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Cognitive Healthy Aging in Mice: Boosting Memory by an Ergothioneine-Rich Hericium erinaceus Primordium Extract

Summary

This research investigated how a mushroom extract from Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) rich in ergothioneine could help prevent age-related memory decline. The study found that supplementing mice with this extract helped maintain their memory abilities as they aged by reducing brain inflammation and oxidative stress while improving neural communication. This has important implications for healthy aging and cognitive function. Key impacts on everyday life: – Suggests natural supplements like Lion’s Mane mushroom extract could help maintain cognitive function during aging – Offers a potential preventive approach for age-related memory decline – Demonstrates how natural compounds can protect brain health – Provides evidence for using mushroom supplements as part of healthy aging strategies – Shows promise for developing natural interventions to support cognitive health in older adults

Background

Brain aging is a crucial risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders and dementia, with memory being one of the most affected cognitive functions that worsens early during aging. Inflammation and oxidative stress play key roles in cognitive impairment pathogenesis, with links between aging/frailty and immunosenescence/inflammaging. Medicinal mushrooms represent a potential source for developing therapeutic interventions, with Hericium erinaceus showing various beneficial actions from immune system boosting to fighting senescence.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of an ergothioneine-rich Hericium erinaceus primordium extract (He2) in preventing cognitive decline in a murine model of aging, focusing on recognition memory deterioration and associated molecular markers in the hippocampus.

Results

He2 supplementation prevented recognition memory decline during aging and decreased key markers of inflammation (IL6, TGFβ1, GFAP) and oxidative stress (Nrf2, SOD1, COX2, NOS2) in the hippocampus. The treatment also increased expression of glutamate receptors NMDAR1 and mGluR2. The extract showed selective neuroprotective effects in different hippocampal regions, with distinct patterns of molecular marker changes in the dentate gyrus versus CA1 region.

Conclusion

An eight-month oral supplementation with ergothioneine-rich He2 primordium demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects, preventing cognitive deterioration by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress while enhancing glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus. The effects were region-specific within the hippocampus, suggesting targeted neuroprotective action.
  • Published in:Biology (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Animal Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/biology12020196
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