therapeutic action: immunomodulatory

Synthesis of fungal polysaccharide-based nanoemulsions for cancer treatment

Researchers developed tiny capsules (nanoemulsions) made from corn protein and chitosan to better deliver shiitake mushroom compounds to treat cancer and reduce inflammation. When shiitake extract was enclosed in these nano-sized carriers, it became much more effective at killing breast cancer cells, fighting bacteria, and reducing inflammation compared to using the mushroom extract alone. This technology could lead to new natural medicines and health supplements that are more effective at lower doses.

Read More »

Special Issue: Marine-Derived Compounds Applied in Cardiovascular Disease

This collection of studies explores how compounds from ocean sources like seaweed, fish, shrimp, and microalgae can help protect heart health and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Researchers examined various marine ingredients and found they can reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and prevent blood clots. The findings suggest that marine-derived products could become safer, more affordable alternatives or complements to current heart disease medications while supporting sustainable ocean resource use.

Read More »

Exploring the Nutritional Value and Bioactive Potential of Craterellus cornucopioides (L.) Pers. as a Functional Food Source

Black trumpet mushrooms from Romania have been found to contain high levels of beneficial compounds that protect cells from damage and fight harmful bacteria. The mushrooms showed strong antioxidant properties in laboratory tests and were effective against several disease-causing bacteria, though not against all types tested. These results suggest that black trumpets could be used as a natural supplement or food ingredient to support health and potentially help treat infections.

Read More »

A putative ABC transporter gene, CcT1, is involved in beauvericin synthesis, conidiation, and oxidative stress resistance in Cordyceps chanhua

Cordyceps chanhua is a medicinal fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine that produces a compound called beauvericin, which has health benefits but can be toxic in high amounts. Researchers discovered a gene called CcT1 that controls how much beauvericin the fungus makes. By removing this gene, they could reduce beauvericin production by 64%, making the fungus safer to use as medicine while maintaining other beneficial properties.

Read More »

Therapeutic and Nutraceutical Potential of Sargassum Species: A Narrative Review

Sargassum is a type of ocean seaweed that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and contains compounds that may help fight inflammation, oxidative stress, viruses, and bacteria. Scientists have discovered that different Sargassum species produce nearly 200 different bioactive compounds with potential health benefits ranging from reducing arthritis symptoms to supporting immune function. While Sargassum can accumulate harmful heavy metals like arsenic from seawater, researchers have developed effective cleaning methods to remove these contaminants while preserving the beneficial compounds. This makes Sargassum a promising sustainable source of natural medicines and health supplements.

Read More »

Recent advances in natural polysaccharides for type 2 diabetes management: sources, structural characteristics, and mechanistic insights

Natural polysaccharides from plants, mushrooms, and seaweed show promise as treatments for type 2 diabetes. These complex sugar molecules work through multiple mechanisms including improving how the body uses insulin, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and promoting beneficial gut bacteria. The effectiveness of these polysaccharides depends on their specific chemical structure, particularly their molecular weight and how their sugar units are linked together.

Read More »

The Antioxidant Properties of Mushroom Polysaccharides can Potentially Mitigate Oxidative Stress, Beta-Cell Dysfunction and Insulin Resistance

This research review explores how mushroom compounds called polysaccharides may help manage diabetes by reducing harmful stress on cells caused by high glucose levels. Scientists found that 104 different mushroom polysaccharides have anti-diabetic properties and can protect insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. These natural compounds show promise as a complementary treatment to conventional diabetes medications, potentially with fewer side effects than synthetic drugs.

Read More »

The Role of Wolfiporia cocos (F. A. Wolf) Ryvarden and Gilb. Polysaccharides in Regulating the Gut Microbiota and Its Health Benefits

Wolfiporia cocos, a fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years, contains polysaccharides that act as prebiotics to improve gut health. These polysaccharides promote the growth of beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful ones, increase production of healthy metabolites, and strengthen the intestinal barrier. By improving gut microbiota composition, these polysaccharides can help prevent and treat various diseases including obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory conditions.

Read More »

Indole-Based Compounds as Potential Drug Candidates for SARS-CoV-2

Scientists are searching for new treatments for COVID-19 by studying indole-containing compounds, which are found in many plants and can be made in laboratories. Some approved drugs with indole structures, like the antiviral drug Arbidol, have been repurposed to fight COVID-19. Researchers are also designing new indole compounds and using computer simulations to predict which ones might work best against the virus’s key proteins.

Read More »

The impact of continuous cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum on soil nutrients, enzyme activity, and fruiting body metabolites

This study examined how growing Ganoderma lucidum (a medicinal mushroom) on the same land for two consecutive years affects the soil and the mushroom’s beneficial compounds. Researchers found that continuous cultivation depleted soil nutrients and reduced enzyme activity, particularly in the top layer of soil. The mushrooms grown in the first year had more beneficial compounds than those grown in the second year, with differences linked to changes in soil quality and microbial activity.

Read More »
Scroll to Top