neuroprotection – mycolab.ai

Neuroprotective effects of psilocybin in a rat model of stroke

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Scientists studied whether psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, could protect the brain from stroke damage in rats. They found that psilocybin reduced brain damage, improved movement and behavior recovery after stroke, and worked by increasing a protective brain chemical called BDNF. This research suggests psilocybin could become a new treatment for stroke patients, especially since stroke often leads to depression and anxiety, which psilocybin may also help treat.

Screening of a Fraction with Higher Amyloid β Aggregation Inhibitory Activity from a Library Containing 210 Mushroom Extracts Using a Microliter-Scale High-Throughput Screening System with Quantum Dot Imaging

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Researchers screened 210 mushroom species from Japan to find those that could prevent harmful protein clumping in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They identified a purified fraction from the mushroom Elfvingia applanata that was more effective than a known anti-Alzheimer’s compound at stopping these protein clumps from forming. The extract also protected nerve cells from damage in laboratory tests. This finding suggests mushrooms could potentially be developed into a functional food to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Isolation and Evaluation of Erinacine A Contents in Mycelia of Hericium erinaceus Strains

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Researchers developed a new method to extract and purify erinacine A, a beneficial compound from lion’s mane mushrooms, using an advanced separation technique called high-speed countercurrent chromatography. They tested 15 different mushroom strains and found that a wild strain called HeG produced significantly more erinacine A than commercially cultivated varieties. Erinacine A shows promise for protecting brain health and potentially helping with diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This discovery could help make erinacine A supplements more accessible and affordable for consumers.

Psilocin, A Psychedelic Drug, Exerts Anticonvulsant Effects Against PTZ- and MES-Induced Seizures in Mice via 5-HT1A and CB1 Receptors: Involvement of Nitrergic, Opioidergic, and Kynurenine Pathways

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Researchers tested psilocin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, and found it could reduce seizures in mice at low doses (3-5 mg/kg) without causing psychedelic effects. The anticonvulsant benefits were mediated through several brain pathways including serotonin, cannabinoid, opioid, and nitric oxide signaling systems. The effects persisted for at least 9 days after a single dose, suggesting psilocin may have potential as a new treatment for epilepsy, though human clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Fungal Bioactive Compounds as Emerging Therapeutic Options for Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders

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Mushrooms contain special compounds that may help protect our brains as we age. These fungal compounds fight inflammation, reduce harmful free radicals, and help clear out damaged cellular parts—all things that slow down brain aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. While the research looks very promising in lab and animal studies, scientists still need to figure out how to make these compounds work better in the human body and prove they’re safe and effective in patients.

A multilocus phylogeny of Hericium (Hericiaceae, Russulales)

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Researchers conducted the first comprehensive genetic study of lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium species) using advanced DNA sequencing techniques. The study resolved long-standing confusion about different species and their relationships, while also describing a new species from western North America. These mushrooms are prized both as food and for traditional medicinal uses, particularly in Asia, and contain compounds with potential anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties. Better identification of species will help both commercial cultivators and medical researchers work with the correct organisms.

Fractionation of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Extract by Solid-Phase Extraction and Subsequent Encapsulation in Liposomes Prepared by Reverse-Phase Evaporation

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Saffron is a valuable spice with powerful health benefits, but its beneficial compounds break down easily and don’t absorb well when eaten. This research developed a special two-step process to extract and purify saffron’s active ingredients, then encapsulated them in tiny fatty spheres called liposomes to protect them in the stomach and improve absorption. The results show that liposomes can effectively trap the beneficial saffron compounds, making them more stable and more likely to reach the tissues where they’re needed.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of neuroprotective antioxidants from Ganoderma lucidum

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This research studied how to best extract healing compounds from the reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), an important traditional Chinese medicine. Using advanced extraction techniques and computer modeling, scientists identified optimal conditions that doubled the amount of beneficial antioxidants obtained compared to conventional methods. They then tested these extracts on nerve cells in the laboratory, demonstrating that the extracts effectively protected cells from oxidative damage and injury.

Dietary live microbe intake and its association with Parkinson’s disease in American adults: an NHANES analysis (1999–2018)

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This study found that eating more foods rich in live microbes—like fermented products (yogurt, kimchi) and fresh fruits and vegetables—is associated with lower rates of Parkinson’s disease in American adults. The protective effect was strongest in people without obesity. The live microbes appear to work by maintaining a healthy gut environment, reducing inflammation, and protecting nerve cells from damage. This suggests that regular consumption of microbe-rich foods from nature might be a simple, inexpensive way to help prevent or slow Parkinson’s disease.

Edible mushrooms as emerging biofactories for natural therapeutics and oral biopharmaceutical delivery

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Mushrooms are emerging as natural medicine factories that can be genetically engineered to produce medications taken by mouth. Beyond their traditional use as health foods, scientists are now using advanced genetic techniques to program mushrooms to manufacture therapeutic proteins and vaccines. These engineered mushrooms can naturally package and protect these medications as they pass through the stomach, releasing them safely in the intestines for absorption. This approach offers a sustainable, affordable, and cold-chain-independent alternative to conventional injected medications.

Research Keyword: neuroprotection