Research Topic: Medicinal

Different Symbiotic Species of Armillaria Affect the Yield and Active Compound Contents of Polyporus umbellatus

Polyporus umbellatus is a medicinal mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating water retention and swelling. This study found that the type of symbiotic fungus (Armillaria species) growing with the mushroom significantly affects both how much mushroom is produced and the amounts of beneficial compounds it contains. Among three Armillaria species tested, A. gallica produced mushrooms with the highest yields and the most polysaccharides, making it the best choice for cultivation.

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Candida tropicalis Fungal Keratitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

A 66-year-old patient with a long history of corneal problems developed a serious eye infection caused by a fungus called Candida tropicalis. Doctors identified the infection through laboratory tests and treated it successfully with antifungal medications. This is the first documented case of this particular fungal infection in Morocco and highlights the importance of testing for fungal infections in patients with existing eye problems.

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Chilean Aloysia Essential Oils: A Medicinal Plant Resource for Postharvest Disease Control

Researchers tested essential oils from two Chilean herbs, Aloysia citriodora and Aloysia polystachya, against fungi that cause fruit rot after harvest. They found that oil from Aloysia citriodora, especially a compound called farnesol, effectively killed the disease-causing fungi in laboratory tests. These natural oils could replace synthetic fungicides that are becoming less effective and harmful to the environment, offering farmers a safer way to protect their fruit during storage and transport.

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A Novel Erinacine S Derivative from Hericium erinaceus Overcomes Chemoresistance in Colorectal Cancer Cells by Enhancing TRAIL/TNFR1/DR5 Expression through Histone Acetylation

This study shows that erinacine S, a natural compound from Lion’s Mane mushrooms, can help overcome drug resistance in colorectal cancer cells. The compound works by activating pathways that trigger cancer cell death and by modifying how genes are expressed at the molecular level. In both laboratory experiments and animal models, erinacine S successfully stopped tumor growth and killed resistant cancer cells, suggesting it could be a promising natural treatment for patients with hard-to-treat colorectal cancer.

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Evaluation of antifungal effect of amphotericin B in comparison with nystatin on Candida species derived from patients undergoing head-and-neck radiotherapy

This study compared two antifungal medications (nystatin and amphotericin B) for treating oral yeast infections in cancer patients receiving head-and-neck radiotherapy. Researchers tested how well each drug worked against different Candida yeast species before and during radiation treatment. The results showed that nystatin was more effective than amphotericin B at killing the yeasts, with nystatin working against all yeast species tested, while amphotericin B had reduced effectiveness against some Candida albicans strains.

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How Should the Worldwide Knowledge of Traditional Cancer Healing Be Integrated with Herbs and Mushrooms into Modern Molecular Pharmacology?

This comprehensive review explores how traditional healing practices from around the world use plants and mushrooms to treat cancer. The authors examine thousands of plant species and their active compounds that show promise in fighting various types of cancer through multiple mechanisms like stopping cancer cell growth and triggering cell death. The review emphasizes that proper scientific validation, standardization, and safety testing can help integrate these traditional remedies into modern cancer treatment alongside conventional chemotherapy.

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Analysis of Susceptibility and Drug Resistance of Antifungal Agents in Aspergillosis and Mucormycosis Patients: A Systematic Review

This comprehensive study analyzed how well five major antifungal drugs work against common disease-causing fungi like Aspergillus and Mucorales. Researchers reviewed 96 studies examining over 16,000 fungal samples to understand resistance patterns. The findings show that different fungi respond better to different drugs—for example, Aspergillus flavus responds well to voriconazole, while amphotericin B works best against other Aspergillus species. This information helps doctors choose the most effective treatments for fungal infections in vulnerable patients.

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Identifying Key Pathogens and Effective Control Agents for Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus Root Rot

Astragalus (a valuable traditional Chinese herb) often develops root rot disease caused by harmful fungi. Researchers identified the specific fungi causing this disease and tested various chemical fungicides and beneficial bacteria to control it. Carbendazim fungicide and a biocontrol bacterium called KRS006 proved most effective, suggesting a combination approach could protect this important medicinal plant from disease.

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Fortifying a meal with oyster mushroom powder beneficially affects postprandial glucagon-like peptide-1, non-esterified free fatty acids and hunger sensation in adults with impaired glucose tolerance: a double-blind randomized controlled crossover trial

This study tested whether adding powdered oyster mushrooms to a meal could help people with impaired glucose tolerance manage their blood sugar and appetite. While the mushroom powder didn’t reduce blood glucose spikes as expected, it did lower fat levels in the blood, increase a hormone that promotes fullness, and reduced hunger. The results suggest that adding oyster mushroom powder to meals could be a simple dietary change that helps prevent diabetes and weight gain.

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The diagnosis of mucormycosis by PCR in patients at risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study reviews how well a molecular test called PCR can diagnose mucormycosis, a dangerous fungal infection. Researchers analyzed 30 studies covering over 5,000 patient samples and found that PCR works very well for detecting this infection, especially when using samples from the lungs. Blood tests were also effective but slightly less sensitive. The study recommends using PCR as part of updated diagnostic guidelines to help doctors catch this serious infection earlier, potentially improving patient outcomes.

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