Development of a natural functional supplement from pleurotus ostreatus and cordyceps militaris to mitigate side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Keywords:
Pleurotus ostreatus; Cordyceps militaris; Antioxidant activity; Immunomodulation; Chemotherapy side effects.Abstract
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while effective against cancer, often induce oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and systemic side effects that impair patient quality of life. This study aimed to develop a natural functional supplement from Pleurotus ostreatus and Cordyceps militaris to mitigate these adverse effects. Optimized extraction was achieved using a 30:70 ethanol–water solvent at 60 °C for 120 min, maximizing phenolic- and protein-associated bioactive recovery. The combined extract demonstrated notable antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 41.22 ± 2.94 mg/mL (DPPH assay) and 58.73 ± 3.81 mg/mL (lipid peroxidation inhibition), indicating moderate free radical scavenging and membrane lipid protection. Macrophage proliferation assays revealed a biphasic response, with maximal stimulation (12.04 ± 0.21%) at 0.0016 mg/mL, suggesting potent immunomodulatory effects at low doses. These findings support the synergistic potential of P. ostreatus and C. militaris bioactives in reducing oxidative damage and enhancing immune function, offering a safe, sustainable adjunct for patients undergoing cancer therapy.
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