Anacardium plants are native to the American tropical regions, and Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew tree) is the most recognized species of the genus. These species contain rich secondary metabolites in their leaf and shoot powder, fruits and other parts that have shown diverse applications. This review describes the habitat and cultivation of Anacardium species, phytochemical and nutritional composition, and their industrial food applications. Besides, we also discuss the secondary metabolites present in Anacardium plants which display great antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. These make the use of Anacardium species in the food industry an interesting approach to the development of green foods.

Mushrooms are one of the indispensable elements of human diets. Edible mushrooms stand out with their aroma and nutritional properties. In this study, some biological activities of the wild edible mushroom Hericium erinaceus were determined. In this context, firstly, the most suitable extraction conditions of the fungus in terms of biological activity were determined. First, 64 different experiments were performed with the Soxhlet device under 40–70 °C extraction temperature, 3–9 h extraction time, and 0.5–2 mg/mL extraction conditions. As a result, a total antioxidant status (TAS) analysis was performed, and the extraction conditions were optimized so that the objective function was the maximum TAS value. The data obtained from the experimental study were modeled with artificial neural networks (ANNs), one of the artificial intelligence methods, and optimized with a genetic algorithm (GA). All subsequent tests were performed using the extract obtained under optimum extraction conditions. The antioxidant capacity of the mushroom was assessed using Rel assay kits and the DPPH and FRAP techniques. The agar dilution method was used to measure the antimicrobial activity. The anti-Alzheimer activity was assessed based on the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The antiproliferative activity was assessed against the A549 cancer cell line. The total phenolic content was measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. The measurement of total flavonoids was conducted using the aluminum chloride test. LC-MS/MS equipment was used to screen for the presence of standard chemicals. The optimum extraction conditions were found to be a 60.667 °C temperature, 7.833 h, and 1.98 mg/mL. It was determined that the mushroom has high antioxidant potential. It was determined that the substance was successful at combating common bacterial and fungal strains when used at dosages ranging from 25 to 200 µg/mL. The high antiproliferative effect of the substance was attributed to its heightened concentration. The anti-AChE value was found to be 13.85 μg/mL, while the anti-BChE value was confirmed to be 28.00 μg/mL. The phenolic analysis of the mushroom revealed the presence of 13 chemicals. This investigation found that H. erinaceus exhibits robust biological activity when extracted under appropriate circumstances.

Infundibulicybe geotropa (Bull.) Harmaja is an edible mushroom found in Bolu province in northwestern Turkey. The chemical composition and bioactivity of these mushrooms has not been previously investigated. We examined the phenolic composition, elemental content, and antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of methanol extracts of fruiting bodies. The phenolic compounds in the fungal samples were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and element content was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined using the commercially available Rel assay kit. The antigenotoxic effects of the extract were determined using the MTT assay to assess cell viability and the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay). The total phenolic content (ppm) of I. geotropa was found to be catechin (361±2.31), clorogenic acid (553.54±5.06), and coumaric acid (9.93±0.25). The TAS, TOS, and OSI of the extract were 1.854±0.051 mmol/L, 30.385±0.399 μmol/L, and 1.639±0.067, respectively. The elemental levels were within “normal” range. In HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells, the extract (100 and 200 μg/ml) showed no genotoxic potential and ameliorated hydrogen peroxide- (H₂O₂-) induced oxidative DNA damage. I. geotropa may be considered a good nutrient due to its phenolic constituents and antioxidant potential.

The SARS CoV-2 pandemic has affected millions of people around the globe. Despite many efforts to find some effective medicines against SARS CoV-2, no established therapeutics are available yet. The use of phytochemicals as antiviral agents provides hope against the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2. Several natural compounds were analyzed by virtual screening against six SARS CoV-2 protein targets using molecular docking simulations in the present study. More than a hundred plant-derived secondary metabolites have been docked, including alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, and steroids. SARS CoV-2 protein targets include Main protease (M^Pro), Papain-like protease (PL^pro), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), Spike glycoprotein (S), Helicase (Nsp13), and E-Channel protein. Phytochemicals were evaluated by molecular docking, and MD simulations were performed using the YASARA structure using a modified genetic algorithm and AMBER03 force field. Binding energies and dissociation constants allowed the identification of potentially active compounds. Ligand-protein interactions provide an insight into the mechanism and potential of identified compounds. Glycyrrhizin and its metabolite 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid have shown a strong binding affinity for M^Pro, helicase, RdRp, spike, and E-channel proteins, while a flavonoid Baicalin also strongly binds against PL^pro and RdRp. The use of identified phytochemicals may help to speed up the drug development and provide natural protection against SARS-CoV-2.

Microbial diseases have become quite common in recent years. The interest in new antimicrobial drugs is increasing due to the possible side effects of synthetic drugs and the emergence of resistant microorganisms due to unconscious antimicrobial drug use. Mushrooms have the potential to be used as a natural resource in the fight against microorganisms. In this context, in this study, the effects of different fungal species against different viral diseases were compiled in the literature. According to the findings, it has been reported in the literature that many different mushroom species are effective against Herpes virus (HSV-1, HSV-2, BoHV-1, HCMV), Influenza (A, B, H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H9N2) and Parainfluenza, Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), Poxvirus, Vaccinia virus, Poliovirus, Vesicular stomatitis viruses (VSV), Adenovirus, Syncytial virus (RSV), Dengue virus ( DENV-2), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis A, B, C virus, Feline calicivirus (FCV), Enterovirus, Coxsackievirus, Coronavirus, Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Tobacco Mosaic virus (TMV). In this context, it is thought that mushrooms can be a very important natural resource against viruses.

In this study, biological activities and phenolic contents of endemic Ferulago platycarpa Boiss. & Bal. were determined. Within the scope of biological activity, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant and oxidant status of plant extracts were determined. Phenolic contents were determined by using HPLC. Antimicrobial activity was determined against bacteria and fungus strains using the modified agar method. Antioxidant and oxidant status were calculated with Rel Assay kits. Gallic, chlorogenic, cinnamic, syringic acids, epicatechin, catechin and quercetin were found in the plant. It was also determined that the plant has antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. But, because of higher TOS value, it was considered that the plants, which were collected from region suitable for OSI value, could be a natural antioxidant source.