SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITIES OF Pycnoporus coccineus – A MEDICINAL MUSHROOM FROM SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE, ODISHA

The present study aims to evaluate the screening and evaluation of phytochemicals and anticancer activities of pycnoporus coccineus - a medicinal mushroom from similipal biosphere reserve, Odisha. Pycnoporus coccineus is a saprophytic, white-rot decomposer fungus in the family Polyporaceae. A widely distributed species, the fungus was first described scientifically by Elias Magnus Fries in 1851. This genus is distinguished from most other polypore because of its brilliant red-orange colour. Many compounds produced by fungi have relevant pharmaceutical applications. This study was carried out to evaluate the antiproliferative and antioxidative potential of Pycnoporus coccineus. Sample was collected from Similipal Biosphere Reserve in the month of February and preparation of extract by soxhlet methods using different solvents (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol). Perform qualitative tests for different phytochemicals screening and found the ethylacetate extract of Pycnoporusa coccineus revealed the presence of major phytochemical constituents. Assessment of cytotoxicity of solvent extracts of Pycnoporusa coccineus using PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell) from human blood. TLC sheet coated with silica gel was used as the stationary phase. It was sprayed with 0.2% DPPH in methanol as an indicator. The presence of antioxidant compounds was detected by yellow spots against a purple background on the TLC sheet sprayed with 0.2% DPPH in methanol.