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A Review of the Therapeutic and Biological Effects of Edible and Wild Mushrooms

Summary

This research examines how both edible and wild mushrooms can benefit human health through their various therapeutic properties. Mushrooms contain powerful compounds that can help fight diseases, boost immunity, and provide nutritional benefits. Impact on everyday life: • Mushrooms can be incorporated into daily diets as natural supplements to boost immune system function • They offer potential natural alternatives or complementary treatments for various diseases including cancer and diabetes • Regular consumption may help prevent cognitive decline and support heart and liver health • They provide a sustainable and environmentally-friendly source of nutrition and medicine • Their cultivation can create economic opportunities for local communities

Background

Throughout history, mushrooms have been an inseparable part of diets globally, valued as rich sources of phytonutrients like polysaccharides, dietary fibers, micronutrients, and essential amino acids. Both wild edible and medicinal mushrooms demonstrate strong therapeutic and biological activities through in vivo and in vitro studies. Their multifunctional activities and targeted compounds show broad applications in healing and repairing various human organs and cells.

Objective

This review aims to provide comprehensive insights into commercially cultivated, wild edible, and medicinal mushrooms, focusing on their phytochemical constituents and properties as food and medicine for future exploitation. The review also examines future outlooks and challenges associated with cultivation and processing of medicinal mushrooms as functional foods.

Results

The review identified numerous therapeutic properties in mushrooms including antidiabetic, antioxidative, antiviral, antibacterial, osteoprotective, nephroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. Key findings showed that mushrooms contain important bioactive compounds like polysaccharides, proteins, terpenoids, and phenolics that contribute to their medicinal properties. The study found that Ganoderma lucidum and Hericium erinaceus demonstrated the most comprehensive range of pharmacological attributes.

Conclusion

Mushrooms demonstrate significant potential as both nutritional food sources and therapeutic agents due to their diverse bioactive compounds and pharmacological properties. While showing promise for various medical applications, more research is needed on cultivation technologies, post-harvest processing, and human clinical trials to fully understand their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. The review also highlights the need for further studies on unexplored wild variants and optimal cultivation conditions.
  • Published in:Bioengineered,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2001183
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