Comparative study on the therapeutic potential of aqueous extracts from commercially cultivated Agaricus bisporus and Lentinula edodes in Sri Lanka: antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties

BACKGROUND: Mushrooms have long been recognized as rich sources of bioactive compounds. Among edible mushrooms, Agaricus bisporus and Lentinula edodes are highly valued for their nutritional and medicinal profiles. However, the therapeutic potential of their aqueous extracts, particularly those from mushrooms cultivated under Sri Lanka’s distinct agroclimatic conditions, remains underexplored, requiring a detailed investigation. METHODS: Commercially cultivated A. bisporus and L. edodes mushrooms were processed into powders, and aqueous extracts were prepared, followed by freeze-drying. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated via DPPH, FRAP, nitric oxide inhibition, and superoxide scavenging assays. Cytotoxicity was tested in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cancer cell lines via a MTT assay, and morphological changes were examined microscopically. The antidiabetic activity was determined via an antiglycation assay, whereas the antibacterial efficacy was tested against six bacterial strains via the disc diffusion and agar dilution methods. RESULTS: L. edodes extract showed higher antioxidant activity compared to A. bisporus, with lower EC₅₀ values for DPPH (0.20 ± 0.01 mg/mL vs. 0.24 ± 0.01 mg/mL), superoxide (0.42 ± 0.01 mg/mL vs. 1.38 ± 0.08 mg/mL), and nitric oxide inhibition (3.26 ± 0.01 mg/mL vs. 8.79 ± 0.07 mg/mL), along with higher FRAP values (51.56 ± 0.74 vs. 23.83 ± 1.25 mg Trolox·g⁻¹ extract). In cytotoxicity assays, L. edodes exhibited stronger anticancer activity against RD cells (IC₅₀ = 1.75 ± 0.01 mg/mL) than A. bisporus (IC₅₀ = 12.03 ± 0.24 mg/mL). L. edodes extract also had higher antiglycation activity (EC₅₀ = 131.62 ± 0.63 µg/mL) than A. bisporus extract (EC₅₀ = 339.72 ± 1.89 µg/mL) Antibacterial assays revealed that L. edodes inhibited all six tested bacterial strains, whereas A. bisporus showed no inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Both A. bisporus and L. edodes extracts showed marked antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities. Compared to A. bisporus, L. edodes demonstrated higher activities and showed antibacterial effects. These findings underscore the potential of both mushrooms as valuable sources for therapeutic and nutraceutical development. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.