Antimycobacterial Activities of an Edible Mushroom Extract and its Synergy with the Standard Antituberculous Drugs

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death in most developing countries mainly due to drug resistance. Mushrooms are reservoirs of many unexplored active ingredients in relation to antimicrobial applications, giving us a scope to exploit it to see whether antituberculosis activity is pertaining with it. Aim: We explored one member of edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus for its antimycobacterial activities. Materials and Methods: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the mushroom extract was assayed against Mycobacterial strains-H37Ra, 2 clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates and one MOTT (Mycobacterium Other Than Tuberculosis). Haemotoxicity analysis and characterisation of bioactive ingredients of extract were also studied. Synergistic study with Ethambutol (EMB), Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RIF) was also done. Results: Ethanolic extract of mushroom showed MIC values in the range of 2.5 mg/mL-15 mg/mL against the strains collected. No haemotoxicity was found by the bioactive components of the extract upto a concentration of 20 mg/mL. Specific phenol and flavonoid compounds are attributed to the antimycobacterial activity shown by the extract. Excellent synergy of the extract was revealed with RIF followed by EMB against the strains of Mycobacteria, while INH only show synergy against the MOTT. Conclusion: Mushrooms can be considered as a potent source of bioactive compounds showing antituberculosis activity.

Keywords

• ethambutol
• isoniazid
• mycobacterium tuberculosis
• pleurotus ostreatus
• rifampicin
• synergy