Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin 2024, Biologica Nyssana 15(2) 15 (2) December 2024: 135-144 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13944287 Bioactive components and therapeutic potential of Pleurotus florida: a comprehensive analysis Original Article Selvaananthi A. Research Scholar, Register number: 21212212262009, Department of Botany, St. Mary’s College, (Autonomous), Thoothukudi-1, Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli - 627012, Tamilnadu, India selvaananthia1997@gmail.com (corresponding author) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5498-7582 Beulah Jerlin S. Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, St. Mary’s College (Autonomous), Thoothukudi-1, Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli - 627012, Tamilnadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5480-5782 Received: September 06, 2024 Revised: September 28, 2024 Accepted: September 30, 2024 Abstract: Pleurotus mushrooms, commonly known as oyster mushrooms, are celebrated for their edibility and emerging health benefits. This study investigates the bioactive components and functional groups in Pleurotus florida mushrooms, focusing on polysaccharides, peptides, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. Comprehensive analysis identified functional groups and diverse range of 37 bioactive compounds, each exhibiting distinct biological activities. These include treatment for phobic disorders, antiseborrheic effects, sclerosant properties, cholesterol antagonism, antieczematic effects, regulation of lipid metabolism, antihypercholesterolemic properties, antisecretoric activity, and cardiovascular analeptic effects. Additionally, the study highlights the potential synergistic effects of these compounds, which may contribute to their overall therapeutic efficacy. The findings underscore the promise of Pleurotus florida as a valuable source of functional compounds with diverse and significant therapeutic applications, warranting further research to fully explore their potential benefits in clinical settings. Key words: bioactive compounds, Pleurotus florida, FT-IR, GCMS, oyster mushroom Apstrakt: Bioaktivne komponente i terapeutski potencijal Pleurotus florida: sveobuhvatna analiza Pečurke roda Pleurotus, poznate kao bukovače, poznate su po svojoj jestivosti i sve većim zdravstvenim koristima. Ova studija istražuje bioaktivne komponente i funkcionalne grupe u pečurkama Pleurotus florida, sa fokusom na polisaharide, peptide, masne kiseline i fenolna jedinjenja. Detaljna analiza je identifikovala funkcionalne grupe i širok spektar od 37 bioaktivnih jedinjenja, od kojih svako ispoljava različite biološke aktivnosti. Ove aktivnosti uključuju lečenje fobičnih poremećaja, antiseboroične efekte, sklerozantna svojstva, antagonizam holesterola, antiekzematske efekte, regulaciju metabolizma lipida, antihiperholesterolemična svojstva, antisekretornu aktivnost i kardiovaskularne analeptičke efekte. Pored toga, studija ističe potencijalne sinergističke efekte ovih jedinjenja, koji mogu doprineti njihovoj ukupnoj terapijskoj efikasnosti. Rezultati naglašavaju obećavajući potencijal Pleurotus florida kao vrednog izvora funkcionalnih jedinjenja sa različitim i značajnim terapeutskim primenama, što opravdava dalje istraživanje kako bi se u potpunosti istražile njihove moguće koristi u kliničkim uslovima. Ključne reči: bioaktivna jedinjenja, Pleurotus florida, FT-IR, GCMS, bukovača Introduction Mushrooms are the spore-bearing fruiting bodies of matured mycelium typically formed above the soil or on its substrate. Greeks and Romans have taken mushrooms as food since ancient times. Chinese considered mushroom as an elixir of life and Romans regarded it as food of God. Mushroom belongs to the class Basidomycota of kingdom Fungi because of unique fungal characteristics and development (Song, 2004). Mushrooms have drawn attention as a therapeutic food, as a source of drugs and nutritional supplements since they are hyped for their antioxidant, antitumor and antimicrobial properties. In addition to their pharmacological properties, mushrooms have become much more significant in our diet due to its high nutritional value, high protein content and low fat / energy content (Khatun © 2024 Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially under the same license as the original. 135 et al., 2012). Mushrooms have predominantly been employed in conventional medicinal practices across China and various other Asian nations. These fungi exhibit a plethora of beneficial properties, including antineoplastic, antibacterial, antiviral, hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolemic, anti- inflammatory, and antioxidant effects (Guillamón et al., 2010; Wasser, 2014). The present study reveals the various types of bioactive compounds, potential health benefits, and the exciting possibilities they hold for future applications in medicine and functional foods. Materials and Methods FT-IR Mushroom sample was lyophilized and mixed with KBr pellets and then subjected to FT-IR spectral analysis. The dried pellets were subjected to FT-IR spectroscopy measurement in the spectral range of 4000-400 cm with resolution of 4 cm. The results were compared with standard values and the functional groups were identified. GC-MS analysis GC-MS analysis of the mushroom sample was performed using a GC Clarus 500 Perkin-Elmer system comprising an AOC - 20i autosampler and gas chromatograph interfaced to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) equipped with an Elite-1, fused silica capillary column (330 mm×0.25 mm ID×1μm df, composed of 100% dimethyl polysiloxane). For GC-MS detection, an electron ionization system with ionizing energy of 70 eV was used. Helium gas (99.999%) was used as the carrier gas at constant flow rate of 1ml/minute and an injection volume of 0.5 μl was employed (split ratio of 10:1); Injector temperature 250 °C; Ion-source temperature 280 °C. The oven temperature was programmed from 110 °C (isothermal for 2 minutes), with an increase of 10 °C/ minute, to 200 °C, then 5 °C/minute to 280 °C, ending with a 9 minutes isothermal at 280 °C. Mass spectra were taken at 70 eV; a scan interval of 0.5 seconds and fragments from 40 to 550 Da. Total GC running time was 36 minutes. The relative percentage of each component was calculated by comparing its average peak area to the total areas, software adopted to handle mass spectra and chromatograms was a Turbo mass. Interpretation on mass spectrum of GC-MS was conducted using the database of National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) having more than 62,000 patterns. The spectrum of the unknown components was compared with the spectrum of the known components stored in the NIST library. The name, molecular weight and structure of the components of the test materials were ascertained. Results FI-IR analysis FT-IR analysis of the Pleurotus florida mushroom powder provides the information about the functional groups present in it (Fig. 1, Tab. 1). The peak at 3387.25 is associated with N-H stretching, which is characteristic of aliphatic primary amines, and it shows medium intensity. A weak peak at 2081.93 136 BIOLOGICA NYSSANA ● 15 (2) December 2024: Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin ● Bioactive components and therapeutic potential of Pleurotus florida: a comprehensive analysis Fig. 1. FT-IR Spectrum of Pleurotus florida BIOLOGICA NYSSANA ● 15 (2) December 2024: Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin ● Bioactive components and therapeutic potential of Pleurotus florida: a comprehensive analysis 137 corresponds to C≡C stretching, indicating the presence of an alkyne group. Aromatic compounds are represented by a weak C-H bending peak at 1627.13, while a medium-intensity C-H bending peak at 1459.97 suggests the presence of alkanes. The 1380.70 peak is associated with C-H bending in aldehydes and is of medium intensity. A strong peak at 1138.83 corresponds to C-O stretching in aliphatic ethers. Alkenes are identified by two peaks: a strong C=C bending peak at 959.82 and a medium-intensity C=C bending peak at 800.45. Halo compounds are indicated by strong peaks at 608.48 and 510.66, corresponding to C-Br stretching and C-I stretching, respectively. These peaks help to elucidate the chemical structure and functional groups present in the sample. GC-MS analysis From the GC-MS analysis of the mushroom extract totally 37 compounds were identified (Fig. 2). With the help of the online tool PASS Online its biological activity was identified. Tab. 2 presents a list of compounds along with their molecular weight, peak area, molecular structure, bioactivity, and probability of activity. The bioactive compounds are shown to have a wide range of therapeutic properties, such as antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, lipid metabolism regulation, cardiovascular benefits, etc. The probability of bioactivity for each compound highlights its potential efficacy in various medical treatments. Antineoplastic treatments Antineoplastic agents play a critical role in inhibiting the growth and spread of tumors. Several compounds are identified with antineoplastic properties in the Table 1. FT-IR Analysis of Pleurotus florida S. No. Peak value Group Class Peak details 1 3387.3 N-H stretching aliphatic primary amine medium 2 2081.9 C≡C stretching alkyne weak 3 1627.1 C-H bending aromatic compound weak 4 1460 C-H bending alkane medium 5 1380.7 C-H bending aldehyde medium 6 1138.8 C-O stretching aliphatic ether strong 7 959.82 C=C bending alkene strong 8 800.45 C=C bending alkene medium 9 608.48 C-Br stretching halo compound strong 10 510.66 C-I stretching halo compound strong Fig. 2. GC-MS spectrum of Pleurotus florida 138 BIOLOGICA NYSSANA ● 15 (2) December 2024: Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin ● Bioactive components and therapeutic potential of Pleurotus florida: a comprehensive analysis Ta bl e 2. B io ac tiv e co m po un ds id en tifi ed b y G C -M S an al ys is o f P le ur ot us fl or id a S. N o. R /T N am e of th e C om po un d M ol ec ul ar W ei gh t Pe ak A re a % M ol ec ul ar S tr uc tu re B io ac tiv ity Pr ob ab ili ty of a ct iv ity 1 5. 49 5 Tr ie th yl si la no l 13 2 1. 41 C C [S i]( C C )( C C )O A nt in eo pl as tic 0. 99 5 2 5. 49 5 Fo rm ic a ci d 11 8 1. 41 C (= O )O - - 3 5. 49 5 M et ho xy ac et al de hy de di et hy l a ce ta l 14 8 1. 41 C C O C (C O C )( O C (C )C )C A nt io st eo po ro tic , A nt io be si ty , B on e di se as es tre at m en t 0. 95 4, 0. 95 8, 0. 92 8 4 7. 67 5 B en ze ne , 1, 2, 3- tri m et hy l 12 0 23 .9 6 C C 1= C (C (= C C =C 1) C )C A nt is eb or rh ei c 0. 85 5 7. 67 5 B en ze ne , 1, 2, 4- tri m et hy l 12 0 23 .9 6 C C 1= C C (= C (C =C 1) C )C A nt is eb or rh ei c, C ar m in at iv e 0. 86 , 0 .8 28 6 8. 64 1- H ex an ol , 2 -e th yl 13 0 2. 06 C C C C C (C O )C C Sc le ro sa nt , P ho bi c di so rd er s t re at m en t 0. 89 7, 0 .8 96 7 8. 64 2- Pr op yl -1 -p en ta no l 13 0 2. 06 C C C C (C C C )C O Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, Sc le ro sa nt 0. 90 0, 0 .8 6 8 12 .4 1 1, 4: 3, 6- D ia nh yd ro -. al ph a. -d - gl uc op yr an os e 14 4 10 .2 1 C 1[ +F 15 C @ @ H ]2 [C @ @ H ]3 [C @ H ]( O 1) [C @ H ]( [C @ @ H ]( O 2) O 3) O C al ci um re gu la to r, A nt ie no pl as tic , A nt iin fla m m at or y, R es te no si s t re at m en t(n on - H od gk in 's ly m ph om a) 0. 92 5, 0 .9 12 , 0. 87 8 9 12 .4 1 4, 5- O ct an ed io l, 2, 7- di m et hy l- 17 4 10 .2 1 C C (C )C C (C (C C (C )C )O )O Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, Sc le ro sa nt , A nt is eb or rh ei c 0. 92 2, 0 .8 54 , 0. 82 2 10 12 .4 1 M et ha cr yl ic a ci d, et hy l e st er 11 4 10 .2 1 C C O C (= O )C (= C )C Sk in ir rit at io n, A nt ie cz em at ic , Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, Pe di cu lic id e, C ho le st er ol a nt ag on is t, Le uk op oi es is st im ul an t 0. 95 7, 0 .8 74 , 0. 82 6, 0 .7 9, 0. 72 7, 0 .7 23 11 12 .4 1 5- D ec an on e, 6- hy dr ox y- 17 2 10 .2 1 C C C C C (C (= O )C C C C )O Le uk op oi es is st im ul an t 0. 77 7 BIOLOGICA NYSSANA ● 15 (2) December 2024: Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin ● Bioactive components and therapeutic potential of Pleurotus florida: a comprehensive analysis 139 12 12 .4 1 4- O ct an on e, 5- hy dr ox y- 2, 7- di m et hy l- 17 2 10 .2 1 C C (C )C C (C (= O )C C (C )C )O Ph ob ic d is or de rs tr ea tm en t 0. 87 2 13 14 .2 5 M al ic A ci d 13 4 3. 46 C (C (C (= O )O )O )C (= O )O A nt is eb or rh ei c 0. 79 3 14 14 .2 5 Pr op an oi c ac id , 2- m et hy l-, p ro py l es te r 13 0 3. 46 C C C O C (= O )C (C )C Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, A nt is eb or rh ei c, Sc le ro sa nt , A nt ie cz em at ic 0. 93 3, 0 .8 81 , 0. 79 2, 0 .7 56 15 14 .2 5 Pr op an oi c ac id , 2- m et hy l-, 2 -e th yl -3 - hy dr ox yh ex yl e st er 21 6 3. 46 C C C C (C (C C )C O C (= O )C (C )C )O Sc le ro sa nt , L eu ko po ie si s st im ul an t 0. 84 0, 0 .7 25 16 14 .2 5 3- H yd ro xy de ca no ic ac id 18 8 3. 46 C C C C C C C C (C C (= O )O )O Li pi d m et ab ol is m re gu la to r 0. 88 8 17 15 .1 7 Te tra de ca ne 19 8 2. 59 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C A nt ie cz em at ic , A nt is eb or rh ei c 0. 89 5, 0 .8 57 18 15 .1 7 H ex ad ec an e 22 6 2. 59 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C A nt ie cz em at ic , A nt is eb or rh ei c 0. 89 5, 8 .8 57 19 15 .1 7 Pe nt ad ec an e 21 2 2. 59 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C A nt ie cz em at ic 0. 89 5 20 17 .2 8 D ie th yl P ht ha la te 22 2 3. 15 C C O C (= O )C 1= C C =C C =C 1C (= O )O C C C ar di ov as cu la r a na le pt ic 0. 86 8 21 20 .2 6 N on ad ec an e 26 8 1. 32 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C ar di ov as cu la r a na le pt ic 0. 86 8 22 20 .2 6 O ct ad ec an e 25 4 1. 32 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C A nt ie cz em at ic , A nt is eb or rh ei c, C ar di ov as cu la r a na le pt ic 0. 89 5, 0 .8 57 , 0. 86 8 23 21 .2 9 Pe nt ad ec an oi c ac id , et hy l e st er 27 0 0. 74 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C (= O )O C C M uc os iti s t re at m en t 0. 81 5 24 21 .2 9 Et hy l 1 3- m et hy l- te tra de ca no at e 27 0 0. 74 C C O C (= O )C C C C C C C C C C C C (C )C Sc le ro sa nt , L ip id m et ab ol is m re gu la to r, C ho le st er ol a nt ag on is t 0. 83 2, 0 .8 07 , 0. 79 3 25 21 .2 9 H ex ad ec an oi c ac id , et hy l e st er 28 4 9. 6 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C (= O )O C C Fi br in ol yt ic , M uc os iti s t re at m en t 0. 76 8, 0 .7 71 26 22 .3 5 H ep ta de ca no ic a ci d, et hy l e st er 29 8 9. 6 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C (= O )O C C A nt ie cz em at ic , Le uk op oi es is st im ul an t 0. 91 9, 0 .8 50 BIOLOGICA NYSSANA ● 15 (2) December 2024: Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin ● Bioactive components and therapeutic potential of Pleurotus florida: a comprehensive analysis 27 24 .0 4 9, 12 -O ct ad ec ad ie no ic ac id (Z ,Z )- 28 0 38 .9 8 C C C C C /C =C \C /C =C \C C C C C C C C (= O )O Li pi d m et ab ol is m re gu la to r, M uc om em br an ou s pr ot ec to r, C ho le st er ol an ta go ni st , A nt ih yp er ch ol es te ro le m ic , A nt is ec re to ric 0. 94 3, 0 .9 04 , 0. 87 6, 0 .8 31 , 0. 82 8 28 24 .0 4 Li no le ic a ci d et hy l es te r 30 8 38 .9 8 C C C C C /C =C \C /C =C \C C C C C C C C (= O )O C C A nt ie cz em at ic , L ip id m et ab ol is m re gu la to r 0. 96 3, 0 .9 43 29 24 .0 4 9, 12 -O ct ad ec ad ie no ic ac id , e th yl e st er 30 8 38 .9 8 C C C C C /C =C /C /C =C /C C C C C C C C (= O )O C C A nt ie cz em at ic , L ip id m et ab ol is m re gu la to r, M uc om em br an ou s pr ot ec to r, C ho le st er ol an ta go ni st 0. 96 3, 0 .9 43 , 0. 90 4, 0 .8 31 30 24 .0 4 Et hy l 9 .c is .,1 1. tra ns .- oc ta de ca di en oa te 30 8 38 .9 8 C C C C C C /C =C /C =C \C C C C C C C C (= O )O C C A nt ie cz em at ic , L ip id m et ab ol is m re gu la to r, M uc om em br an ou s pr ot ec to r 0. 94 0, 0 .9 38 , 0. 90 4 31 27 .3 8 B is (2 -e th yl he xy l) ph th al at e 39 0 1. 54 C C C C C (C C )C O C (= O )C 1= C C =C C =C 1C (= O ) O C C (C C )C C C C C ho le st er ol a nt ag on is t, Pl at el et a gg re ga tio n st im ul an t 0. 81 7, 0 .8 11 32 27 .3 8 D iis oo ct yl p ht ha la te 39 0 1. 54 C C (C )C C C C C O C (= O )C 1= C C =C C =C 1C (= O ) O C C C C C C (C )C Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, A nt is eb or rh ei c, Sc le ro sa nt , F ib rin ol yt ic 0. 94 8, 0 .8 44 , 0. 79 6, 0 .7 44 33 27 .3 8 H ex ac os an e 36 6 0. 97 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, A nt ie cz em at ic , C ar di ov as cu la r a na le pt ic 0. 92 4, 0 .8 95 , 0. 86 8 34 27 .3 8 H en ei co sa ne 29 6 0. 97 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, A nt ie cz em at ic , C ar di ov as cu la r a na le pt ic , Le uk op oi es is st im ul an t 0. 92 4, 0 .8 95 , 0. 86 8, 0 .8 23 35 27 .3 8 Pe nt ac os an e 35 2 0. 97 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, A nt ie cz em at ic , C ar di ov as cu la r a na le pt ic 0. 92 4, 0 .8 95 , 0. 86 8 140 BIOLOGICA NYSSANA ● 15 (2) December 2024: Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin ● Bioactive components and therapeutic potential of Pleurotus florida: a comprehensive analysis 141 36 27 .3 8 O ct ac os an e 39 4 0. 97 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, A nt ie cz em at ic , C ar di ov as cu la r a na le pt ic 0. 92 4, 0 .8 95 , 0. 86 8 37 27 .3 8 Te tra te tra co nt an e 61 8 0. 97 C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C Ph ob ic d is or de rs tre at m en t, A nt ie cz em at ic , C ar di ov as cu la r a na le pt ic 0. 92 4, 0 .8 95 , 0. 86 8 study. Triethylsilanol and 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-alpha-d- glucopyranose are among the bioactive compounds known for their potential in cancer treatment. These compounds could inhibit cancer cell proliferation and possibly serve in therapeutic applications for various cancers, including non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Antiosteoporotic treatments Bone health is crucial for pre- venting osteoporosis, a con- dition where bones become weak and brittle. Methoxyac- etaldehyde diethyl acetal has demonstrated antiosteoporot- ic potential, indicating that it could play a role in bone dis- ease prevention or treatment. By improving bone density and preventing bone loss, this compound shows promise in contributing to treatments aimed at strengthening skel- etal health. Antiobesity treatments Obesity is a significant health challenge, and the need for antiobesity agents is ever- growing. Methoxyacetalde- hyde diethyl acetal has been highlighted for its potential antiobesity effects. This com- pound could help regulate body fat and metabolism, providing support in weight management therapies, po- tentially reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases. Antiseborrheic treatments Seborrhea is a skin condition characterized by excessive oil production, leading to scaly patches and dandruff. Sev- eral compounds, including benzene (1,2,3-trimethyl and 1,2,4-trimethyl), propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, propyl ester, malic Acid, 4,5-octanediol, 2,7-dimethyl-, ocatadecane and hexadecane have been identified for their anti- seborrheic properties. These compounds could aid in reducing excessive oil production and inflamma- tion, thus contributing to the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis and related skin conditions. Sclerosant treatments Sclerosants are used to treat varicose veins by causing the veins to shrink. Compounds such as ethyl 13-methyl-tetradecanoate, 1-hexanol, 2-ethyl, 2-propyl-1-pentanol, propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, propyl ester, propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl-3- hydroxyhexyl ester and 4,5-octanediol, 2,7-dimethyl exhibit sclerosant properties. These compounds could contribute to therapies designed to reduce the appearance of varicose veins and improve vascular health by inducing the closure of the affected veins. Phobic Disorders treatments Phobic disorders, such as anxiety and irrational fears, can be debilitating. Several compounds, including 1-hexanol, 2-ethyl, 2-propyl-1-pentanol, 4,5-octanediol, 2,7-dimethyl-, methacrylic acid, ethyl ester, propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, propyl ester, heneicosane, hexacosane, pentacosane, octacosane, tetratetracontane and diisooctyl phthalate are linked to the treatment of phobic disorders. These compounds may help regulate the nervous system, offering potential in managing symptoms of anxiety, stress, and related disorders, contributing to mental health therapies. Lipid metabolism regulation Proper lipid metabolism is vital for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Compounds like bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, ethyl 13-methyl- tetradecanoate, 3-hydroxydecanoic acid, linoleic acid ethyl ester, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester, methacrylic acid, ethyl ester and ethyl 9.cis.,11. trans.-octadecadienoate are known to regulate lipid metabolism. These bioactive molecules could aid in breaking down fats and maintaining healthy lipid profiles, potentially benefiting individuals with metabolic disorders. Cholesterol antagonism High cholesterol levels are a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Several compounds, including henicosane, linoleic acid ethyl ester, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z), and ethyl 9.cis., 11.trans.-octadecadienoate, demonstrate cholesterol antagonist properties. These compounds could help reduce cholesterol levels, supporting heart health and preventing conditions such as atherosclerosis mycelium of P. ostreatus effectively inhibited the proliferation of neoplastic cells associated with Ehrlich tumor and sarcoma 180. Protein extract derived from P. ostreatus demonstrated a significant therapeutic impact on the colorectal cancer cell line SW 480 as well as on the monocytic leukaemia cell line THP-1 by promoting their apoptosis (Wu et al., 2011). Furthermore, protein extracts from P. eryngii and P. ostreatus (eryngin and pleurostrin) exhibit notable antifungal and antibacterial activities (Erjavec et al., 2012). The species P. cornucopiae has yielded two oligopeptides that display antihypertensive effects (Jang et al., 2011). Additionally, the mycelium and fruiting bodies of P. citrinopileatus are characterized by high concentrations of ergothioneine, a water- soluble amino acid recognized for its exceptional antioxidant properties (Lin et al., 2016). Ribonuclease derived from P. djamor demonstrates an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of hepatic and breast cancer cells (Wu et al., 2010). Investigations have established that the polysaccharide-peptide complex obtained from P. abalonus significantly lowers blood glucose levels in murine models (Chen et al., 2015). Lectins isolated from Pleurotus citrinopileatus exhibit both antineoplastic and antiviral properties (Li et al., 2008). Terpenoids extracted from P. cornucopiae showed cytotoxic properties towards HeLa and HepG2 cancer cell lines (Wang et al., 2013). Menikpurage et al. (2009) and Alam et al. (2009) performed an investigation involving animal subjects, demonstrating that lovastatin present in the powdered fruiting bodies of P. osteratus and P. sajor-caju favorably influenced lipid profiles as well as hepatic and renal functions. The concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream of the rats were found to be reduced. The application of oyster mushrooms within the realms of cosmetology and dermatology represents another pertinent subject. Owing to their rich content of antioxidants, along with anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, whitening, and moisturizing agents, extracts from oyster mushrooms are suitable for the formulation of various cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. Certain countries offer soap featuring P. ostreatus extract, known for its skin regeneration properties. The utilization of a pleuran-based cream as an adjunctive therapy for patients suffering from atopic dermatitis has showed promising outcomes. Recent scientific literature substantiates the efficacy of various oyster mushroom species as viable raw materials for the cosmetics sector (Taofiq et al., 2016; Wu et al., 2016; Morris et al., 2017). Cholesterol is a crucial lipophilic molecule essential for human survival, playing numerous roles in maintaining cellular function. It serves and coronary artery disease. Leukopoiesis stimulation Leukopoiesis, the production of white blood cells, is essential for immune system function. Compounds such as heptadecanoic acid, ethyl ester, 5-decanone, 6-hydroxy-, henicosane, methacrylic acid, ethyl ester, propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl- 3-hydroxyhexyl ester and hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester have shown the ability to stimulate leukopoiesis. These compounds could help boost the immune system by increasing white blood cell counts, making them potentially useful in treating conditions like neutropenia and enhancing immune response. Cardiovascular analeptic treatments Cardiovascular analeptics are agents that stimulate heart function and improve circulatory health. Dieth- yl phthalate, nonadecane, ocatadecane, hexacosane, pentacosane, octacosane, tetratetracontane, and he- neicosane have been found to exhibit cardiovascular analeptic properties. These compounds could help enhance heart function and overall cardiovascular health, making them potential candidates for man- aging heart conditions and improving circulation. Discussion The Pleurotus genus comprises approximately 40 distinct species, among which several hold considerable economic importance. The fruiting bodies of oyster mushrooms possess significant nutritional value and confer health-promoting benefits. Furthermore, numerous species within the Pleurotus genus have been recognized as sources of compounds with established medicinal attributes, including polysaccharides, peptides, and proteins, terpenoids, fatty acid esters, and polyphenols. The bioactive compounds present in Pleurotus species demonstrate a variety of beneficial properties, including immunostimulation, anti-neoplastic effects, anti-diabetic activity, anti-atherosclerotic effects, anti-inflammatory responses, antibacterial properties, and antioxidative capabilities. The multifaceted positive effects on the human body can be attributed to the synergistic interactions of these bioactive compounds (Golak-Siwulska et al., 2018). The fruiting bodies of various species of oyster mushrooms have yielded an extensive array of polysaccharides exhibiting several biological activities. Zhang et al. (2012) successfully isolated two distinct fractions of polysaccharides from P. ostreatus, demonstrating their significant antioxidative capabilities. Facchini et al. (2014) reported that polysaccharides derived from the BIOLOGICA NYSSANA ● 15 (2) December 2024: Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin ● Bioactive components and therapeutic potential of Pleurotus florida: a comprehensive analysis 142 BIOLOGICA NYSSANA ● 15 (2) December 2024: Selvaananthi and Beulah Jerlin ● Bioactive components and therapeutic potential of Pleurotus florida: a comprehensive analysis 143 as a precursor in the synthesis of vitamin D, steroid hormones and sex hormones. Additionally, cholesterol is a key component of bile salts, which aid in the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K (Ciaula et al., 2017). The impact of diet on cholesterol levels varies among individuals (Stone & Lloyd-Jones, 2015). Certain compounds in mushrooms help maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels and eliminate unwanted fats from the body. Psilocybin, a classic hallucinogen produced by over 100 species of mushrooms worldwide, binds with high affinity to several serotonin receptors, including 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C, which are located in various brain regions such as the cerebral cortex and thalamus. Daniel & Haberman (2017) provide an in-depth review of psilocybin’s potential against various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive- compulsive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder. Various substances extracted from macro fungi, particularly mushrooms, such as ceramides, lentinan, schizophyllan, omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, carotenoids, and resveratrol, are increasingly being incorporated into cosmetics (Hyde et al., 2010; Camassola, 2013). Conclusion The study has revealed a rich array of bioactive components, including polysaccharides, peptides, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds, each associated with various therapeutic activities. 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