Evaluation of Anti-proliferative Potential and Antioxidant Activity of a Wild Edible Mushroom Macrocybe crassa (Sacc.) Pegler and Lodge

Objective: This study aims to quantify the anti-oxidant activity of the methanolic extract of Macrocybe crassa and its anti-proliferative activity on normal and cancer cells. Methods: The anti-oxidant potential of the extract was determined by several in vitro assay system like DPPH radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion scavenging activity, percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity. Anti-proliferative activity was tested by MTT assay on breast cancer cell line MCF7, Human acute T lymphoblastic leukaemic cell MOLT-4 and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells or PBMC isolated from a healthy donor to check its cytotoxic effect on normal cells. Results: Results indicated that the methanolic extract of Macrocybe crassa shows appreciable anti-proliferative activity against breast cancer cell line MCF7 and negligible effect on MOLT4 cells. In contrast no significant anti-proliferative effect has been observed in normal PMMCs. Moderate anti-oxidant activity was recorded in methanolic extract. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of of Macrocybe crassa with moderate anti-oxidant activity and specific anti-proliferative effect on MCF7 holds a great promise can be used for isolation of bio molecules for treating Breast Cancer.