B, C virus, Feline calicivirus (FCV), Enterovirus, Coxsackievirus, Coronavirus, Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Tobacco Mosaic virus (TMV). In this context, it is thought that mushrooms can be a very important natural resource against viruses.