MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Mushrooms-Rich Preparations on Wound Healing: From Nutritional to Medicinal Attributes

Summary

Mushrooms are nutritious foods that contain beneficial compounds like β-glucans and polysaccharides which can help wounds heal faster. These compounds work by activating immune cells and promoting collagen production, which are essential for skin repair. Research shows that mushroom extracts from species like Ganoderma lucidum and Hericium erinaceus can accelerate wound closure in experimental models and may benefit diabetic wound care and burn treatment.

Background

Mushrooms have been used for centuries in human diets as functional foods and nutraceuticals. They contain bioactive metabolites that contribute to prevention and treatment of various health hazards. Recent scientific research has focused on verifying the wound-healing potential of medicinal mushroom extracts and their metabolites through different mechanisms.

Objective

This review aims to summarize the nutritional value and composition of mushrooms, their ethnobiology and ethnopharmacology, and their potential for wound healing. The authors sought to synthesize existing literature on how mushroom bioactive compounds contribute to different phases of the healing process.

Results

Mushrooms contain high protein, low fat, and significant amounts of vitamins B, C, D, and K, minerals, and dietary fibers. β-glucans, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and other bioactive molecules promote wound healing through immune cell stimulation, collagen synthesis, macrophage infiltration, and fibroblast activation. Multiple mushroom species demonstrated efficacy in wound healing models in rats and some clinical applications.

Conclusion

Mushroom preparations rich in polysaccharides and phenolic compounds show significant potential for wound healing through multiple biological mechanisms. The nutritional and medicinal attributes of mushrooms support their use as functional foods and therapeutic agents. Further studies are needed to assess bioactive compound potential and develop mushroom-based cosmetic and medical applications, while understanding risks of toxic species.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Pharmacology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3389/fphar.2020.567518, PMID: 33041809
Scroll to Top