Phytochemical characterization, pharmacological activities, and in silico analysis of the methanolic extract of reishi mushroom (Ganodermalucidum).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Medicinal plants are widely used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases, especially in communities with limited access to conventional healthcare. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) is a medicinal fungus that has been widely used in traditional medicine systems, particularly in East Asia, for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory disorders, gastrointestinal ailments, and general health promotion due to its rich content of bioactive compounds, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its long-standing ethnomedicinal use as a tonic and therapeutic agent supports its relevance as a natural source of bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological benefits. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, toxicity profile, and in silico therapeutic potential of the methanolic extract of the fruiting body of G. lucidum (GLFME) with a particular focus on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An integrated in vitro assay, in vivo models, and molecular docking analyses were employed to evaluate the pharmacological potential of GLFME. The samples were air-dried, ground into a fine powder, and extracted in methanol (1:20, w/v) for 10 days, followed by a filtration-evaporation cycle under low pressure to produce a crude methanol extract. A fraction of the extract was subjected to phytochemical profiling through UV densitometry, FTIR, and GC/MS analysis. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Cytotoxicity and thrombolytic activity were assessed using brine shrimp lethality and clot lysis assays. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antidiarrheal activities were evaluated in vivo using animal models. Acute toxicity studies were conducted to assess safety. Molecular docking was performed to determine the binding affinity of identified compounds toward human catalase (PDB ID: 1DGH), a key antioxidant enzyme belonging to the oxidoreductase class that plays a central role in cellular redox homeostasis. RESULTS: GLFME contained high levels of phenolics (215.63 ± 17 mg GAE g-1) and flavonoids (467.34 ± 35 QAE g-1). The extract showed strong antioxidant activity with a DPPH IC50 value of 0.969 ± 0.008 μg mL-1. Significant thrombolytic activity (p < 0.01) and mild cytotoxicity (LC50 = 13.15 ± 1.2 μg mL-1) were observed. Acute toxicity studies indicated an LD50 > 1600 mg kg-1. In vivo studies demonstrated significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antidiarrheal effects. Docking results revealed strong binding affinities of GC-MS-identified compounds toward human catalase (PDB ID: 1DGH). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that GLFME possesses significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pharmacological potential and may serve as a promising natural source for future nutraceutical and therapeutic development.