Anti-inflammatory and antitumour activities of cultured mycelium of morel mushroom, Morchella esculenta

Mushrooms are nutritionally functional food and a source of physiologically beneficial., and non-toxic medicines. They have been used in folk medicine throughout the world since ancient times. Morchella esculenta (L) Pers. is an edible and highly priced mushroom. Commercial cultivation of this mushroom has not been successful till now and hence its mycelium is extensively used as a flavouring agent. Anti-inflammatory and antitumour activities of ethanolic extract of cultured mycelium of M. esculenta Were investigated. The extract showed significant dose-dependent inhibition of both acute and chronic inflammation. The activity was comparable to that of the standard reference drug, Diclofenac. Antitumour activity of the extract was determined using both DLA cell line-induced solid tumour and EAC cell line-induced ascites tumour models in mice. The extract exhibited significant antitumour activity against both ascites and solid tumours. The finding suggests the potential therapeutic use of aqueous-ethanolic extract of morel mushroom mycelium in chemotherapy.