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Bioactive Peptides and Other Immunomodulators of Mushroom Origin

Summary

Mushrooms contain special compounds called peptides and proteins that can boost your immune system and fight harmful bacteria. These mushroom-derived compounds show promise as natural alternatives to antibiotics, which are becoming less effective due to antibiotic resistance. Researchers are studying how these mushroom compounds could help treat difficult infections, wounds that won’t heal, and cancer, though more testing is needed before they can be used widely as medicines.

Background

Mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and cuisine. Recent years have seen growing scientific interest in their immunomodulatory properties as alternatives to conventional antibiotics amid rising antimicrobial resistance. Fungi are increasingly recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds including peptides, polysaccharides, lectins, and proteins with therapeutic potential.

Objective

This review examines bioactive peptides and immunomodulatory compounds derived from mushroom origin. The authors describe the structures, mechanisms of action, and potential medical applications of various fungal-derived compounds while highlighting limitations and research gaps before clinical implementation.

Results

The review identifies multiple bioactive compounds from medicinal mushrooms with immunomodulatory effects including β-glucans, polysaccharopeptides, lectins, and FIPs. These compounds demonstrate antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties through various signaling pathways including NF-κB, MAPK, and others. Multiple mushroom species and their therapeutic compounds are catalogued with specific activities and cellular models.

Conclusion

Mushroom-derived bioactive compounds, particularly antimicrobial peptides, show significant promise as alternatives to conventional antibiotics and immunomodulatory agents. However, challenges including heavy metal accumulation, compound instability, and limited clinical data require further research. Advanced delivery systems and chemical modifications are needed before these compounds can be widely implemented as therapeutic agents.
  • Published in:Biomedicines,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 39062056
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