Biological activities of the lignicolous fungus Meripilus giganteus (Pers.: Pers.) Karst.

Abstract

Crude extracts (methanolic-ME andwater-WE) of the fungus Meripilus giganteus (Pers.: Pers.) Karst. were analyzed for their antioxidative, antibacterial, cytotoxic, neurotoxic, and hemolytic activities using tests in vitro. The highest scavenging activity was exhibited by WE on OH? radicals, showing a 50% effective concentration (EC50) at 292.83?2.5 ?g/ml and ferric-reducing ability at 14.24?2.9 mg eq of ascorbic acid per g of dried extract (mg/g).An anti?bacterial effect was detected mostly against Gram-positive strains of bacteria. Toxicity assays exhibited higher effects for ME, reaching EC50=403.43?5.8 ?g/ml against estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7); 50% hemolytic activity at a concentration of 30?0.03 ?g/ml against erythrocytes; andEC50=4.5?0.05 mg/ml for acetyl cholinesterase-inhibitory activity. These results suggest possible use of this fungus as a new source of pharmaceuticals.