Neuroprotective Effects of Mushroom Biomass Digestive Fractions and Gut Microbiota Metabolites in Microglial and Caenorhabditis elegans Models of Neurodegeneration

This study tested whether common and medicinal mushrooms could protect against Alzheimer’s disease by reducing harmful reactive oxygen species in brain cells. Researchers tested three mushroom types using digestive simulation to see what the body could absorb, plus key compounds made by gut bacteria. The mushroom extracts and certain bacterial metabolites successfully reduced cellular damage markers and improved behavior in disease-model worms, suggesting mushroom-rich diets may help prevent neurodegeneration.