Chaga Mushroom Extract as a Dual-Action Agent against Microbial and Cancerous Cells: An In Vitro Study

The present study investigates the bioactive properties of the Ethyl Acetate Extract of Inonotus obliquus (EAEIO), sourced from the Chaga mushroom. Traditionally used in medicine, this mushroom is increasingly recognized for its potent antimicrobial and anticancer benefits. Our analysis sought to explore the impact of EAEIO on four diverse bacterial strains: Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Bacillus cereus EMCC1080, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC10145, and Listeria monocytogenes NCTC7973, employing the disc diffusion method. We also investigated the potential cytotoxic effect of EAEIO on MCF7 breast cancer cells, HCT16 colon cells, and normal BHK cells using the MTT assay.
Our results underscore the effective antimicrobial properties of EAEIO, evidenced by inhibition zones between 16 mm to 28 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 6.25 µg/mL to 1.563 µg/mL. In addition, the EAEIO demonstrated remarkable anticancer activity against MCF7 and HCT16 cell lines, with IC50 values of 7.56 µg/mL and 11.2 µg/mL, respectively.
To conclude, EAEIO - the Ethyl Acetate Extract of the Chaga mushroom, exhibited significant antimicrobial and anticancer properties while showing no toxic effect on BHK cells. These observations suggest EAEIO's potential as a valuable natural resource for antimicrobial and anticancer treatments. However, further research is essential to verify the safety and efficacy of EAEIO in cancer and infectious disease management.