Metabolomic, in vitro and preclinical evaluation of Auricularia polytricha mushroom.

The black ear wood mushroom, scientifically known as , is a widely consumed edible fungus, particularly in Asian countries. It has been recognized for its culinary value and significant medicinal properties (Liang et al. ). In recent years, extensive research has highlighted the biological activities of (Nilkhet et al. ). The therapeutic properties of are largely attributed to its complex chemical composition, which includes polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and bioactive peptides (Liang et al. ; Nilkhet et al. ). Metabolomic profiling technologies have been employed to analyze the mushroom extract to better understand the molecular basis of these biological activities. Metabolomics, the comprehensive study of metabolites within a biological system, enables the identification and quantification of a wide range of bioactive compounds in . However, most of the respective bioactive metabolites are still not fully characterized. Advanced analytical methods have been employed in describing the metabolite profile of several mushrooms, revealing the presence of various compounds responsible for their pharmacological effects (Oyedeji et al. ). One important finding from metabolomic analysis is the identification of polysaccharides and phenolic compounds that exhibit strong anti-inflammatory activities. Such active compounds have been revealed to prevent the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, thus performing a fundamental role in plummeting inflammation, a major factor in the pathogenesis of several chronic illnesses (Elhusseiny et al. , ). Additionally, the antioxidant activity of has been linked to its rich content of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, which effectively scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, a contributor to aging and various degenerative diseases (Elhusseiny et al. ). Furthermore, metabolomic profiling has uncovered bioactive components with potent antimicrobial properties. Extracts of have demonstrated significant broad-spectrum antibacterial activity (Yang et al. ). Moreover, antiviral assays have shown that the mushroom’s metabolites can inhibit viral replication, particularly in cases of influenza virus infection, by interfering with viral entry and replication processes (Miao et al. ). However, most of the respective bioactive metabolites are still not fully characterized. In addition, the nature, quantity, and magnitude of activity of the respective metabolites differ even within the same genus and species of a mushroom according to cultural and environmental conditions as well as geographical locations (Bhambri et al. ). In literature, limited attention has been given to the antitumor activity of mushrooms, with little exploration of the underlying mechanisms. To address this gap, the present study identified the bioactive metabolites of a locally isolated strain through metabolomic analysis, followed by in vitro and preclinical evaluation using a solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC)-induced animal model. To our knowledge, this is the first study to integrate metabolomic profiling with preclinical evaluation of a locally isolated and genetically identified strain, demonstrating superior in vivo antitumor efficacy compared with doxorubicin and linking these effects to anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.