Fungal Bioactive Compounds as Emerging Therapeutic Options for Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 5/16/2025
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Summary
Mushrooms contain special compounds that may help protect our brains as we age. These fungal compounds fight inflammation, reduce harmful free radicals, and help clear out damaged cellular parts—all things that slow down brain aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. While the research looks very promising in lab and animal studies, scientists still need to figure out how to make these compounds work better in the human body and prove they’re safe and effective in patients.
Background
Aging is a complex biological process characterized by progressive multiorgan deterioration and is associated with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Fungal-derived bioactive compounds have emerged as promising neuroprotective agents due to their diverse biological properties including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, pro-autophagic, and neurotrophic effects.
Objective
This review examines the potential therapeutic role of fungal metabolites in promoting brain health and longevity during aging. The authors provide a comparative evaluation with focus on mechanisms of action of fungal bioactive compounds in addressing age-related neurodegenerative disorders.
Results
Key fungal metabolites including polysaccharides, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds have been shown to modulate neuroinflammatory pathways, enhance neuronal survival, stimulate protective autophagy, and promote synaptic plasticity. Multiple fungal species demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-autophagic properties with documented effects on mitochondrial function and neurogenesis.
Conclusion
Fungal-derived bioactive compounds represent a promising emerging field in anti-aging research with therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases. However, challenges related to bioavailability, standardization, and clinical translation remain unresolved, necessitating further research to unlock their full therapeutic potential.
- Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
- Study Type:Review,
- Source: 40429941