Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2014 Mar 24. [Epub ahead of print]
Therapeutic potential of culinary-medicinal mushrooms for the management of neurodegenerative diseases: diversity, metabolite, and mechanism.
Abstract
Abstract
Mushrooms have long been used not only as food but also for the
treatment of various ailments. Although at its infancy, accumulated
evidence suggested that culinary-medicinal mushrooms may play an
important role in the prevention of many age-associated neurological
dysfunctions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Therefore,
efforts have been devoted to a search for more mushroom species that
may improve memory and cognition functions. Such mushrooms include
Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, Sarcodon spp., Antrodia
camphorata, Pleurotus giganteus, Lignosus rhinocerotis, Grifola
frondosa, and many more. Here, we review over 20 different
brain-improving culinary-medicinal mushrooms and at least 80 different
bioactive secondary metabolites isolated from them. The mushrooms
(either extracts from basidiocarps/mycelia or isolated compounds)
reduced beta amyloid-induced neurotoxicity and had
anti-acetylcholinesterase, neurite outgrowth stimulation, nerve growth
factor (NGF) synthesis, neuroprotective, antioxidant, and
anti-(neuro)inflammatory effects. The in vitro and in vivo studies on
the molecular mechanisms responsible for the bioactive effects of
mushrooms are also discussed. Mushrooms can be considered as useful
therapeutic agents in the management and/or treatment of
neurodegeneration diseases. However, this review focuses on in vitro
evidence and clinical trials with humans are needed.
