Bioactivity of mushrooms against cancer

Abstract

Oyster mushroom has long been consumed for their delicious taste and flavour that they add to our plate. These edible herbs are also rich source of neutraceuticals that impart on it potential free radical scavenging, antioxidant, antiatherogenic, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory and anti-bacterial properties. In the present study, we deciphered the role of mushroom neutraceuticals vis a vis hallmarks of cancer via an in-silico approach. From literature survey, eleven bioactive compounds of Pleurotus ostreatus were identified e.g. Ergosterol, Rutin, β-glucan, Apigenin, Ascorbic acid, Cinnamic acid, Linoleic acid, Niacinnamide, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid and veratric acid. Molecular docking was performed taking these compounds as ligands against epidermal growth factor receptor, caspase 3 and vascular endothelial growth factor proteins, which plays important role in proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis of malignant cells. Our finding suggest that Rutin, Ergosterol and β-glucan has shown highest binding affinity against the three proteins and interfere in their functioning inside tumor microenvironment thereby inhibiting process of carcinogenesis and metastasis.