In vitro inhibition of platelet aggregation with low dalton compounds from aqueous dialysates of edible fungi.

Low dalton compounds from aqueous dialysates of several edible fungi have demonstrated inhibition of platelet aggregation in vitro. The species of fungi included Auricularia polytricha (black tree fungus), Cortinellus shiitake (shiitake mushroom), Agaricus biporus, and Auriculariaceae sp. (white tree fungus). The most active inhibitors as determined by 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) were demonstrated in the dialysates of the black tree fungus (10 mg/ml) and shiitake mushroom (80 ug/ml). Agaricus biporus and the white tree fungus dialysates gave IC50 of 3300 and 2750 mg/ml, respectively. Preliminary examinations suggest that, in part, the inhibitory factor(s) may be nucleosides or nucleotides and other as yet unidentified low dalton compounds. Further studies of the chemical nature of these inhibitory compounds are suggested since these fungi are consumed in quantities in some countries.