Screening for Bioactivities of Wild Hymenopellis spp., and Volvariella pulla in Thailand

This study investigates the potential medicinal properties of EtOAc and MeOH mycelial extracts obtained from Hymenopellis species and Volvariella pulla. The extracts were subjected to rigorous analysis to assess their inhibitory effects on bacterial growth, especially against opportunistic pathogens such as M. luteus and C. albicans. The study also unveils the antibacterial activity of the Hymenopellis taxa for the first time. Furthermore, the research reveals potent inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidases exhibited by EtOAc extracts of Hymenopellis sp. T20-0713, H. utriformis T20-0715, and Volvariella pulla T20-0714. This inhibition mechanism has implications for glucose absorption, vital for controlling blood glucose levels and managing diabetes. Notably, the EtOAc extracts displayed lower half-maximal inhibitory concentrations than standard acarbose, enhancing their potential therapeutic significance. Intriguingly, MeOH extracts from Hymenopellis sp. T20-0713, H. utriformis T20-0715, and Volvariella pulla T20-0714 exhibited the capacity to promote glucose uptake in L6 cells, a crucial component of diabetes management. Considering the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and microbial infections, observed antidiabetic potential and antibacterial activity of these mushroom extracts hold promise for future therapeutic applications. The study not only contributes to understanding the medicinal properties of Hymenopellis and Volvariella but also underscores the significance of further research to explore their mechanisms and optimize their application in clinical contexts. Moreover, the absence of cytotoxicity in non-tumour cells may confirm the safety of Hymenopellis spp. and Volvariella pulla extracts for consumption.