Medical Mycology: Open Access

Keywords

Mushrooms; pharmaceutical properties of mushroom; bioactive compounds; TAU; Polysaccharides contents of mushrooms; healthy food

Introduction

Mushrooms are charming creatures. They are nor plants but have been produced intelligent survival strategies which protect their coexistence to this day in a wide variety of types and about to all over our planet. With their beneficial components medicinal mushrooms have been appropriate to a variety of indications (Williams). They can be used to deal with common modern complaints such as neurodegeneration, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders and allergies as well as in the prohibition and complementary treatment of cancers. Mushrooms contain vitamin b12 that help to maintain proper functioning of brain and nerves tissue. (Shoemark). They balance the immune system, prevent premature aging processes and have a counterbalance effect on the Psyche-and all without undesired harmful side reactions (Harrison-Dunn). Mushrooms have been rich in B-glucans which have a major group of bioactive polysaccharrides that have powerful immunomodulating properties which originate in the cell wall of mushrooms and fungi (Watkinson, Boddy, Money). Mushrooms are natural antioxidant due to their phenolics have ability to inhibit lipid oxidation. (Fu). Mushrooms have the large variety of bioactive compounds including infratopicrin, 10-hydroxy-infratopicrin, hispidin, dictyophorines, tricholomalides, termitomycesphin, strophasterol, leccinine, termitomycamides, 3,4-dihydroxybenzylacetone, caffeic acid, ethanol, caruilignan, neuroprotective diterpenes and adenosine. Eritadenine well known hypocholestrolemic agent in shittake mushrooms (Anno). Nucleic acid extract help in platelet agglutination from Lentinula edodes. Dietry fibers extracts from Pleurotus cornucopiae , Tremella fuciforms, jews ear reduce LDL cholesterol, antherogenic activity. Grifola frondosa reduce pressure without reduce cholesterol level (Tonelli). Mushrooms possess anticoagulation, antiaggregatory activity thus reduce total cholesterol ,total triglyceride, and lipid levels. Dehydrotrametenolic acid found in several polypores including Wolfiporia cocos, Laricifomes officinalis act as insulin sensitizer in glucose tolerance tests and reduces hyperglycemia in mice with non insulin dependant diabetes (Tan). Tau is the major microtubule associated protein (MAP) of a mature neuron. The other two neuronal MAPs are MAP1 and MAP2. An established function of MAPs is their interaction with tubulin and promotion of its assembly into microtubules and stabilization of the microtubule network. The microtubule assembly promoting activity of tau, a phosphoprotein, is regulated by its degree of phosphorylation. Normal adult human brain tau contains 2–3 moles phosphate/mole of tau protein. (Watkinson, Boddy, Money). Hyperphosphorylation of tau depresses this biological activity of tau. In Alzheimer disease (AD) brain tau is three to four-fold more hyperphosphorylated than the normal adult brain tau and in this hyperphosphorylated state it is polymerized into paired helical filaments (PHF) admixed with straight filaments (SF) forming neurofibrillary tangles. TAU accumulated in large quantity in mushroom body neurons that result in the prevention of pre-mature death and neuro degeneration(Tonelli, 2015). Mushrooms extracts activate effector cells like macrophages, lymphocytes to secrete cytokines like TNF-a which are antiproliferative and induce apoptosis and differentiation in tumor cells. Lentinan from Lentinula edodes, schizophyllan and MD fraction are in clinical use for immunotherapy in addition to major cancer therapies ( Vikineswary). Mycelial extract from Keuhneromyces mutabilis , phenolic compounds from Inonotus hispidus and ergosterol shows antiviral activity against influenza virus type A and B (Dong, 2014) .Antiviral activity of Collybia maculate is due to phenolic compound. Ganosporeric acid A and Ganoderic acid R and S from Ganoderma lucidum shows invitro antihepatotoxic activity in the galactosamine induced cytotoxic activity. (Klein) Phenol analogus compound from Hericium erinaceous have an ameliorative effect in Alzheimers dementia. Several mushrooms including Ganoderma applanatum have inhibitory effect on neutral endopeptidase for treatment of pain (More). Mushrooms represent one of the greatest available food that are not used and palatable food of the future. Mushrooms as functional food available as nutrient supplement to enhance immunity in the form of tablets (Malani, 2010). Their polysaccharide content is used as anticancer drug. Protein content depends on composition of the substratum, size of the pileus, harvest time and species of mushrooms. Fruiting body of mushrooms contain high level of mineral elements (Hinton).Major mineral constituents in mushrooms are K, P , Na, Ca, Mg. Aqueous extracts from Pleurotus sajor caju used for treatment of renal failure .First successful research against antitumor from the hot water extract of mushrooms (Choi). Shittake mushroom are reduced in nutrition but have a good source of protein (Zhu) . Mushrooms also include some unsaturated fatty acids which have been produced vitamin B and Vitamin D. Some also include important vitamin as well as the minerals , Potassium , phosphorous , calcium and magnesium (Weng).[1-3].

For medicinal reason, mushrooms have also been utilize to avoid cancer and heart diseases to recover blood flow and to decrease cholesterol (Patte Mensah). Some mushrooms have also been used for the dealing of physical and exciting tension, osteoporosis, and chronic hepatitis for the development of superiority of live of patients with diabetes and particularly for the invigoration of immunity (Kiryushko). Now a days there are 270 species of mushrooms have been known to have many therapeutic properties. Medicinal mushrooms have been used as common medicinal ingredients for the treatment of many diseases and relevant health problems chiefly due to their increased commercial production (Nevzglyadova).[4-6].

List of medicinal and edible mushrooms used for the mitigation of neurodegenerative, cancerous and other disorders:

Hericium erinaceus

1. erinaceus is commonly used in Chinese cuisine recipes. The extract of H. erinaceus was reported to exert neurotrophic action and improve myelination process in the rat brain without affecting nerve cell growth and toxicity.29 A polysaccharide with a molar ratio of glucose (1.5): galactose (1.7): xylose (1.2): mannose (0.6): fructose (0.9) was isolated from the mycelium of H. erinaceus and it was reported to enhance neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. H. erinaceus was found to promote neurite outgrowth of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, enhance NGF(neurite growth factor) mRNA expression, and increase NGF secretion from 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells(Kiryushko). They are natural antioxidant due to their phenolics have ability to inhibit lipid oxidation

Termitomyces titanicus

It is known as jizong (Chinese ).It belong to the order agaricales. It have long edible stem. Its origin is from nest of termites. It enhance the neurite outgrowth and gives neuroprotection. Shi et al (2012). These are ideal food for dietetic prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Eritadenine well known hypocholestrolemic agent in it.

Leccinum extremiorientale

It is known as Far-eastern Scaber stalk. Its cap is red to brown in color and areolate. It gives neuroprotection. Choi et al .(2011). Nucleic acid extract help in platelet agglutination from Leccinum extremiorientale. 80% reduction in serum cholesterol by eating whole mushroom and 30% ethanol extracts of this mushroom.

Sarcodon cyrneus

It is known as bitter tooth. It belong to the group thelephorales. It has bitter taste “cyrneus” due to Mediterranean habitat. It enhance the outgrowth activity of neuron.(Marcotullio et al. ( 2007). It possess anticoagulation, antiaggregatory activity thus reduce total cholesterol ,total triglyceride, and lipid levels.

Phellinus linteus

Chinese called it Songgen while Korean called it Swang Hwang. Its cap color range from brown to yellow in color and it grows on trees of mulberry . It enhance the activity of neurite outgrowth and cause the inhibition of BACE1(beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1). Dai. Polysaccharides and lectins of Phellinus linteus show hypoglycemic effect. Most common animal model is rat to study hypoglycemic effect of mushrooms. (Allodi In Rats Insulin dependant diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin to study the effect of at 20% DW for 100 days .

Tremella fuciformis

It is known as white jelly fungus , snow mushroom and silver Ear mushroom. Its shape is of frond likeand white in color. Its fruiting body is gelatinous. It enhance the activity of neurite outgrowth. Park .It has been traditionally used in china for the treatment of cancer. Calvacin isolated from gaint puff ball was very effective against many experimental tumors like sarcoma 180 , leukemia l-1210 etc Approximately 650 species of higher basidiomycetes possess antitumor activity. (Darras).[12-14].

Stropharia rugosoannulata

It is known as burgundy cap and wine cap. Its fruiting body is of bell shape and color range from brown , red to tan. It also give neuroprotection. (Wu). They are immune potentiators and immune stimulants. Mushrooms extracts activate effector cells like macrophages, lymphocytes to secrete cytokines like TNF-a which are antiproliferative and induce apoptosis and differentiation in tumor cells.( Keogh).[7-11].

Dictyophora indusiata

It is known as queen of the mushrooms.also known as bamboo mushroom and Phallus indusiata .Its cap is of bell shape and also conical like. That covered by brown to greenish spore. It enhance the neurite outgrowth. MD fraction from this mushroom has been approved by the food and drug administration for drugs application for treatment of breast and prostate cancer. (Goyal)

Tricholoma sp.

It is matsutake mushroom belong to agaricales order . Its stem is fleshy and gilled cap. It is also mycorrhizal .It inhibit the activity of AChe, and enhance the neurite outgrowth. Tel .Applanoxidic acid isolated from Tricholoma show antifungal effect . Extracts from it inhibited growth of microorganisms for skin diseases. Ethanolic mycelial extracts from it possess antiprotozoal activity against paramecium caudatum.

Daldinia concentrica

It is known as king Alfred,s cake, coal fungus matsutake and cramp balls. Its fruiting body is of ball in shape and coal black n color. It gives neuroprotection. Quang

Cortinarius infractus

It is also known as bitter web cap. Its cap is gray to brown in color and have bitter and sour taste . it inhibit the AChe activity. Brondz. Ganodermadiol., Applanoxidic acid from it posses invitro antiviral activity against influenza virus type A, herpes simplex virus type 1. (Udina)

Mycoleptodonoides

It is known as breech oyster mushroom. It is edible mushroom and mostly found in Kashmir region. Its cap color is yellow to white, and have smooth surface and little stem. It has savoury taste. It enhance neurite outgrowth and give neuroprotection. Okuyama et al . (2004)

Lignosus rhinoceros

It is known as tiger milk mushroom. It possess underground sclerotium and solitary fruiting body. It enhance neurite outgrowth.Eik.

Mycoleptodonoides

It is known as breech oyster mushroom. It is edible mushroom and mostly found in Kashmir region. Its cap color is yellow to white, and have smooth surface and little stem. It has savoury taste. It enhance neurite outgrowth and give neuroprotection.Okuyama et al . (2004)

Antrodia camporata

It belong to the class agaricomycetes and order polyporales. Only under the cavity of endemic tree species , it exhibit the growth. It is a Taiwan mushroom. It cause the inhibition of beta amyloid and gives neuroprotection.( Leeds). Eating of it led to regression of severe allergic symptoms in a patient with urticarial.

Grifola frondosa

They are known as dancing mushrooms and hen of the woods. Highly regarded in Japan. Prized as edible in Europe , North America Heavily promoted in Asia as dietry supplement .It is of spoon shaped and manifold curled. It enhance the neurite outgrowth. (Allen, Watson).Supportive treatment for Hypertension, hepatitis ,Cancer especially bladder cancer, Blood sugar imbalance.

Cordyceps Sinensis

Summer plant, winter worm. Formely only available to chinese royalty; now cultivated. Thought to promote stamina, sexual vitality. Fruiting body is of club shape. It enhance neurite outgrowth. The caterpillar mushroom have also been used for centuriese as a drug.it has been increased in performance and tolerance.(Berezin V). Sustain the immune system. Remove sexual function disorder. Lighten the people modes. Promotion of heart and lung function. Muscle modification.

Auricularia Polytricha(Black Chinese fungus,Wood fungus)

Jew,s mushroom is one of the most important edible mushroom. Reports indicated that it was earlier cultivated around 150 years ago in china. Therefore the use of Auricularia to develop human health have been a centuries old tradition( Levin). Advancement of blood flow, for arteriosclerosis. Promote the blood pressure. Reduce blood clotting. Boosting the own body defense. Auricularia can promote the flow properties of blood without attacking the blood walls. (Lopez,)

Agaricus blazei Murrill (almond mushroom)

The positive response of ABM on human health were first discovered in Brazil about 40 years ago. Its demand rapidly increased from cancer point of view and ABM have many medicinal properties. it does not grow on wood but it have been required a fermented culture medium. Prevent integrative therapy for cancers. Promote healing for skin health. Regulate blood pressure. Promote the immune system. Regulate the gut function. Promote inflammation. (Krieger DW)

Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporous)

It is an edible mushroom.it has been cultivated from 17 years ago. Agaricus mushroom is very important for the improvement of human health. The number of studies have been shown that button mushroom is very important for human organism in terms of medicinal properties. Interdependent for therapy cancer. Reduce tumor disorder. Supporting the liver health. Inhibit excessive scarring. It follow the glaucoma surgery on the eyes.(Roupas).[15-16].

Coprinus commatus

Shaggy ink cap is most important medicinal mushroom. It has been grown in forests and meadows. The protein-rich mushroom whicj also include many important amino acids and large number of minerals and trace elements. It can regulate the blood sugar level for diabetes. Promote the blood flow. It can also regulate the process of digestion.it has equivalent therapy for cancer sarcomas. Prevention of blood cancer cells.

Coriolus versicolor

It has been widely used in south American countries for medicinal purpose. Coriolus is highly active for viral and bacterial infections and used as correlative therapy for cancer. It inhibit and correlate the treatment of tumor disorder. Regulate the durability of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Support the immune system specifically against the viral infections. Promote liver functions.(Filli,)

Conclusion

Now a days Edible and Medicinal mushrooms have gained special importance because a large number of bioactive compounds are present in mushrooms and they are widely used in the treatment of various non- communicable and life threatening diseases and reduce the cost of expensive treatments. Edible mushrooms act as a functional food, and they proved very beneficial for health as they are high in protein content and low in fat content. Mushrooms are not in our common use because of less awareness present in our peoples regardings the mushrooms and their useful aspects, so there is need to increase awareness in peoples relating to mushrooms and we should further improve our knowledge and increase the research in this field.

References

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