Medicinal properties of Hericium erinaceus and its potential to formulate novel mushroom-based pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Hericium erinaceus is an important mushroom with edible values and medicinal properties. Both the mycelium and the fruiting bodies contain many bioactive compounds with drug efficacy. Recent evidence demonstrates that it is helpful to various diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, immunoregulatory, and many types of cancer. Furthermore, emerging pieces of evidence have shown that different active molecules in H. erinaceus have different functions on different organs in different diseases via the different mechanisms. Drawing on current research results, this review mainly focuses on the therapeutic effects of H. erinaceus on various diseases of multiple physiological systems, including the nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system, and immune system. This paper also discusses systematically the efficient protection of H. erinaceus against the diseases from the intricate experimental proofs by using the systematic viewpoints, which provides a framework for future research directions.

Effects of amycenone on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10, and depression-like behavior in mice after lipopolysaccharide administration

“…The mushroom is called "Yamabushitake" and "Houtou" in Japan and China, respectively. The fruiting bodies of H. erinaceum contain several bioactive substances, including aromatic compounds, diterpenoids, steroids, and polysaccharides (Jiang et al, 2014;Khan et al, 2013;Wasser, 2014). A doubleblind, placebo-controlled study showed that oral administration of dried Yamabushitake powder to Japanese subjects is effective for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment patients (n = 15) (Mori et al, 2009).…”

Comparative studies on extracts from Hericium erinaceus by different polarity reagents to gain higher antioxidant activities

“…Due to its edibility and functionality, the mushroom has attracted considerable attention. H. erinaceus is able to alleviate complex neurodegeneration, decrease gastric mucosal damage and significantly reduce the levels of plasma triglycerides (1). In addition, H. erinaceus possesses antioxidant activities, immunoregulatory activities and anti-cancer roles (1).…”

“…H. erinaceus is able to alleviate complex neurodegeneration, decrease gastric mucosal damage and significantly reduce the levels of plasma triglycerides (1). In addition, H. erinaceus possesses antioxidant activities, immunoregulatory activities and anti-cancer roles (1). H. erinaceus contains proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates and a variety of trace elements, including phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper (1).…”

“…H. erinaceus contains proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates and a variety of trace elements, including phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper (1). All the nutrients serve different important roles in the multiple physiological systems of the organism, including the nervous, digestive, circulatory and immune systems (1).…”

Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of <i>Hericium</i><i> erinaceus </i>

“…Hericium erinaceus (also called lion's mane mushroom, HE) widely distributes in North America, Europe and Asia. The mushroom has been recognized as medical mushroom for long years, and especially popular in the traditional Chinese medicine (15,27). Recently, we also found its anti-obesity effect during menopause (14) and intake of HE altered the behavioral rhythm (10) by experiments on mice.…”