Coprinus comatusfiltrate extract, a novel neuroprotective agent of natural origin

Abstract

In vitroacetylholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of an autochthonous sample of the mushroomCoprinus comatus(encompassing fruiting body FB, mycelia M and filtrate F from the submerged cultivation) was the subject of this study.C. comatusF extract exhibited rather potent anti-AChE activity (73.0 +/- 1.5%) atin liquidconditions, comparable to those of the conventional drug donepezil (80.6 +/- 1.4%). Also, the same extract exhibited high anti-AChE activity (1 mu g)in solid. While its FTIR spectrum indicated the presence of phenolic compounds, quercetin (28.1 mu g g(-1)d.w.) was found to affect the observed bioactivity (59.8 +/- 0.9%). This is the first report of profound anti-AChE activity of anyC. comatusextract, a medicinal mushroom that has been successfully cultivated in P.R. China, due to the demanding needs of food industry.