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Bioactive Potential of Various Mushrooms as the Treasure of Versatile Therapeutic Natural Product

Summary

This research provides a comprehensive overview of how mushrooms can be used as natural medicines. Mushrooms contain powerful compounds that can boost immunity, fight cancer, heal wounds, protect the liver, and combat various diseases. Their therapeutic potential comes from natural substances they produce that have multiple health benefits. Impacts on everyday life: • Mushrooms can be incorporated into daily diet as natural immune boosters and antioxidants • Certain mushroom extracts could help in wound healing and recovery • Mushroom compounds show promise as natural alternatives to conventional medicines • Regular consumption may help prevent various diseases through antioxidant effects • Mushroom-based supplements could provide natural therapeutic benefits with fewer side effects

Background

Mushrooms have remained an eternal part of traditional cuisines due to their beneficial health potential and have long been recognized as folk medicine for their broad spectrum of nutraceuticals, therapeutic and prophylactic uses. They contain various metabolites like terpenes, steroids, anthraquinone, phenolic acid, and benzoic acid, while primary metabolites contain proteins, oxalic acid, and peptides. Nutritionally, they are rich in protein and amino acids but lack fatty acid content, though they contain significant amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B12, C, D, and E.

Objective

To curate and review the tremendous benefits and varieties of various mushrooms, unveiling their use at a broad scale to be resource-able for future therapeutic usage. The review aims to highlight therapeutic activities with their active ingredients for different mushroom species.

Results

The review found significant evidence for multiple therapeutic properties of mushrooms including: wound healing activity through promotion of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, anti-HIV effects through inhibition of reverse transcriptase and viral proteins, anticancer properties via various mechanisms, immunomodulatory effects through regulation of cytokines and immune cells, antioxidant activity through various compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids, antibacterial effects against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and hepatoprotective actions through regulation of liver enzymes. Clinical trials, though limited in number, showed positive outcomes for immunity enhancement, hematopoiesis improvement, and reduction in oxidative stress.

Conclusion

Mushrooms possess diverse bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic potential for treating and preventing many life-threatening diseases. Their primary and secondary metabolites show outstanding properties including antiviral, anticancer, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and other beneficial effects. While many mushroom varieties have been studied, there remain many unexplored species that warrant further investigation. Advanced interventions and additional clinical trials are needed to fully understand and utilize mushrooms’ therapeutic potential.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Narrative Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof7090728
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