Profiling of tyrosinase levels, antioxidant and DNA protective properties in different edible and medicinal mushroom species from India.

Background: Tyrosinase is a polyphenol oxidase, one of the globally attracted enzymes
for its multi-mechanistic approaches in various fields such as pharma, food, environment,
medicine, and agriculture. Tyrosinase from natural nutritive edible mushrooms gained
more attention for their rich levels and inexpensive nature. Our previous work has
revealed that mushroom tyrosinase has strong similarities in structure and function with
that of skin tyrosinase, which has significance as a skin tumor marker. Besides, mushrooms
are a richer source of antioxidants. However, it is imperative to analyze all the
available varieties of mushrooms for bioactive potentials like tyrosinase and antioxidant
levels. Thus, the main goal of the study was to identify the variety of mushrooms that
can be selected for continuous multiplication and propagation as a viable source for
tyrosinase, which can be employed to screen tyrosinase inhibitors as skin tumor
inhibitors.
Results: Of the 18 varieties screened for tyrosinase levels, Boletus edulis, Termitomyces
hemii, and Termitomyces mummiformis had high levels of tyrosinase and exhibited potent
hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging activity as well as DNA protection. The
potent DNA and antioxidant abilities appear to be due to the enriched levels of
hydroxybenzoates.
Conclusion: The current study could provide an economic source of tyrosinase
(mushrooms) that can be used to monitor tyrosinase inhibitors, a potent component that
enables their use against skin cancer.