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Immunomodulatory Effects of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Bioactive Immunoregulatory Products

Summary

Mushrooms have been used for health for thousands of years and contain special compounds that help boost the immune system and fight cancer. Scientists have identified several key active ingredients in mushrooms like polysaccharides and proteins that can activate immune cells and reduce tumors. Some mushroom products like lentinan from shiitake mushrooms have already been approved as cancer treatments in Japan. While most evidence comes from lab studies, ongoing research suggests mushroom-based medicines could become important therapeutic options.

Background

Mushrooms have been valued as food and health supplements for centuries and are rich in bioactive compounds with immunoregulatory properties. There is growing interest in natural immunomodulators due to their safety profile compared to synthetic compounds. Medicinal mushrooms contain diverse immunoregulatory compounds including polysaccharides, lectins, fungal immunomodulatory proteins, and terpenes.

Objective

To review the current status of clinical studies on immunomodulatory activities of mushrooms and mushroom products, including their mechanisms of action both in vitro and in vivo. The review aims to describe approaches for developing and applying bioactive compounds from mushrooms and discuss areas for improvement before widespread therapeutic use.

Results

Multiple medicinal mushroom species produce diverse immunomodulatory compounds with varying efficacies. Key compounds include lentinan and schizophyllan with β-1,3-glucan structures approved for clinical use in Japan. Several polysaccharide-protein complexes and fungal immunomodulatory proteins have demonstrated immune-activation and anti-tumor properties in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Conclusion

Medicinal mushrooms represent an important source of natural immunomodulators with significant potential for therapeutic applications. Further animal model studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm safety and efficacy. Genetic engineering approaches could enable more efficient production of bioactive compounds for commercial therapeutic use.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 33171663
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