GC-MS Profiling and in vitro Bioactivity Assessment of Ethanolic Extract of the Macrofungus Phellinus rimosus (Berk.) Pilát

Abstract

Introduction: Development of pharmaceutical agents from natural sources like mushrooms has been a hot spot of research due to their clinical efficacy and low toxicity. Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat, a wood-rotting macrofungus found growing exclusively on jackfruit tree trunks in Kerala, India, is a less-explored medicinal mushroom and was reported to be traditionally used by local tribes to treat mumps.

Objectives: This investigation was carried out to characterise the active principles present in the ethanolic extract of P. rimosus and to evaluate its in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities.  

Methods: Ethanolic extract was prepared from sporocarps of  P.rimosus, and analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to characterise the active principles present in it. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed through Cyclooxygenase (COX), Lipoxygenase (LOX), and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) inhibition assays. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using the Total Antioxidant Capacity Assay (TACA) and Total Reducing Power Assay (TRPA). The antidiabetic potential was studied via yeast glucose uptake and α-Amylase inhibitory assays.

Results: GC-MS analysis of the ethanolic extract from P. rimosus identified major constituents as Dotriacontane, Diethyl Phthalate, n-Hexadecanoic acid,  Tetradecanoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester, and Azulene, along with other active compounds in moderate and lower concentrations. The extract showed significant inhibition for COX, LOX, and iNOS, at a rate of 62.02%, 62.47%, and 54.01%, respectively, at 100 μg/ml. TACA and TRPA showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity of P.rimosus. Although the extract did not enhance glucose uptake in vitro, it showed significant α-Amylase inhibition, suggesting its antidiabetic effect.

Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of P. rimosus showed profound pharmacological potential due to the presence of bioactive components profiled by GC-MS.  The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power may be responsible for its anti-diabetic activities. This investigation showed that P. rimosus could serve as a promising source for developing safe natural therapeutics.