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The Application of Mushrooms or Mushroom Extracts to Enhance Health

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2020) | Viewed by 34594

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Karen Bishop

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Guest Editor

Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics/Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Interests: cancer risk/progression modified by nutrition; gene–diet interactions; dietary interventions; medicinal mushrooms; characteristics of heritage tangerine tomatoes
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Dear Colleagues,

Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries, particularly amongst indigenous communities, to promote health and longevity. Bracket fungi, such as Ganoderma lingzhi and Fomitopsis pinicola, tend to be woody and are often consumed as extracts in the form of soup or tea, whilst the fruiting body of the more delicate Hericium erinaceus is consumed as a whole. In the modern era, medicinal mushrooms and their extracts/products are often regarded as functional foods and/or nutraceuticals. Although the term “nutraceutical” has no regulatory definition, scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of mushroom nutraceuticals is increasing, and many species carry great commercial value.

For this Special Issue, we invite authors to submit research and review articles as well as opinion pieces or hypotheses related to “The application of mushrooms or mushroom extracts to enhance health”. Review articles should be accompanied by a PRISMA flow chart (or similar), and in vitro experiments in which cell lines are utilised must state authentication details and the status of mycoplasma testing.

Dr. Karen Bishop
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

mushroom nutraceuticals
mushrooms as functional foods
anti-aging activity
anti-cancer activity
anti-diabetic activity
anti-inflammatory activity
pathogenic mushrooms in the food chain
consumer attitudes to mushroom nutraceuticals

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 3016 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Mushroom Extracts on Human Platelet and Blood Coagulation: In vitro Screening of Eight Edible Species

by Barbara Poniedziałek, Marek Siwulski, Adrian Wiater, Iwona Komaniecka, Anna Komosa, Monika Gąsecka, Zuzanna Magdziak, Mirosław Mleczek, Przemysław Niedzielski, Jędrzej Proch, Mariola Ropacka-Lesiak, Maciej Lesiak, Eliana Henao and Piotr Rzymski

Nutrients 2019, 11(12), 3040; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu11123040 - 12 Dec 2019

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6550

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading global cause of mortality indicating the need to identify all possible factors reducing primary and secondary risk. This study screened the in vitro antiplatelet and anticoagulant activities of hot water extracts of eight edible mushroom species (Agaricus bisporus, Auricularia auricularia-judae, Coprinus comatus, Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus eryngii, and Pleurotus ostreatus) increasingly cultivated for human consumption, and compared them to those evoked by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). The antioxidant capacity and concentration of polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, organic acids, ergosterol, macro elements, and trace elements were also characterized. The most promising antiplatelet effect was exhibited by A. auricularia-judae and P. eryngii extracts as demonstrated by the highest rate of inhibition of adenosine-5′-diphosphate (ADP)-induced and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced aggregation. The response to both extracts exceeded the one evoked by 140 µmol/L of ASA in the ADP test and was comparable to it in the case of the AA test. Such a dual effect was also observed for G. lucidum extract, even though it was proven to be cytotoxic in platelets and leukocytes. The extract of P. ostreatus revealed an additive effect on AA-induced platelet aggregation. None of the mushroom extracts altered the monitored coagulation parameters (prothrombin time, prothrombin ratio, and International Normalized Ratio). The effect of mushroom extracts on platelet function was positively related to their antioxidative properties and concentration of polysaccharides and ergosterol, and inversely related to zinc concentration. The study suggests that selected mushrooms may exert favorable antiplatelet effects, highlighting the need for further experimental and clinical research in this regard. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Mushrooms or Mushroom Extracts to Enhance Health)

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14 pages, 1070 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lentinus edodes Exposure before and after Fetus Implantation: Materno-Fetal Development in Rats with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

by Leticia F. Laurino, Fabia J. M. Viroel, Erika Caetano, Sara Spim, Thaisa B. Pickler, Raquel M. Rosa-Castro, Edilma Albuquerque Vasconcelos, Angela F. Jozala, Alessandre Hataka, Denise Grotto and Marli Gerenutti

Nutrients 2019, 11(11), 2720; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu11112720 - 09 Nov 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4373

Abstract

Background: The presence of β-glucans and phenolic compounds in Lentinus edodes suggests this mushroom can be used as a nutritional supplement. Two gestational conditions (before and after fetus implantation) were evaluated, and Lentinus edodes exposure was performed in diabetes mellitus rat model induced by streptozotocin in pre-clinical tests. Methods: On the 20th day of pregnancy, cesarean sections were performed. Blood was collected for biochemical, hematologic parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers. Placenta and amniotic fluid were collected, and fetuses were analyzed through morphological evaluation. Results: The mushroom did not reduce the severe hyperglycemia of the mother-concept but promoted an increase in maternal insulin levels; reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride and total cholesterol; protected the animals from post-implantation losses. Liver damage induced by streptozotocin was reversed in experimental groups. Conclusions: Lentinus edodes mushroom has antioxidant properties that can minimize the damage caused by gestational diabetes mellitus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Mushrooms or Mushroom Extracts to Enhance Health)

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Review

Jump to: Research

9 pages, 763 KiB

Open AccessReview

Use of Ganoderma lucidum (Ganodermataceae, Basidiomycota) as Radioprotector

by Aránzazu González, Violeta Atienza, Alegría Montoro and Jose M. Soriano

Nutrients 2020, 12(4), 1143; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu12041143 - 19 Apr 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 11159

Abstract

For millennia, naturopaths and physicians have used Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom) for its diverse therapeutic properties, as recorded in the oldest Chinese herbal encyclopedia. Indeed, a radioprotective effect has been reported in the isolated components of its extracts. A systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) was conducted in March 2020, searching databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar, along with Clinical Trials. The inclusion criteria were ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo studies, with full texts in English, conducted to determine the radioprotective benefits of G. lucidum, or reports in which ionizing radiation was used. From a total number of 1109 records identified, 15 full text articles were eligible, none of them were clinical trials. In vivo studies reveal the efficiency of G. lucidum aqueous extracts of polysaccharides and triterpenes in mice exposed to γ-rays. In plasmid, they can reduce radiation damage as an increment of the open circular form, as well as increase the DNA extension, as shown in vitro studies. Ex vivo studies conducted in human blood cells show the radioprotective effect of β-glucan of aqueous extract of G. lucidum, nevertheless, its implementation as radioprotector to humans is in need of further clinical research studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Mushrooms or Mushroom Extracts to Enhance Health)

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18 pages, 683 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effect of the Intake of Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on Cardiometabolic Parameters—A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

by Lisa Dicks and Sabine Ellinger

Nutrients 2020, 12(4), 1134; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu12041134 - 17 Apr 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 7072

Abstract

Cardiometabolic diseases are a leading global health challenge. Their incidence as well as progression is strongly affected by diet. Consumption of Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus), an edible oyster mushroom rich in functional ingredients (e.g., β-glucans), may improve glucose and lipid metabolism, blood pressure, body weight and appetite sensations. Hence, this systematic review aimed to provide an overview on the effects of P. ostreatus intake on cardiometabolic parameters from clinical trials, taking into account risk of bias (RoB). Relevant studies were investigated for details with consideration of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used to assess the RoB. In total, eight trials included observed beneficial effects of P. ostreatus intake on glucose metabolism (reduction in fasting and/or 2 h postprandial glucose) and lipids (decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and/or triglycerides), and some found a reduction in blood pressure. In contrast, body weight did not change. Appetite sensations were not assessed. In most studies, the RoB was high or unclear due to methodological weaknesses and/or inadequate reporting. Thus, P. ostreatus intake may improve cardiometabolic health, but evidence for this is low. Hence, further clinical trials with an adequate study design are warranted to validate these suggestions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Mushrooms or Mushroom Extracts to Enhance Health)

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10 pages, 582 KiB

Open AccessReview

Characterisation of Extracts and Anti-Cancer Activities of Fomitopsis pinicola

by Karen S. Bishop

Nutrients 2020, 12(3), 609; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu12030609 - 26 Feb 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4008

Abstract

Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw. Karst) is a common bracket fungus, with a woody texture. It is found predominantly in coniferous forests in temperate regions throughout Europe and Asia. Fomitopsis pinicola has been extensively used for medicinal purposes, particularly in Chinese and Korean traditional medicine. In this mini-review, the anti-cancer characteristics of F. pinicola extracts were investigated. In vitro experiments revealed the pro-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of extracts, whilst two of three in vivo studies reported an inhibition of tumour growth and prolonged survival. Only studies wherein fungal specimens were sourced from Europe or Asia were included in this review, as samples sourced as F. pinicola from North America were probably not F. pinicola, but a different species. Although not one of the most revered fungal species, F. pinicola has been used as a medicinal fungus for centuries, as well as consumed as a health food supplement. To date, the results from only three in vivo studies, investigating anti-cancer properties, have been published. Further studies, using comprehensively identified specimens, are required to fully elucidate the anti-cancer properties of F. pinicola extracts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Mushrooms or Mushroom Extracts to Enhance Health)

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