Cytotoxic and cyto-protective activities of four Thai indigenous Russula mushroom extracts on RAW 264.7 cells

Abstract

Keywords: Russula; mushroom; cytotoxicity; cyto-protectivity, RAW 264.7

Objectives: This study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and cyto-protecitve activities of ethanolic extracts from four selected Russula mushrooms; R. medullata, R. virescens, R. helios and
R. alboaerolata on RAW 264.7 cell line.
Methods: Four Russula mushrooms extracts including R. medullata, R. virescens, R. helios and
R. alboareolata were prepared individually by maceration with 95% ethanol. Then, their cytotoxicity and cyto-protecitve activities on RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells were determined using water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay. Results were expressed as 50% lethal concentration (LC50) value percentage of cell viability following 24 hours exposure time.
Results: The four ethanolic extracts of Russula mushrooms indicated a slight cytotoxic activity on RAW 264.7 cell line as follows: R. medullata (IC50 = 484.44 ± 07.43 μg/ml), R. virescens (IC50 = 907.14 ± 52.37 μg/ml), R. helios (IC50 = 541.78 ± 14.35 μg/ml) and R. alboareolata (IC50 = 760.05 ± 28.95 μg/ml). Interestingly, the only extract from R. alboareolata at 125 μg/ml exhibited the cyto-protective activity by enhancing the survival of RAW 264.7 cells when treated with presence of known mutagen agent (mitomycin C, MMC, 10 μg/ml).
Conclusion: The results from this study revealed that extracts of R. medullata, R. virescens, R. helios and R alboareolata possessing a slight cytotoxic. Among these, R. alboareolata expressed cyto-protective property against MMC toxicity. The findings on these Russula mushrooms activities can be used to support the utilisation of Russula mushrooms for a healthy dietary supplement.