In-Silico, Nutritional and Anti-inflammatory Studies on Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd and Flammulina velutipes (Curtis) Singer

Abstract

Mushrooms are recognized as functional foods due to their rich phytochemical diversity and nutritional and therapeutic value. This study investigated the health-promoting potential of two understudied species, Trametes versicolor and Flammulina velutipes, through an approach that integrated phytochemical analysis, nutritional profiling, anti-inflammatory investigation, and in-silico evaluation. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods. Proximate and micronutrient analyses were carried out using AOAC methods. High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was utilized for bioactive compound quantification. Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated via the albumin denaturation assay and compared with a standard anti-inflammatory drug (Prednisolone). Molecular docking was performed using the Swiss dock platform utilizing the AutoDock Vina algorithm. Preliminary phytochemical screening identified T.versicolor as rich in saponins, phenols, tannins, glycosides, and emodins, while F.velutipes contained high flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and phenols. Nutritional profiling revealed F.velutipes as a nutrient-dense species with higher energy (491.57 kcal/100g), protein (24.71%), and fiber (15.12%) compared to Trametes versicolor (426.73 kcal/100g, 19.66% protein, 12.42% fiber). Both mushrooms exhibited significant mineral content, including potassium, magnesium, and calcium, with F.velutipes containing elevated vitamin C (77.54 mg/100g) and T.versicolor higher vitamin B2 (2.46 mg/100g). Anti-inflammatory activity, revealed T. versicolor exhibited low potency (IC50 1.073 × 1010 μg/mL), whereas F. velutipes exhibited superior efficacy (IC50 2.858μg/mL), outperforming prednisolone (IC50 2.231 × 1014 μg/mL). Computational molecular docking against HER2, a breast cancer target, revealed T.versicolor’s bioactive compounds—rutin, apigenin, and kaempferol—with binding affinities of -5.88, -5.81, and -5.78 kcal/mol, respectively, comparable to the standard drug doxorubicin (-5.43 kcal/mol). Similarly, F.velutipes’ orientin and catechin showed binding affinities of -5.24 and -5.70 kcal/mol, highlighting their anticancer potential. These findings underscore both species as nutrient-rich functional foods with robust anti-inflammatory activity and promising therapeutic relevance against breast cancer.