Medicinal – Page 18

Changes of Active Substances in Ganoderma lucidum during Different Growth Periods and Analysis of Their Molecular Mechanism

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Scientists studied how the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum changes as it grows, discovering that different growth stages contain different beneficial compounds. The budding stage was found to have the highest levels of powerful healing compounds called triterpenoids and steroids. This research helps identify the best time to harvest the mushroom to get maximum health benefits, improving both quality and standardized production for medicinal use.

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.

Targeting the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway: the active metabolites of botanical drugs represent potential strategies for treating metabolic-associated fatty liver disease

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Fatty liver disease is becoming increasingly common and current medications have side effects like dangerously low blood sugar. This review shows that natural plant-based compounds and traditional Chinese herbs can activate a key protein (AMPK) in the body that helps burn fat and regulate sugar levels. Over 30 different plant compounds from foods and herbs like ginger, curcumin, and ganoderma mushrooms have been shown to improve fatty liver disease by activating this protein through multiple beneficial mechanisms.

Negative affective bias in depression following treatment with psilocybin or escitalopram – a secondary analysis from a randomized trial

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This research compared how psilocybin mushrooms and escitalopram (a common antidepressant) affect the way depressed people perceive emotions. Both treatments helped patients become better at recognizing positive facial expressions and less likely to misinterpret neutral or positive faces as negative. Interestingly, while both treatments improved emotional processing similarly, the improvements were connected to later mood improvement in different ways for each drug, suggesting they may work through somewhat different mechanisms in the brain.

Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products on Liver Cancer and Their Potential Mechanisms

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This review examines how natural products from plants, fungi, and marine organisms can help treat liver cancer more safely and effectively than current drugs. These natural compounds work through multiple pathways such as triggering cancer cell death, stopping cell growth, and boosting the immune system. The research found that seven categories of natural products show promise, with sources ranging from ginseng and turmeric to mushrooms and seaweed, offering potential new treatment options that could reduce side effects and drug resistance.

Genome Sequence, Comparative Genome Analysis, and Expression Profiling of the Chitinase GH18 Gene Family in Cordyceps javanica Bd01

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Scientists sequenced the complete genome of Cordyceps javanica, a fungus used to control pest insects. They discovered that this fungus has an expanded family of 27 chitinase genes (GH18), which are enzymes that help the fungus penetrate insect exoskeletons. These genes show strong evolutionary conservation and stability, making them valuable for developing more effective natural pesticides and understanding how fungal biocontrol agents work.

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Potential Benefits and Challenges in Mental Health Treatment

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This review examines how psychedelic substances like psilocybin and MDMA, when combined with professional psychotherapy, show promise in treating difficult-to-treat mental health conditions including depression, PTSD, and anxiety. While early research suggests these substances could help in cases where conventional treatments have failed, the evidence is still preliminary and limited by small study sizes. Psychedelics appear to work by changing how the brain processes information and memories, though much more rigorous research is needed before they can be considered standard treatments.

Evaluation of Lipid Changes During the Drying Process of Cordyceps sinensis by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)-Based Lipidomics Technique

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This study examines how different drying methods affect the lipid content of Cordyceps sinensis, a valuable medicinal mushroom. Researchers compared three drying techniques—freeze-drying, oven-drying, and air-drying—and found that freeze-drying best preserves the mushroom’s beneficial lipids, while oven-drying causes significant degradation. The findings provide practical guidance for mushroom producers on selecting optimal drying methods to maintain the medicinal quality and nutritional value of this prized fungus.

Acute Kidney Failure and Myocarditis Triggered by Magic Mushroom Toxicity in a Patient With Prior Cocaine Exposure

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A middle-aged man who used magic mushrooms along with alcohol and LSD developed severe kidney failure and heart inflammation. He had previously used cocaine, which made his condition worse by promoting blood clots throughout his body. Despite dialysis treatment, his kidneys stopped working, he developed heart problems and blood clots in major blood vessels, and he unfortunately passed away. This case highlights how dangerous it can be to mix magic mushrooms with other drugs, especially for people with a history of cocaine use.

Production of Myco-Nanomaterial Products from Pleurotus ostreatus (Agaricomycetes) Mushroom via Pyrolysis

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Scientists have discovered a new way to create tiny fluorescent particles called carbon nanodots from oyster mushrooms using heat treatment. These particles glow under certain light conditions and show promising ability to fight bacteria like E. coli. The process is environmentally friendly, uses waste mushroom material, and could lead to new ways to treat infections and reduce dependence on antibiotics.

Research Topic: Medicinal