Antiprotozoal Activity of Mycelial Extracts of Several Medicinal Agaricomycetes Mushrooms against Giardia duodenalis

Despite the knowledge of the therapeutic properties of fungal bio- compounds, few studies have been reported on their anti-parasitic activities. The anti- parasitic activity (APA) of mycelial extracts from seven medicinal agaricomycetous mushrooms (Polyporus lipsiensis, Ganoderma applanatum, Pleurotus ostreatus, P. flabellatus, Oudemansiella canarii, Lentinula edodes and Pycnoporus sanguineus) against Giardia duodenalis, and identification of chemical compounds produced by mycelium P. lipsiensis mycelium have been reported. The extracts of mycelia and fermented culture broths of tested mushroom species were evaluated against G. duodenalis by biological assays. P. lipsiensis showed the highest APA. The chemical analysis of mycelial extract of P. lipsiensis by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 73 molecules, such as steroids, terpenes, and lipids. According to literature data, among these molecules, 11 possess APA. The present study revealed the diversity of compounds with anti-protozoal potential produced by mycelia of Agaricomycetes mushrooms, particularly P. lipsiensis against G. duodenalis.