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Are mushrooms medicinal?

Nicholas P Money1

  • 1Western Program and Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.

Fungal Biology
|March 30, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Medicinal mushroom extracts lack scientific evidence for treating human diseases, despite traditional use. Further research is needed to explore their potential pharmacological benefits and risks.

Keywords:
CancerLentinanLingzhiReishiShiitake

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Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Pharmacology
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

  • Dried mushrooms and extracts have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
  • Claims of "miraculous" properties of medicinal mushrooms by companies require critical evaluation.
  • Potential harm from these natural products is an important consideration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the scientific evidence for the efficacy of medicinal mushrooms in human disease treatment.
  • To highlight the need for rigorous scientific investigation into the pharmacological potential of fungi.
  • To inform consumers about the critical assessment of health claims related to mushroom products.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on medicinal mushrooms.
  • Analysis of traditional uses versus scientific evidence.
  • Consideration of toxicological and pharmacological properties of fungal secondary metabolites.

Main Results:

  • Currently, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of mushroom preparations for treating human diseases.
  • Basidiomycete fungi contain potent toxins and neurotropic compounds, indicating a wide range of secondary metabolites.
  • These metabolites may possess useful pharmacological properties, but require extensive research.

Conclusions:

  • Scientific validation is lacking for many traditional medicinal mushroom claims.
  • Medicinal mushrooms present a potential source of novel pharmacological compounds.
  • Significant investment in controlled experiments and clinical trials is essential to develop this natural pharmacopeia responsibly.