Bioactive properties of Clitocybe geotropa and Clitocybe nebularis

We studied neuroprotective, antioxidative, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of acetone extracts of Clitocybe geotropa and Clitocybe nebularis. The ability of extracts to inhibit acetylcholinesterase was tested in order to examine neuroprotective potential of selected mushroom species. DPPH, superoxide anion and reducing power assays were used in assessing the antioxidative potential of studied mushrooms. Total phenolics content was estimated as pyrocatechol equivalent. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated through microdilution method. MTT assay was utilized in determining the cytotoxic activity of extracts. The results demonstrated that studied extracts express relatively strong neuroprotective, antioxidative, antimicrobial and moderate cytotoxic activity. The results of acetylcholinesterase inhibition for Clitocybe geotropa were in range 46.95–14.82% and for Clitocybe nebularis 36.73–12.49%. DPPH assay’s IC50 for Clitocybe geotropa were 246.58 μg/mL and for Clitocybe nebularis 46.49 μg/mL. IC50 in superoxide anion assay was 151.36 μg/mL for Clitocybe geotropa and 35.69 μg/mL for Clitocybe nebularis. In reducing power assay the absorbance for Clitocybe geotropa was in range 0.0708–0.0132 and for Clitocybe nebularis 0.0324–0.0141. Total phenolics content of Clitocybe geotropa was 95.71 µg PE/mg and of Clitocybe nebularis 93.94 µg PE/mg. MIC values for Clitocybe geotropa were in range 0.78–25 mg/mL and for Clitocybe nebularis 3.12–25 mg/mL. Cytotoxic activity of extracts was moderate, IC50 values for Clitocybe geotropa ranged from 124.2 to 155.3 μg/mL and for Clitocybe nebularis from 134.03 to 199.03 μg/mL. Both mushroom species are edible and can be referred to as functional food.