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Journal of B.U.ON. : Official Journal... 2016Having a long historical past in traditional Chinese medicine, Ganoderma Lucidum (G. Lucidum) is a type of mushroom believed to extend life and promote health. Due to... (Review)
Review
Having a long historical past in traditional Chinese medicine, Ganoderma Lucidum (G. Lucidum) is a type of mushroom believed to extend life and promote health. Due to the increasing consumption pattern, it has been cultivated and marketed intensively since the 1970s. It is claimed to be effective in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, and in addition, it exerts anticancer properties. Almost all the data on the benefits of G. Lucidum are based on laboratory and preclinical studies. The few clinical studies conducted are questionable. Nevertheless, when the findings obtained from laboratory studies are considered, it turns that G. Lucidum is likely to have some benefits for cancer patients. What is important at this point is to determine the components that will provide these benefits, and use them in drug development, after testing their reliability. In conclusion, it would be the right approach to abstain from using and incentivizing this product, until its benefits and harms are set out clearly, by considering its potential side effects.
Topics: Agaricales; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Neoplasms; Plant Preparations; Reishi
PubMed: 27685898
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2021Medicinal mushrooms have important health benefits and exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antiallergic, antibacterial, antifungal,... (Review)
Review
Medicinal mushrooms have important health benefits and exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antiallergic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, cytotoxic, immunomodulating, antidepressive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, digestive, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, osteoprotective, and hypotensive activities. The growing interest in mycotherapy requires a strong commitment from the scientific community to expand clinical trials and to propose supplements of safe origin and genetic purity. Bioactive compounds of selected medicinal mushrooms and their effects and mechanisms in in vitro and in vivo clinical studies are reported in this review. Besides, we analyzed the therapeutic use and pharmacological activities of mushrooms.
Topics: Agaricales; Animals; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans
PubMed: 33435246
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020634 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023is a valuable mushroom known for its strong bioactive properties. It shows promising potential as an excellent neuroprotective agent, capable of stimulating nerve... (Review)
Review
is a valuable mushroom known for its strong bioactive properties. It shows promising potential as an excellent neuroprotective agent, capable of stimulating nerve growth factor release, regulating inflammatory processes, reducing oxidative stress, and safeguarding nerve cells from apoptosis. The active compounds in the mushroom, such as erinacines and hericenones, have been the subject of research, providing evidence of their neuroprotective effects. Further research and standardization processes for dietary supplements focused on are essential to ensuring effectiveness and safety in protecting the nervous system. Advancements in isolation and characterization techniques, along with improved access to pure analytical standards, will play a critical role in achieving standardized, high-quality dietary supplements based on . The aim of this study is to analyze the protective and nourishing effects of on the nervous system and present the most up-to-date research findings related to this topic.
Topics: Neuroprotective Agents; Agaricales; Neurons; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37958943
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115960 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023Edible/medicinal mushrooms have been traditionally used in Asian countries either in the cuisine or as dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. In recent decades, they... (Review)
Review
Edible/medicinal mushrooms have been traditionally used in Asian countries either in the cuisine or as dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. In recent decades, they have aroused increasing attention in Europe as well, due to their health and nutritional benefits. In particular, among the different pharmacological activities reported (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, immunomodulating, antidiabetic, etc.), edible/medicinal mushrooms have been shown to exert in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects on several kinds of tumors, including breast cancer. In this article, we reviewed mushrooms showing antineoplastic activity again breast cancer cells, especially focusing on the possible bioactive compounds involved and their mechanisms of action. In particular, the following mushrooms have been considered: , , , , , , , , and . We also report insights into the relationship between dietary consumption of edible mushrooms and breast cancer risk, and the results of clinical studies and meta-analyses focusing on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.
Topics: Humans; Female; Agaricales; Breast Neoplasms; Pleurotus; Dietary Supplements; Diet; Antineoplastic Agents; Shiitake Mushrooms
PubMed: 37373268
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210120 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2019Glucans are part of a group of biologically active natural molecules and are steadily gaining strong attention not only as an important food supplement, but also as an... (Review)
Review
Glucans are part of a group of biologically active natural molecules and are steadily gaining strong attention not only as an important food supplement, but also as an immunostimulant and potential drug. This paper represents an up-to-date review of glucans (β-1,3-glucans) and their role in various immune reactions and the treatment of cancer. With more than 80 clinical trials evaluating their biological effects, the question is not if glucans will move from food supplement to widely accepted drug, but how soon.
Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Agaricales; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Dietary Supplements; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Immune System; Nutritive Value; Signal Transduction; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 30935016
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071251 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023Medicinal mushrooms, e.g., Lion's Mane ( (Bull.) Pers.), Reishi ( (Curtis) P. Karst.), Chaga ( (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát), Cordyceps ( (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung,... (Review)
Review
Medicinal mushrooms, e.g., Lion's Mane ( (Bull.) Pers.), Reishi ( (Curtis) P. Karst.), Chaga ( (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát), Cordyceps ( (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones and Spatafora), Shiitake ( (Berk.) Pegler), and Turkey Tail ( (L.) Lloyd), are considered new-generation foods and are of growing interest to consumers. They are characterised by a high content of biologically active compounds, including (1,3)(1,6)-β-d-glucans, which are classified as dietary fibre, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, and sterols. Thanks to their low-fat content, they are a low-calorie product and are classified as a functional food. They have a beneficial effect on the organism through the improvement of its overall health and nutritional level. The biologically active constituents contained in medicinal mushrooms exhibit anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, these mushrooms accelerate metabolism, help fight obesity, and slow down the ageing processes thanks to their high antioxidant activity. The vast therapeutic properties of mushrooms are still not fully understood. Detailed mechanisms of the effects of medicinal mushrooms on the human organism still require long-term clinical studies to confirm their nutraceutical effects, their safety of use, and their dosage. Medicinal mushrooms have great potential to be used in the design of innovative functional foods. There is a need for further research on the possibility of incorporating mushrooms into food products to assess the interactions of their bioactive substances with ingredients in the food matrix. This review focuses on the properties of selected medicinal mushrooms and their effects on the human organism and presents current knowledge on the possibilities of their use in the production of functional foods.
Topics: Humans; Agaricales; Functional Food; Trametes; Antioxidants; Reishi; Nutritive Value
PubMed: 37513265
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145393 -
Nutrients Oct 2018When commonly consumed mushroom species are exposed to a source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as sunlight or a UV lamp, they can generate nutritionally relevant... (Review)
Review
When commonly consumed mushroom species are exposed to a source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as sunlight or a UV lamp, they can generate nutritionally relevant amounts of vitamin D. The most common form of vitamin D in mushrooms is D₂, with lesser amounts of vitamins D₃ and D₄, while vitamin D₃ is the most common form in animal foods. Although the levels of vitamin D₂ in UV-exposed mushrooms may decrease with storage and cooking, if they are consumed before the 'best-before' date, vitamin D₂ level is likely to remain above 10 μg/100 g fresh weight, which is higher than the level in most vitamin D-containing foods and similar to the daily requirement of vitamin D recommended internationally. Worldwide mushroom consumption has increased markedly in the past four decades, and mushrooms have the potential to be the only non-animal, unfortified food source of vitamin D that can provide a substantial amount of vitamin D₂ in a single serve. This review examines the current information on the role of UV radiation in enhancing the concentration of vitamin D₂ in mushrooms, the effects of storage and cooking on vitamin D₂ content, and the bioavailability of vitamin D₂ from mushrooms.
Topics: Agaricales; Animals; Biological Availability; Cooking; Diet; Food Handling; Humans; Nutritional Status; Nutritive Value; Recommended Dietary Allowances; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin D
PubMed: 30322118
DOI: 10.3390/nu10101498 -
Behavioural Neurology 2018, an ideal culinary-medicinal mushroom, has become a well-established candidate in promoting positive brain and nerve health-related activities by inducing the nerve... (Review)
Review
, an ideal culinary-medicinal mushroom, has become a well-established candidate in promoting positive brain and nerve health-related activities by inducing the nerve growth factor from its bioactive ingredient. Among its active compounds, only erinacine A has confirmed pharmacological actions in the central nervous system in rats. Hence, this review has summarized the available information on the neurohealth properties of mycelia enriched with erinacines, which may contribute to further research on the therapeutic roles of these mycelia. The safety of this mushroom has also been discussed. Although it has been difficult to extrapolate the studies to clinical situations, preclinical studies have shown that there can be improvements in ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and depression if mycelia enriched with erinacines are included in daily meals.
Topics: Agaricales; Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Diterpenes; Humans; Mycelium; Neurons; Neuroprotective Agents; Parkinson Disease
PubMed: 29951133
DOI: 10.1155/2018/5802634 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... May 2023Fungi play essential roles in global health, ecology, and economy, but their thermal biology is relatively unexplored. Mushrooms, the fruiting body of mycelium, were...
Fungi play essential roles in global health, ecology, and economy, but their thermal biology is relatively unexplored. Mushrooms, the fruiting body of mycelium, were previously noticed to be colder than surrounding air through evaporative cooling. Here, we confirm those observations using infrared thermography and report that this hypothermic state is also observed in mold and yeast colonies. The relatively colder temperature of yeasts and molds is also mediated via evaporative cooling and associated with the accumulation of condensed water droplets on plate lids above colonies. The colonies appear coldest at their center and the surrounding agar appears warmest near the colony edges. The analysis of cultivated mushrooms revealed that the hypothermic feature of mushrooms can be observed throughout the whole fruiting process and at the level of mycelium. The mushroom's hymenium was coldest, and different areas of the mushroom appear to dissipate heat differently. We also constructed a mushroom-based air-cooling prototype system capable of passively reducing the temperature of a semiclosed compartment by approximately 10 °C in 25 min. These findings suggest that the fungal kingdom is characteristically cold. Since fungi make up approximately 2% of Earth's biomass, their evapotranspiration may contribute to cooler temperatures in local environments.
Topics: Fruiting Bodies, Fungal; Pleurotus; Agaricus
PubMed: 37130151
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221996120 -
Fungal Biology Apr 2016Despite the longstanding use of dried mushrooms and mushroom extracts in traditional Chinese medicine, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of... (Review)
Review
Despite the longstanding use of dried mushrooms and mushroom extracts in traditional Chinese medicine, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of these preparations in the treatment of human disease. Consumers should evaluate assertions made by companies about the miraculous properties of medicinal mushrooms very critically. The potential harm caused by these natural products is another important consideration. In a more positive vein, the presence of potent toxins and neurotropic compounds in basidiomycete fruit bodies suggests that secondary metabolites with useful pharmacological properties are widespread in these fungi. Major investment in controlled experiments and objective clinical trials is necessary to develop this natural pharmacopeia.
Topics: Agaricales; Biological Products; Humans
PubMed: 27020147
DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2016.01.006