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Medicinal Fungi with Antiviral Effect: A Comprehensive Review

Summary

This research reviews how medicinal mushrooms can help fight viral infections. These fungi, which have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, contain natural compounds that can both directly fight viruses and boost the body’s immune system. The study shows that different mushroom species like reishi, cordyceps, and shiitake contain various beneficial substances that work against many types of viruses including COVID-19, flu, and herpes. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides natural alternatives or supplements to conventional antiviral medications • Offers potential preventive health benefits through consuming medicinal mushrooms as food or supplements • Could help develop new treatments for common viral infections like flu and herpes • May contribute to fighting future viral pandemics • Suggests ways to boost immune system naturally through mushroom consumption

Background

In today’s world, viral infectious diseases pose serious threats to human health. RNA viruses are particularly concerning due to their high mutation rates during replication. While classic antiviral drugs like interferon and ribavirin show in vitro efficacy, they often have limitations including drug resistance and high costs. Medicinal fungi have been widely used globally, with documented use in traditional medicine systems for thousands of years. They produce various bioactive compounds including proteins, polysaccharides and alkaloids that demonstrate health benefits including antiviral properties.

Objective

This review aims to comprehensively summarize the antiviral activities of medicinal fungi and their bioactive components against human, animal and plant viruses. The review analyzes both macromolecular and small molecular antiviral components from medicinal fungi and classifies them based on target viruses to provide reference for developing antiviral applications.

Results

The review identified 18 key medicinal fungi species with significant antiviral properties. Active compounds included polysaccharides, proteins, triterpenes, and other bioactive molecules showing efficacy against viruses including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, HIV, hepatitis viruses, herpes viruses, and various animal and plant pathogens. Many demonstrated multiple mechanisms of action including direct antiviral effects and immune system modulation.

Conclusion

Medicinal fungi contain complex bioactive components that can effectively combat viral infections through multiple mechanisms. Their special properties make them particularly suitable as health foods and supplements. While some compounds have entered clinical use, there remains significant untapped potential in medicinal fungi as sources of novel antiviral agents. The review highlights their promise both as direct antiviral treatments and as vaccine adjuvants.
  • Published in:Molecules,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3390/molecules27144457
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