Research Topic: Medicinal

Methods for Overcoming Chemoresistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Keeping the Focus on Cancer Stem Cells, a Systematic Review

Head and neck cancer is often resistant to chemotherapy because of cancer stem cells that survive treatment and cause recurrence. This review examined 31 studies on methods to overcome this resistance, finding that natural products like mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum), plants (sulforaphane from broccoli, curcumin from turmeric), and synthetic compounds can enhance chemotherapy effectiveness when combined with traditional drugs. These approaches work by targeting the specific pathways that allow cancer stem cells to survive, potentially improving treatment outcomes while reducing required drug doses and side effects.

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Essential Oils as an Antifungal Alternative to Control Several Species of Fungi Isolated from Musa paradisiaca: Part III

This study tested six common essential oils (from oregano, thyme, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and basil) to see if they could stop five types of fungi that spoil bananas after harvest. Thyme oil worked best, completely stopping fungal growth at the highest concentration tested. Cinnamon and oregano oils also worked well at moderate concentrations. These natural oils could replace synthetic fungicides and help keep bananas fresher longer during storage and transport.

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The Antioxidant Properties of Extracts of Cuscuta spp. Depend on the Parasite and the Host Species

Dodder plants (Cuscuta species) used in traditional medicine contain powerful antioxidant compounds that can help protect cells from damage. This study found that different dodder species have varying amounts of these beneficial compounds, and surprisingly, the type of host plant the dodder parasitizes directly affects how many antioxidants it produces. When dodders infect aromatic plants like thyme and rosemary, they accumulate more antioxidant compounds than when grown on other plants.

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Antifungal Policy and Practice Across Five Countries: A Qualitative Review

This study examined how five countries (Netherlands, Italy, South Korea, China, and India) manage invasive fungal infections through national policies. Researchers found that while all countries have some policies in place, there are significant gaps in diagnosis access, treatment availability, and healthcare professional training. The findings highlight the urgent need for stronger, more comprehensive policies to help patients suffering from serious fungal infections.

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Innovative applications of medicinal mushrooms in functional foods and nutraceuticals: a focus on health-boosting beverages

This comprehensive review explores how medicinal mushrooms are being transformed into health-boosting beverages like coffees, teas, and energy drinks. Mushrooms contain powerful compounds that support immunity, reduce inflammation, protect the liver, and enhance brain function. As consumers increasingly seek natural health alternatives, mushroom beverages are emerging as a major market trend, combining ancient wellness traditions with modern science to create convenient, tasty drinks that genuinely benefit health.

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Successful Treatment of Fungal Dermatitis in a Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

A bottlenose dolphin at a Japanese aquarium developed a serious fungal infection on its tail fin while suffering from severe digestive problems and weight loss. The infection was caused by two types of fungi that are normally hard to treat because they resist many antifungal medications. Veterinarians successfully treated the dolphin using a combination of two antifungal drugs (voriconazole and terbinafine), surgical removal of dead tissue, and daily wound cleaning with special solutions. The dolphin’s wound eventually healed completely, and this is the first documented successful treatment of these particular fungal infections in bottlenose dolphins.

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Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Compounds in Edible Mushroom-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Isolation and Characterization of EVs from Pleurotus eryngii

Scientists have isolated and studied tiny capsule-like particles called extracellular vesicles from the oyster mushroom Pleurotus eryngii. These vesicles, which are naturally produced by the mushroom, contain beneficial compounds like antioxidants that help protect cells from damage. The researchers found that vesicles from mushroom mycelium (the root-like part) were of higher quality and had stronger antioxidant effects than those from the fruiting body. These findings suggest that mushroom-derived vesicles could potentially be developed into health supplements or therapeutic treatments.

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Exploring the health benefits of Ganoderma: antimicrobial properties and mechanisms of action

Ganoderma is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years and is now being studied for its ability to fight infections. The mushroom contains special compounds like polysaccharides and triterpenoids that can kill harmful bacteria and fungi in multiple ways—by breaking down their cell walls, stopping them from reproducing, and boosting your immune system. Scientists have found that Ganoderma works against many dangerous bacteria including antibiotic-resistant strains, and it may offer a natural alternative to conventional antibiotics as antibiotic resistance becomes a major global health problem.

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Clinical aspects and recent advances in fungal diseases impacting human health

Fungal infections affect over a billion people worldwide and are becoming harder to treat due to growing resistance to antifungal medications. The review discusses major challenges in detecting and treating these infections, including difficulty in diagnosis and limited awareness among healthcare providers. New antifungal drugs are being developed and approved to address these challenges, but a comprehensive approach involving better awareness, improved testing, and responsible medication use is needed.

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Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenic Fungal Virulence Regulation by Cell Membrane Phospholipids

This review explains how the fats that make up fungal cell membranes directly influence how dangerous fungi become to humans. Different types of membrane fats help fungi change shape to invade tissues, survive stress in the body, and hide from immune cells. By understanding these processes, scientists can develop new ways to fight fungal infections by targeting the membrane components that fungi depend on for survival.

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