Wild Mushrooms as a Source of Cholinesterase and Glutathione S-Transferase Inhibitors

Several fungal species, including mushrooms, produce bioactive and toxic compounds that exert many activities, such as direct action on DNA, inhibition of protein synthesis, damage to cell membranes, or direct suppression of certain enzymatic activities. This is particularly important as mushrooms can play an important role in human nutrition and/or are used as dietary supplements. In this context, we screened ethanolic extracts of 64 wild mushrooms for their potential to inhibit cholinesterases and glutathione S-transferase. Seven of the 64 extracts showed an inhibitory effect on cholinesterases, while 24 inhibited glutathione S-transferase. These results suggest that the toxic effects of some mushrooms may be directly linked to a specific class of compounds that act as inhibitors of physiologically relevant enzymes. Most of the identified activities are described for the first time and call for caution, especially when the human diet is rich in mushrooms. Conversely, these bioactive molecules may serve as inspiration for chemical synthesis and the development of potential drugs to combat neurodegenerative diseases or cancer.