Lentinus tigrinus is a wild edible basidiomycete typically inhabiting fallen logs. With the aim to assess its biosafety and its potential as source of toxic compounds with multi-bioactivities, this paper highlighted the embryo-toxicity and teratogenic effects of this mushroom on zebrafish (Danio rerio) as animal model. Its functional components obtained through hot water extraction produced teratogenic and toxic effects in zebrafish embryos. L. tigrinus extract significantly reduced the hatchability of zebrafish eggs at 1% or higher concentrations of the water extract and the heartbeat rate at 5% or higher concentrations. Treated embryos at 0.5%-10% concentrations showed developmental delay prior to the various abnormalities. Tail malformations, pericardial edema and under-develop organs were identified as the three main growth-delay related endpoints. Delayed development resulted to coagulation of embryos at an earlier phase, whereas developmental abnormalities that impede embryonic activities caused the lack of heartbeat at the latter phase. This report provides benchmark data on the strong biological activity of L. tigrinus, thus, investigation on the other functionalities is deemed necessary in the future studies.
