Researchers in Korea discovered three species of fungi living inside a brown seaweed called Dictyopteris pacifica. These fungi were previously unknown in Korea and were identified using genetic analysis. The fungi have mutualistic relationships with the seaweed and may produce compounds useful for medicines and treating diseases.
Natural plant and organism sugars called polysaccharides can improve your gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria and strengthening your intestinal barrier. These compounds help prevent diseases like obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease by changing the types of bacteria in your gut and producing helpful substances. Polysaccharides come from common foods like mushrooms, seaweed, berries, and vegetables, making them potential natural treatments for various health conditions.
This review examines how growing conditions affect the medicinal compounds produced by Cordyceps militaris mushrooms. The research shows that factors like light exposure, specific nutrient combinations, and growing on insect-based substrates can significantly boost production of beneficial compounds like cordycepin. These findings suggest ways to produce more effective and affordable medicinal mushroom products for use in supplements and pharmaceuticals.
Scientists tested special materials made with fungal melanin and plastic in space to see if they could protect against radiation. After 6 months on the International Space Station, materials containing fungal melanin showed better resistance to damage than regular plastic. These bio-based materials could help protect astronauts and equipment during long space missions while being more sustainable than traditional synthetic materials.
Ganoderma, a medicinal fungus used in traditional medicine for over 2000 years, contains many beneficial compounds including triterpenes and polysaccharides. Scientific research has confirmed its effectiveness in treating various conditions including cancer, diabetes, infections, and inflammation. The fungus works by boosting the immune system, reducing oxidative stress, and directly inhibiting disease-causing organisms. Modern cultivation methods have made Ganoderma products widely available as supplements and medicines worldwide.
This research reviews special types of steroids that contain oxirane rings, which are highly reactive chemical structures found in marine organisms, fungi, and plants. These compounds have shown promise in treating various diseases including cancer, inflammation, and high cholesterol. Scientists used computer software to predict and analyze the biological activities of over 150 different epoxy steroids, categorizing them by the position of their oxirane ring. The findings suggest these natural compounds could be valuable for developing new medicines and understanding how chemicals interact with our bodies.
Agaricus blazei Murill is an edible mushroom that contains many beneficial compounds including polysaccharides, vitamins, and minerals. Research shows it may help boost the immune system, reduce blood sugar levels, protect the liver, fight inflammation, and even have anti-cancer properties. While animal studies show promising results, more human clinical trials are needed to confirm its health benefits and establish proper dosing for therapeutic use.
This research examined 30 samples of medicinal mushrooms from the Phellinus genus collected across Europe, including Poland, Italy, Portugal, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. Scientists found that three species—Phellinus igniarius, Fomitiporia robusta, and Porodaedalea pini—are particularly rich in beneficial compounds, especially polysaccharides and antioxidants. These mushroom extracts showed impressive abilities to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria and protect cells from oxidative damage, suggesting they could become valuable sources for new medicines and functional foods.
This review examines a group of rare fungal compounds called incisterols, with a focus on demethylincisterol A3 (DM-A3), which has shown promise as an anticancer agent. DM-A3 works through multiple mechanisms including blocking cancer cell signaling pathways, inhibiting specific enzymes, and reducing inflammation. The compound has demonstrated effectiveness against various cancer types in laboratory studies and showed tumor-reducing effects in animal models, suggesting potential for future cancer therapy development.
Scientists optimized how to extract beneficial compounds from Phylloporia ribis mushrooms using artificial intelligence, finding that an AI-assisted method produced extracts with stronger antioxidant power and cancer-fighting properties than traditional statistical approaches. The optimized extracts showed promise in fighting free radicals, potentially supporting brain health against Alzheimer’s disease, and slowing cancer cell growth. This research demonstrates how combining mushroom extraction with modern AI technology could lead to more effective natural medicines.