Mustafa Sevindik

Study on determination of bioactive potentials of certain lichens

Lichens are symbiotic associations that are formed by fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. The number of lichen species investigated pharmaceutically is still very low at present. The present study aims to determine the antioxidant activities, antibacterial activities, DNA protective activities, and oxidative stress status of Bryoria fuscescens (Gyeln.) Brodo & D. Hawksw., Parmelina tiliacea (Hoffm.) Hale, and Umbilicaria decussata (Vill.) Zahlbr. Lichens were extracted with ethanol in the Soxhlet device. The DPPH method was used to determine antioxidant activities. DNA protective activity was determined using pBR322 supercoil DNA. Antibacterial activity was determined with dilution test on 5 different species of bacteria (Enterocossus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus). Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were defined with Rel Assay Diagnostics kits. It was observed that DPPH free radical scavenging activities in lichen ethanol extracts increased with increasing concentration. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in B. fuscescens and the lowest activity was determined in U. decussata. It was also determined that the ethanol extracts of all lichen samples had DNA-protective activity. The highest antibacterial activity was detected in B. fuscescens, while the lowest activity was detected in U. decussata. It was determined that B. fuscescens had the highest oxidative stress index and U. decussata had the lowest value. It appears that the ethanol extracts of the lichen samples utilized in the study could be used as an alternative and complementary resource in medical treatment.

Geastrum pectinatum as an Alternative Antioxidant Source with some Biochemical Analysis

The present study aimed to determine and compare total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu and Ni content of Geastrum pectinatum Pers. mushroom that was collected in different areas in Antalya province (Geyikbayiri and Termessos National Park). TAS, TOS and OSI values were measured using Rel Assay kits. Heavy metal content was determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometry using the wet decomposition method. Study findings demonstrated that samples collected in Termessos National Park had more suitable heavy metal and oxidative stress conditions when compared to those collected in Geyikbayiri. Furthermore, it was considered that due to the high TAS values, the said mushroom could be consumed as a natural antioxidant source in alternative medicine.

Heavy metals content and the role of Lepiota cristata as antioxidant in oxidative stress

Mushrooms have been significant natural sources over the years due to their taste, economic and ecological significances, as well as their medical properties.1 Mushrooms contain several essential amino acids as well as vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, ergosterol and niacin).2,3 Mushrooms can be considered functional nutrients that provide health benefits due to their medical properties in addition to their nutritional value. It was reported that several mushrooms possess antioxidant properties as well. Mushroom organism also contains antioxidant compounds such as phenolics, polysaccharides, tocopherols, flavonoids, carotenoids, glycosides, ergothioneine and ascorbic acid.3–5 Due to these compounds, mushrooms are natural antioxidant sources that alleviate the effects of oxidative stress induced by oxidant compounds in living organisms. Thus, the determination of antioxidant potential of mushrooms is very important for the identification of new natural resources that could be used against diseases induced by oxidative stress. Mushrooms are significant saprotrophic organisms in addition to their use as medical and nutritional sources. Mushrooms store several elements based on the substrate content in their habitat. Due to these properties, mushrooms could also be used as pollution indicators. Thus, the pollution in their habitats could be detected by identifying the elements accumulated in this organisms.6 In their natural habitat, the fruiting bodies of L. cristata are scattered or clustered over the land and they are usually observed in late summer or early fall. L. cristata is a saprophyte that commonly grows in paths, ditches, lawns, roads, gardens and roadsides.7 In the present study, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni content were determined in L. cristata (Bolton) P. Kumm ethanol extracts.

New Approaches in Traditional and Complementary Alternative Medicine Practices: Auricularia auricula and Trametes versicolor

Several mushroom species are consumed by collecting from the nature or in cultured form for their nutritional and medical characteristics. The objective of the present study is to determine antioxidant activities, DNA-protective activities, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress indices (OSI) and Fe, Mg, Zn, Cu, Na and Ca content in Auricularia auricula (L.) Underw. and Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd mushroom species. Mushroom ethanol extracts were obtained and antioxidant activities with DPPH method, TAS, TOS and OSI values with Rel Assay Diagnostics kits, and DNA protective activities using pBR322 supercoil DNA were identified. Furthermore, Fe, Mg, Zn, Cu, Na and Ca contents were determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It was determined that antioxidant potential of mushroom ethanol extracts were low compared to the standard and they did not have DNAprotective activities. It was also observed that the mushrooms have variable element content, and have similar TAS, TOS and OSI levels. High OSI values found in both mushroom species showed that these mushroom are unhealthy. Thus, it was recommended to demonstrate caution in consumption of mushrooms collected in these regions. However, it was also considered that the mushroom samples collected from regions with adequate OSI values could be used as antioxidant.

Fomitopsis pinicola in healthful dietary approach and their therapeutic potentials

Certain macrofungi species have been used for medical purposes and as nutrients since the old times. The present study aims to determine and compare total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) values, and Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni levels in Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst samples gathered in Balikesir province Kazdagi National Park and Yalova province Cinarcik Hasan Baba Woods in Turkey. TAS, TOS, and OSI values of mushroom samples were measured with Rel Assay kits. Mushroom heavy metal content was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and wet decomposition procedure. In the samples collected from Cinarcik district, OSI values were 0.99±0.03, while in the samples collected from Kazdagi National Park, OSI values were 0.13±0.01. Fe content in the samples collected from Cinarcik district were 265.9±70.5 ppm, while Fe content in the samples collected from Kazdagi National Park were 31.31±1.43 ppm. As a result, it is considered that the mushrooms c...