Medical mushroom extracts: chemical characterizzation, in vitro studies, and potential medical applications

Medicinal mushrooms have been a staple in diets worldwide, especially in Asia, due to their nutritional and therapeutic benefits. They contain bioactive compounds like terpenes, steroids, peptides, proteins, and polyphenols, known for their antimicrobial, antitumor, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory properties. Polysaccharides, are studied for their antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and immune-boosting effects, making medicinal mushrooms functional foods with a wide range of health applications, from disease prevention to overall health improvement. Tremella fuciformis and Hericium erinaceus show notable therapeutic potential. T. fuciformis is recognized for anti-aging, cholesterol regulation, neuroprotection, immune support, and skin hydration, while H. erinaceus offers anticancer and neuroprotective effects. This research examines two separate extracts from T. fuciformis, exploring their effects on osteoarthritis, skin health, and gastric protection. It also looks at H. erinaceus for cognitive decline. The study found that T. fuciformis’s hyaluronic acid (HA) extract enhanced joint health by improving intestinal permeability and promoting chondrocyte viability. Its chondroitin sulfate (CS) extract showed superior effects compared to animal sources, boosting chondrocyte health and reducing inflammation in osteoarthritis. The HA extract also improved skin hydration when combined with probiotics. Additionally, CS from T. fuciformis demonstrated gastric mucosal protection by reducing oxidative stress and promoting repair. Finally, H. erinaceus was tested for its neuroprotective properties, showing promise in cognitive health. This research highlights the potential of medicinal mushrooms in developing nutraceuticals for health and chronic disease prevention.