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Screening for selective thrombin inhibitors in mushrooms
1Department of Phrmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. bojan.doljak@ffa.uni-lj.si
Summary
Mushroom extracts were screened for thrombin inhibitors. Gleophyllum odoratum showed high activity, with other species also demonstrating significant thrombin inhibition, suggesting potential for new anticoagulant drug discovery.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Mycology
Background:
- Thrombin is a critical enzyme in blood coagulation and a target for anticoagulants.
- Mushrooms are a source of pharmacologically active compounds, prompting investigation for novel thrombin inhibitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen extracts from 95 Basidiomycete mushroom species for inhibitory activity against thrombin and trypsin.
- To identify mushroom species with potent thrombin inhibitory properties for further drug development.
Main Methods:
- Mushroom extracts were tested for enzyme inhibition using chromogenic substrates S-2238 for thrombin and BAPNA for trypsin.
- Inhibitory percentages were quantified for extracts against both enzymes.
Main Results:
- Most mushroom extracts exhibited varying degrees of inhibition against thrombin and trypsin.
- Gleophyllum odoratum showed high inhibition for both thrombin (72%) and trypsin (60%).
- Several species, including Clitocybe gibba and Amanita virosa, potently inhibited thrombin (up to 49%) with no trypsin activity.
Conclusions:
- Mushroom extracts, particularly from Gleophyllum odoratum, Clitocybe gibba, and Amanita virosa, show promise as sources of novel thrombin inhibitors.
- These findings support further research into developing safe and effective anticoagulant drugs from fungal natural products.