Abstract

A great variety of mushrooms (Basidiomycetes) grow in the Mexican territory, but most of their properties, including pharmacological ones, have been scarcely investigated. Samples of culture broth of ten different strains of Mexican Basidiomycetes cultured in four growing times were taken and lyophilized; then, their antioxidant, immunomodulating, cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties were studied, the antioxidant activity was measured with the dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay, the immunomodulating properties were evaluated with the Cunningham´s technique in BALB/c male mice, cytotoxicity was estimated with the 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in Chang liver cells and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated with the microdilution method against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Sporothrix schenkii. Samples of the 1st and 2nd month of growth of Suillus luteus, Lentinus lepideus, and Suillus lakeidemonstrated relevant antioxidant activity (20 - 80%); sample of S. lakei showed significant immunostimulation, near 130% with Cunningham´s technique; none of the samples showed cytotoxicity. Ganoderma applanatum, Armillaria mellea andS. lakei demonstrated antimicrobial activity. The phytochemical screening was assayed for the most active sample (S. lakei at two months of growth) and it was positive for: alkaloids and tannins; the content of proteins, carbohydrates and total phenols were calculated. The most active sample was fractionated and the fractions were biologically evaluated. Phytochemical screening, content of proteins, carbohydrates and total phenols were determined, and an IR spectra was carried out.

Key words: Basidiomycetes, antioxidant, immunomodulator, antimicrobial.