Integrated Morphological, Molecular, and Chemical Characterization of the Macrofungus <i>Pholiota Gallica</i> With Phylogenetic Analysis and in Silico Antioxidant and Anti‐Inflammatory Evaluation

Abstract

Pholiota gallica is a rarely documented macrofungus, and little is known about its chemical composition and biological potential. This study provides an integrated morphological, molecular, and chemical characterization of P. gallica collected from Constantine, Algeria, along with phylogenetic analysis and an in silico evaluation of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Macroscopic observations revealed caps 3-8 cm in diameter, initially viscid, with adnate to slightly emarginate gills and rust-brown spore prints. Molecular analysis based on ITS rDNA confirmed the specimens as P. gallica, forming a well-supported clade with reference strains and clearly separated from closely related species. Chemical profiling showed a predominance of esters and terpenes, with 2,2,4-trimethylpentanediol-1,3-diisobutyrate (31.7%), 3-methylapopinene (19.2%), and 2,9-dimethyldecane (14.5%) as major components. The fatty acid profile was rich in unsaturated acids, particularly linoleic acid (44.8%) and oleic acid (33.1%), known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Molecular docking studies demonstrated strong binding interactions of these compounds with XO, MPO, 5-LOX, COX-2, and iNOS, suggesting their contribution to the bioactivity of P. gallica. These findings provide a solid foundation for future experimental studies and highlight the pharmacological potential of this macrofungus.