Lentinus edodes: A Macrofungus with Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

Lentinus edodes is the first medicinal macrofungus to enter the realm of modern biotechnology. It is the second most popular edible mushroom in the global market which is attributed not only to its nutritional value but also to possible potential for therapeutic applications. Lentinus edodes is used medicinally for diseases involving depressed immune function (including AIDS), cancer, environmental allergies, fungal infection, frequent flu and colds, bronchial inflammation, heart disease, hyperlipidemia (including high blood cholesterol), hypertension, infectious disease, diabetes, hepatitis and regulating urinary inconsistencies. It is the source of several well-studied preparations with proven pharmacological properties, especially the polysaccharide lentinan, eritadenine, shiitake mushroom mycelium, and culture media extracts (LEM, LAP and KS-2). Antibiotic, anti-carcinogenic and antiviral compounds have been isolated intracellularly (fruiting body and mycelia) and extracellularly (culture media). Some of these substances were lentinan, lectins and eritadenine. The aim of this review is to discuss the therapeutic applications of this macrofungus. The potential of this macrofungus is unquestionable in the most important areas of applied biotechnology.

Constructing a new integrated genetic linkage map and mapping quantitative trait loci for vegetative mycelium growth rate in Lentinula edodes

“…Despite being an important part of Asian cuisine culture, L. edodes has been increasingly adopted in Western cooking (Tur1o et al 2008). Pharmacologically, L. edodes is renowned for its antitumor and antiviral activities, and it is the first medicinal macrofungus to enter the realm of modern biotechnology (Bisen et al 2010). As a lignin-decomposing fungus, L. edodes possesses a powerful ligninolytic enzyme system (Kwan et al 2012) and a huge potential for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic wastes (Gait anHern andez et al 2006; Philippoussis et al 2007).…”

Acceleration of Five Types Edibel Wood Mushroom Production through Varied Harvest Synchronization Temperature Settings

“…Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) is also the first medicinal mushroom to enter the realm of modern biotechnology. It is the second most popular edible mushroom in the global market which is attributed not only to its nutritional value but also to possible potential for therapeutic applications (Bisen et al, 2010).…”

Understanding the Bioconversion of Quercus baronii Wood during the Artificial Cultivation of Lentinus edodes

“…L. edodes is rich in ergosterol and produces vitamin D2 by bioconversion (Ko et al 2008;Lee et al 2009). Previously, it was thought that L. edodes influenced the immune system, possessed antibacterial properties, reduced platelet aggregation, and possessed other anti-disease properties (Nakano et al 1999;Oba et al 2009;Bisen et al 2010). Sadly, none of these effects has been proven with sufficient scientific evidence.…”

“…Sadly, none of these effects has been proven with sufficient scientific evidence. Recently, L. edodes, which was valued not only for its nutritional value but also for its potential therapeutic applications, has become the first medicinal macrofungus to enter the realm of modern biotechnology (Bisen et al 2010;Welbaum 2015). L. edodes is used medicinally for disease treatments including depressed immune function, cancer, fungal infections, frequent flu and colds, infectious diseases, bronchial inflammation, heart disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis, and urinary inconsistencies (Tochikura et al 1989;Tsujinaka et al 1990;Gordon et al 1998;Kim et al 1999;Nakano et al 1999;Odani et al 1999;Cowawintaweewat et al 2006;Nimura et al 2006;Terakawa et al 2008;Yang et al 2008;Oba et al 2009;Turner and Chaudhary 2009;Wang et al 2009;Jiang et al 2013;Kim et al 2014).…”