Traditional Chinese medicinal fungi might show potential for central nervous system diseases

Shandong researchers suggest that edible and medicinal fungi contain bioactive components with therapeutic potential for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Findings offer evidence for the potential of these fungi to serve as novel pharmaceuticals or functional foods in the treatment of CNS diseases.

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases involve complex pathophysiology, gradual symptom onset, and significant challenges in therapeutic evaluation. Aging populations and increasing life and work stress have contributed to a rising incidence of conditions such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), epilepsy, and depression, which are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality.

Pharmacological development in CNS diseases remains limited, with existing treatments that do not halt disease evolution but only relieve symptoms. Adverse effects and incomplete mechanistic understanding further complicate drug discovery efforts in this area, resulting in lower success rates compared to other therapeutic fields.

Edible and medicinal fungi have been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Certain fungi contain polysaccharides, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Recent studies have examined these bioactive components as potential therapeutic agents for CNS diseases, with specific compounds reported to target oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal cell survival.

In the study, “New Dawn of Edible and Medicinal Fungi: Unlocking Central Nervous System Diseases,” published in the Journal of Food Science, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature review of an untold number of previous studies to assess the therapeutic potential of bioactive components in edible and medicinal fungi for CNS diseases.

Studies on Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps militaris, and Hericium erinaceus were reviewed, focusing on reported neuroprotective effects, antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory activities, and gut-brain axis interactions.

Neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects were reported for bioactive components in Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps militaris, Hericium erinaceus, and Antrodia camphorata. Studies on Ganoderma lucidum addressed the role of deacetyl ganoderic acid F in regulating microglial and astrocytic activity. Selenium peptides from Cordyceps militaris were linked to modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress in preclinical models.

Antrodia camphorata alcohol extracts (AC-AE) were reported to reduce infarct size and increase antioxidant levels in ischemic stroke models. Hericium erinaceus was associated with regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters and anti-inflammatory pathways in studies of depression.

Fungi connected to traditional Chinese medicine were found to contain bioactive components that could serve as candidates for the development of pharmaceuticals and functional foods targeting CNS diseases. Neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects suggest potential therapeutic applications in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy.

Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to validate the efficacy of specific compounds, and dosage optimization, under controlled experimental conditions. Standardization of extraction methods and comprehensive safety assessments are recommended to advance the clinical applicability of these fungi-derived bioactive components.

According to the study authors, “As the global health business continues to grow and human health awareness gradually increases, edible and medicinal fungi are becoming more and more popular due to their special benefits, increasing medicinal value, and steadily rising industrialization level.”

As additional context from the ever-skeptical writer of this article with an admitted blindspot for believing supplement health claims (i.e., a medicine cabinet full of unverified mechanisms in edible wish form), the Chinese government continues to promote the strategic integration of the traditional Chinese medicine industry with Western pharmaceuticals under the “Healthy China 2030” initiative.

This policy emphasizes combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western pharmaceuticals as an adjunct treatment for chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and various other health conditions.

To reach this goal, a nationwide traceability system has been established, covering seeds, raw materials, herbal production, documenting formulations and finished products along with advanced manufacturing and testing facilities to better adhere to Western Good Manufacturing Practice.

The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine has put a great deal of support into research with a specific predetermined goal of finding applications for traditional Chinese medicine; essentially, starting with an existing compound, finding its Western therapeutic value, and linking it to a disease.

While traditional medicinal compounds cultivated for thousands of years will likely be found to contain useful bioactive components, it is just as inevitable that the research pipeline as constructed will include selection or confirmation biases. All research funded within this pipeline will require outside experimental verification, mechanistic understanding and registered clinical trials to confirm the existence of any potential effects.