Cytotoxic investigation of new compounds from a poisonous consumable mushroom Sarcosphaera coronaria (Jacq.) J. Schröt. (Syn: sarcosphaera crassa (Santi) Pouzar)

Sarcosphaera coronaria, a poisonous mushroom safe for consumption when cooked properly, was investigated for cytotoxic metabolites against HeLa (cervical), HT-29 (adenocarcinoma), and MCF-7 (breast) cancer cell lines. Polarity-based extracts from raw and baked mushroom parts were screened, advancing acetone and methanol extracts for detailed mycochemical analysis. Four new compounds were isolated from the methanol extract, including three amides: N-dodecanoyl-N-(ethylsulfinyl) hexadecanamide (1), N-(1,3,4-trihydroxyoctadecan-2-yl) tetracosanamide (2), N-(1,3,4-trihydroxycosane-2-yl) tetracosanamide (3) and a 1,2-dilinolenoyl glycerol (4). Compounds 1 and 2 were obtained from the raw mushroom, while compounds 3 and 4 were isolated from the baked mushroom. Structural elucidation was achieved via spectroscopic techniques, including IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and MS. Compound 4 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 52.44 ± 2.1 and 71.51 ± 0.8 µg/mL, respectively, and showed moderate activity against the HT29 cancer line (IC50: 86.85 ± 1.7 µg/mL). Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited similar moderate cytotoxic activity against HT29 (IC50: 83.83 ± 1.5 and 84.27 ± 3.2 µg/mL), MCF7 (IC50: 85.91 ± 2.1 and 86.41 ± 2.7 µg/mL), and HeLa (IC50: 90.91 ± 3.3 and 93.74 ± 1.48 µg/mL µg/mL) cancer cell lines, respectively. Due to the presence of these bioactive components, the mushroom has the potential to be developed into a valuable source of nutraceuticals.