Biological Activities and Nutraceutical Potentials of Water Extracts from Different Parts of Cynomorium coccineum L. (Maltese Mushroom)

Abstract

Maltese Mushroom (Cynomorium coccineum L.) is a non-photosynthetic plant that has been used in traditional medicine for many centuries. In this paper, water extracts from the whole plant, external layer and peeled plant were studied to determine the main components responsible for its biological activities, i.e., its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-tyrosinase activities; its cytotoxicity against mouse melanoma B16F10 cells; and its pro-erectile activity in adult male rats. The results of electron transfer and hydrogen transfer assays showed that the antioxidant activity was mainly due to anthocyanins in the external layer, whereas the external layer and peeled plant extracts both inhibited the microbial growth of several Gram-positive strains. In contrast, the whole plant extract had the highest anti-tyrosinase activity and exhibited pro-erectile activity when administered subcutaneously. Overall, this study elucidated which parts of Maltese Mushroom are responsible for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-tyrosinase activities and thus which extracts have potential for use in nutraceutical formulations.

Nanosizing Cynomorium: Thumbs up for Potential Antifungal Applications

“…Yet at the same time, various products derived from it are biologically active, and have been used for centuries to treat common disorders, as they show certain antiemetic, aphrodisiac and hypotensive activities [8][9][10]. Furthermore, we have recently reported some aspects of the active compounds found in this plant and possible mode(s) of action associated with them [7]. Here, we provide initial evidence for the straightforward production of good quality nanoparticles of Cynomorium-both its external layer and peeled interior-and for the significant activity of some of these preparations against a common pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans.…”

“…Freeze-dried plant material was mechanically homogenized using ultra-turrax (IKA Werke GmbH & Co., Staufen, Germany), and extracted at room temperature, as already described, with minor Inventions 2017, 2, 24 4 of 10 modifications [7]. Briefly, 5 g aliquots were suspended in 25 mL purified water and gently stirred for 60 min.…”

“…Here, Cynomorium, the Maltese Mushroom or Desert Thumb, as this parasitic non-photosynthetic plant is also known, seems to be a fine choice (Figure 1). Cynomorium is a renewable resource found readily and quite abundantly on islands such as Malta and Sardinia, is devoid of chlorophyll, yet rich in pharmacologically interesting anthocyanins and polyphenols, such as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and gallic acid, and its external layer is rather hard and brittle [7]. Moreover, parts of the plant are edible, and hence not particularly toxic to humans.…”

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Potential Differences between Cynomorium coccineum L. Growing in Italy and in Tunisia: Effect of Environmental Stress

“…Total anthocyanin determination was performed as already described [6]. Differential pH absorbance at 510 nm and 700 nm were measured using 0.2 M HCl/KCl pH 1.0 and 1 M sodium acetate buffers pH 4.5.…”

“…Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (a widespread anthocyanin) has been identified as the main component of the external layer of C. coccineum [5,6].…”