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Aims:  Agaricus brasiliensis (previously named Agaricus blazei ss. Heinem), also known as the sun mushroom is native of Southeast Brazil, and is widely consumed, mainly in the form of tea, due to its nutritional and pharmacological properties. In this study, we tested aqueous (AqE) and ethanol (EtOHE) extracts and an isolated polysaccharide (PLS) from the fruiting body of A. brasiliensis, for antiviral activity against poliovirus type 1 in HEp‐2 cells. Methods and Results:  The evaluation of the time of addition by plaque assay showed that when AqE, PLS and EtOHE were added, just after the virus inoculation (time 0 h), there was a concentration‐dependent reduction in the number of plaques up to 50%, 67% and 88%, respectively, with a selectivity index (SI) of 5·4, 9·9 and 12·3, respectively. Conclusions:  The test substances showed antiviral activity and were more effective when added during the poliovirus infection. As they had little effect on reducing viral adsorption and did not show any virucidal effect, we suggest that they act at the initial stage of the replication of poliovirus. Significance and Impact of the Study:  These results corroborate that basidiomycetes can be a rich source of potential antiviral compounds.

BackgroundLentinula edodes, known as shiitake, has been utilized as food, as well as, in popular medicine, moreover, compounds isolated from its mycelium and fruiting body have shown several therapeutic properties. The aim of this study was to determine the antiviral activity of aqueous (AqE) and ethanol (EtOHE) extracts and polysaccharide (LeP) from Lentinula edodes in the replication of poliovirus type 1 (PV-1) and bovine herpes virus type 1 (BoHV-1).MethodsThe time-of-addition assay was performed at the times -2, -1, 0, 1 and 2 h of the infection. The virucidal activity and the inhibition of viral adsorption were also evaluated. Plaque assay was used to monitor antiviral activity throughout.ResultsThe AqE and LeP were more effective when added at 0 h of infection, however, EtOHE was more effective at the times 1 h and 2 h of the infection. AqE, EtOHE and LeP showed low virucidal activity, and the inhibition of viral adsorption was not significant.ConclusionsThe results allowed us to conclude that AqE, EtOHE and LeP act on the initial processes of the replication of both strains of virus.

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