Biological Activities and Phenolic Composition of Amanita ovoidea (Agaricomycetes) Extracts

This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antiproliferative activities of the edible mushroom Amanita ovoidea, along with its phenolic compound profile. Ethanolic mushroom extracts were subjected to a series of biological activity assays. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using the TAS, TOS, DPPH, and FRAP methods, and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated accordingly, revealing the species' potential to shift the redox balance in favor of antioxidants. Anticholinesterase activity was determined using the Ellman method and compared with the reference inhibitor galantamine. The results indicated that, although the extract was less potent than galantamine in inhibiting the enzymes, it produced a measurable inhibitory effect on both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Antiproliferative effects were evaluated using the MTT assay on three human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, and DU-145), and significant dose-dependent reductions in cell viability were detected. LC-MS/MS analysis identified several phenolic compounds in the extract, including gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, quercetin, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. These findings demonstrate that the antioxidant properties of A. ovoidea are consistent with its phenolic richness. Despite its limited anticholinesterase activity, the species appears to be a promising candidate for anticancer and neuroprotective research.