Wild mushroom Tylopilus felleus antioxidant, anticholinesterase and oxidant status and heavy metal contents

Abstract

Mushrooms play essential roles in natural ecosystems due to their ecological functions and bioactive potential, and many species are also valued for nutritional and medicinal purposes. In the present study, the antioxidant and oxidant status, anticholinesterase activity, and heavy metal contents of the fruiting bodies of the wild mushroom Tylopilus felleus (Bull.) P. Karst. were investigated. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were determined using Rel Assay commercial kits, and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated accordingly. Anticholinesterase activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) were evaluated based on the Ellman method, with galantamine used as a reference inhibitor. Heavy metal contents, including Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni, were quantified using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Agilent 240FS AA). The TAS, TOS, and OSI values of T. felleus were found to be 3.427±0.147, 20.512±0.266, and 0.601±0.031, respectively. Elemental analysis revealed Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni contents of 119.57±12.78, 21.07±1.69, 44.10±2.07, 2.89±0.47, and 0.82±0.011 mg/kg, respectively, all of which were within ranges reported in the literature. The mushroom extract exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against AChE (IC₅₀: 192.16 ± 3.15 μg/mL) and BChE (IC₅₀: 236.99±1.22 μg/mL) compared to galantamine. Overall, the findings suggest that T. felleus represents a potential natural source of antioxidant compounds with supplementary anticholinesterase activity.