therapeutic action: immunomodulation

An Overview of α-Pyrones as Phytotoxins Produced by Plant Pathogen Fungi

This comprehensive review examines toxic compounds called α-pyrones that are produced by disease-causing fungi affecting crops and plants. These compounds act as natural poisons that help fungi damage plants, but interestingly, they also have potential medical uses including antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-cancer properties. Researchers have studied how the chemical structure of these compounds relates to their toxicity, which could help develop new herbicides for weed control and treatments for various diseases. The review covers dozens of these compounds and their applications in agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.

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Mushroom and cereal β-D-glucan solid state NMR and FTIR datasets

This research provides a large database of spectroscopic measurements from β-D-glucans extracted from various mushrooms and cereal grains. The data includes detailed chemical fingerprints obtained through two analytical techniques (NMR and infrared spectroscopy) that can help researchers understand the structure and properties of these beneficial compounds. The dataset is freely available for other scientists to analyze and use for developing new methods or understanding how different mushroom and cereal sources vary in their chemical composition.

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Erythema Nodosum Associated with Kerion: A Case Series and Narrative Review of the Literature

This paper describes a rare condition where patients develop painful red bumps on the shins (erythema nodosum) as a reaction to a severe scalp fungal infection (kerion) caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The authors reviewed 23 similar cases and found that this reaction usually happens during antifungal treatment and resolves within about a week. Treatment with antifungal medications like griseofulvin, sometimes combined with anti-inflammatory steroids, is effective, though scarring of the scalp may remain.

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Isolation and Antioxidant Mechanism of Polyphenols from Sanghuangporous vaninii

Researchers found that a medicinal mushroom called Sanghuangporous vaninii grown on mulberry sawdust in China contains exceptionally high levels of polyphenols—powerful antioxidant compounds. They isolated and purified a particularly potent polyphenol mixture called HNMS3, which contains 33 different compounds. Through advanced molecular analysis, they discovered that HNMS3 works by activating eight key proteins in the body to fight oxidative stress, making it potentially beneficial for brain health and preventing nerve degeneration.

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The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor synn. Coriolus versicolor (Turkey tail mushroom) exhibit anti-melanoma activity in vitro

Turkey tail mushrooms, used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, show promise in fighting melanoma skin cancer. Scientists tested mushroom extracts on melanoma cells in the laboratory and found they kill cancer cells through multiple mechanisms, including triggering programmed cell death and activating the immune system. The mushroom extract also reduced cancer cell migration and showed potential to work better when combined with standard chemotherapy drugs like paclitaxel. These findings suggest turkey tail could be a valuable addition to melanoma treatment strategies.

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Research advances in fungal polysaccharides: production, extraction, characterization, properties, and their multifaceted applications

This comprehensive review examines fungal polysaccharides, which are complex sugar molecules found in mushrooms and fungi that have powerful health benefits. Researchers describe how to grow and extract these compounds from various fungi, and explain their uses in treating diseases like cancer, reducing inflammation, and boosting immunity. The review covers different growing and extraction methods used worldwide and discusses future directions for using these natural compounds in medicine and industry.

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Edible Mushrooms and Beta-Glucans: Impact on Human Health

Mushrooms contain compounds called β-glucans that can help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation. These compounds show promise in cancer treatment when combined with conventional therapies and may help fight infections. While mushrooms have long been used in traditional medicine, modern research is confirming their health benefits and understanding how they work in the body.

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Exploring Psilocybe spp. mycelium and fruiting body chemistry for potential therapeutic compounds

Scientists studied magic mushrooms at different growth stages to understand their chemical makeup. They found that mature mushroom caps contain high levels of psilocybin (the psychedelic compound) but the root-like mycelium contains different beneficial compounds like ergothioneine and choline. This suggests mycelium could be developed as a therapeutic product without the psychedelic effects, potentially offering health benefits while avoiding the mind-altering properties.

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Things you wanted to know about fungal extracellular vesicles (but were afraid to ask)

Fungal extracellular vesicles are tiny particles released by fungal cells that play important roles in how fungi cause disease and how our immune system responds. These particles can either help fight infections or make them worse depending on the type of fungus and conditions involved. Scientists are discovering that these vesicles could potentially be used as vaccines and may explain why some antifungal drugs stop working.

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