Chemical Constituents ofGymnopilus spectabilisand Their Antioxidant Activity
Mycobiology – January 01, 2008
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Unexpectedly, specific compounds from the hallucinogenic mushroom *Gymnopilus spectabilis* exhibit potent antioxidant activity. Two isolated compounds, bisnoryangonin and hispidin, demonstrated significant scavenging against ABTS, DPPH, and superoxide radicals. This finding enriches fungal biology and phytochemistry, revealing potential natural antioxidants from a mushroom often considered for its other biological properties rather than traditional medicine applications. Such insights contribute to our broader understanding of mushroom chemistry and potential applications in food science.
Abstract
Gymnopilus spectabilis, a hallucinogenic mushroom belonging to the family Cortinariaceae, is found growing in dense clusters on stumps and logs of hardwoods and conifers. It contains the hallucinogenic alkaloid psilocybin and its strongly bitter taste makes it undesirable as an edible. In an effort to identify chemical constituents of Korean native wild mushrooms, 4,6-decadiyne-1,3,8-triol (1), ergosta-4,6,8(14), 22-tetraen-3-one (2), bisnoryangonin (3), and hispidin (4) were isolated from the methanolic extract of the fruiting bodies of G. spectabilis. Their structures were assigned on the basis of various spectroscopic studies. Compounds 3 and 4 displayed significant scavenging activity against the ABTS radical cation, DPPH radical, and superoxide radical anion, while 1 and 2 exhibited no antioxidant activity.