European medicinal polypores – A modern view on traditional uses

Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.: Fr.) Murr. as Food as Medicine

“…Unlike other polypores, the mushroom has a long history of consumption especially in North America, Japan and Thailand where it is considered a delicacy. 11 During past decades, this ethno-mycological aspect has been dealt with many scientists in different parts of the world (Figure 1C). Analysis of multiple studies have shown that nutritionally the mushroom provides various key components such as carbohydrate, proteins including essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and fibre which may offer excellent opportunity to promote public health.…”

“…12 Traditional use of the fruit bodies for treatment of pyretic diseases, coughs, gastric cancer and rheumatism is being widely followed in European countries. 11 However, the mushroom became highlighted in scientific world during 1960s after successful biosynthesis of eburicoic acid. 1 Later on, several biologically active components and extracts have been prepared from fruiting bodies or mycelia exhibiting a number of medicinal properties such as immunomodulation, antitumor, hem agglutination, anticoagulation, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, anti-ulcer, insulin tropic, anti-HIV and cytostatic activities.…”

“…1 However, the information should be updated by incorporating recent outcomes and a compiled study is necessary to get an updated summary. In that view, article written by Grienke et al (2014) 11 is highly suitable, although the overview was confined to European polypores. Therefore, this review intends to provide a comprehensive worldwide information on the fungus as a valuable health promoting medicinal food so that researchers and food industrialists can acquire current scientific knowledge.…”

Medicinal properties of fungi occurring on Betula sp. trees. A review

“…The constituents of P. betulinus that account for antioxidative properties include: phenolic acids, organics, flavonoids, tocopherols, and vitamins [6,21]. Phenolic acids include p-hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, and vanillin acids [6].…”

“…Many undervalued species of polyporoid fungi growing mainly on birch that show medicinal properties can be found in Poland. Such compounds as polysaccharides [2][3][4][5][6][7][8], polyphenols [6,9], triterpenes [6,10,11] which are contained in them demonstrate positive influence on the human organism; they mainly exhibit anticancer [4,5,9,[12][13][14][15], anti-inflammatory [16,17], anti-bacterial [18] and immunostimulant [2,7,19] activity.…”