Secondary Metabolites of Isaria cicadae and Isaria tenuipes: Bioactive Compounds and Safety Concerns

This research examines the chemical compounds produced by two medicinal mushrooms commonly used in Asian traditional medicine and health foods. While these fungi have beneficial properties, some of their compounds can be toxic, raising important safety concerns for consumers. Impacts on everyday life: • Highlights the need for better safety testing of traditional medicinal mushrooms • Suggests the importance of quality control standards for mushroom-based health products • Helps consumers make more informed decisions about fungal supplements • Demonstrates the dual nature of natural products as both beneficial and potentially harmful • Emphasizes the importance of proper regulation of traditional medicine products