Análise das atividades biológicas de extratos obtidos de fungos Geastrum Autóctones do Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

Nowadays, there has been an increasing interest in fungi as a source of biologically active compounds of medicinal value, such as anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, anticoagulation, immunopotentiating and hepatoprotective agents. New species of fungi have been described as a sources for a whole new repertoire of active molecules that potentiate modern medicine in unexpected ways. Extracts from fungal fruiting bodies are often rich in many bioactive metabolites of high medicinal value, which include lectins, polysaccharides and protease inhibitors. Species of basidiomycete fungi recently discovered in the northeastern Brazil are being studied as promising sources of these molecules. This work aimed to screen the hemagglutinating, inhibitory, anticoagulant, antibacterial activities present in fungi extracts of the genus Geastrum. Three PBS extracts, and their fractions, of Geastrum species Geastrum rusticum Baseia, B.D.B. Silva & T. S. Cabral in immature (GRI) and mature (GRM) stages and Geastrum entomophilum Fazolino, Calonge & Baseia (GEM) had their protein and carbohydrate contents quantified and were subjected to protease inhibition and hemagglutination tests; coagulation assays (aPTT and TP) and antibacterial activity tests against Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the protein profile of the extracts was evaluated by SDS-PAGE. GRI and GRM presented significant protein concentrations as well as showed positive and showed positive results for proteases inhibitors (trypsin and chymotrypsin) and hemagglutinating activities, while only GRI was able to increase coagulation time of the extrinsic pathway (PT). Only GEM detectable carbohydrate content. No one extract showed antibacterial activity and interference in the coagulation intrinsic pathway (APTT). The present data corroborate the need for further in-depth studies focusing on the isolation of brand-new potentially bioactive molecules.