The Effect of Mushroom Extracts on Human Platelet and Blood Coagulation: In vitro Screening of Eight Edible Species

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading global cause of mortality indicating the need to identify all possible factors reducing primary and secondary risk. This study screened the in vitro antiplatelet and anticoagulant activities of hot water extracts of eight edible mushroom species (Agaricus bisporus, Auricularia auricularia-judae, Coprinus comatus, Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus eryngii, and Pleurotus ostreatus) increasingly cultivated for human consumption, and compared them to those evoked by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). The antioxidant capacity and concentration of polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, organic acids, ergosterol, macro elements, and trace elements were also characterized. The most promising antiplatelet effect was exhibited by A. auricularia-judae and P. eryngii extracts as demonstrated by the highest rate of inhibition of adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP)-induced and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced aggregation. The response to both extracts exceeded the one evoked by 140 µmol/L of ASA in the ADP test and was comparable to it in the case of the AA test. Such a dual effect was also observed for G. lucidum extract, even though it was proven to be cytotoxic in platelets and leukocytes. The extract of P. ostreatus revealed an additive effect on AA-induced platelet aggregation. None of the mushroom extracts altered the monitored coagulation parameters (prothrombin time, prothrombin ratio, and International Normalized Ratio). The effect of mushroom extracts on platelet function was positively related to their antioxidative properties and concentration of polysaccharides and ergosterol, and inversely related to zinc concentration. The study suggests that selected mushrooms may exert favorable antiplatelet effects, highlighting the need for further experimental and clinical research in this regard.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; mushrooms; natural antiplatelet agents; platelet; thrombosis.

Figure 1

The effect (mean ± SD) of mushroom extracts on platelet aggregation (n = 5) induced by 6.5 µM adenosine-5′-diphosphate (A,B) and 0.5 mM arachidonic acid (C,D). The asterisk in graph (A), (C) indicates a statistically significant difference with the control while different letters denote a significant difference between the mushroom extract and 140 µmol/L of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p < 0.05). The asterisk in graph B and D indicates a statistically significant difference with ASA (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p < 0.05).

Figure 2

Coagulation parameters: prothrombin time (A) and INR (B) measured in human plasma treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and mushroom extracts. Asterisks indicate a statistically significant difference with the control while different letters denote a significant difference between the mushroom extract and 140 µmol/L of ASA (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p < 0.05).

Figure 3

Coagulation parameters: prothrombin time (A) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) (B) measured in human plasma treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and mushroom extracts. Asterisk indicates a statistically significant difference with the control (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p < 0.05).

Figure 4

Relationship between selected characteristics of mushroom extracts and inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by 6.5 µM adenosine-5′-diphosphate (ADP) (A) and 0.5 mM arachidonic acid (B–D).

Figure 5

Relationship between zinc concentration in mushroom extracts and inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by 6.5 µM adenosine-5′-diphosphate (ADP) (A) and 0.5 mM arachidonic acid (B).