Methanol extract of the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus florida, inhibits inflammation and platelet aggregation.

The antiinflammatory and platelet aggregation inhibiting activities of the methanol extract of Pleurotus florida Eger, an edible and commercially grown mushroom, were investigated. The extract showed significant activity in ameliorating acute inflammation induced by carrageenan and chronic inflammation by formalin at 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight. The effect was comparable to the standard reference drug, diclofenac. The extract also showed significant platelet aggregation inhibiting activity of washed human platelets. Adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by 88% to 95% at a concentration of 500 microg/mL of the extract after a preincubation time of 5, 10 and 20 min. The marked antiinflammatory and platelet aggregation inhibiting properties of this mushroom suggest its potential therapeutic use against vascular disorders. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.