Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 31: 1887 - 1894. Published July 8, 2010.
In vivo antiviral activity, protease inhibition and brine shrimp lethality of selected Tanzanian wild edible mushrooms
Abdul W. Kidukuli1,2,3,4, Zakaria H. Mbwambo2, Hamisi M. Malebo3, Clarence A. Mgina1, Matobola J. Mihale4
1Department of Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35061, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
3Department of Traditional Medicine, National Institute for Medical Research, P.O. Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
4Department of Physical Sciences, Open University of Tanzania, P.O. Box 31608, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
ABSTRACT
In endeavor to have detailed account of nutritional, medicinal and pesticidal potentials of Tanzanian wild mushrooms, a study was conducted to assess the antiviral and protease activities of five edible species: Cantharellus platyphyllus and C. isabellinus from genus Cantharellus and Pleurotus djamour, P. sajor-caju and P. citrinopileatus from genus Pleurotus. Methanolic extracts were subjected to cytotoxicity lethality tests against Artemia salina Leach according to Meyer et al., (1982), in vivo antiviral tests using embryonated chicken eggs and protease tests using Screen to Nature methods. C. platyphyllus extracts had the highest cytotoxicity activity among Cantharellus species (LC50 = 7.846 µg/ml) and of all tested species. P. citrinopileatus extracts had highest cytotoxicity (LC50 = 12.807 µg/ml) among Pleurotus species. C. isabellinus and P. djamour extracts had stronger antiviral activities against both pox virus and infectious bursa disease virus. Other tested mushrooms showed moderate antiviral activities. All tested species showed non protease activities. While the Cantharellus species showed no protease inhibition property, Pleurotus species inhibited protein degradation similar to protease inhibitor. From these observations, the use of mushrooms as food and therapeutic substances particularly in HIV/AIDS infected persons is highly encouraged. It is recommended that further studies involving detailed biological activities (including antimicrobial, antioxidant and pesticidal activities) and determination of chemical compositions of Tanzanian wild edible mushrooms be done as the knowledge will contribute to the existing knowledge on these useful macro fungi.
Key words: wild mushrooms, antiviral activity, protease inhibitor, Tanzania, brine shrimp
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