Sphingolipids in medicinal mushrooms: structural insights, biological activities, and therapeutic potential

Edible mushrooms are well-known for their nutritional value, serving as rich sources of bioactive nutrients, mainly proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals that are vital for human health. Lipids, integral to biological functions such as cellular structure and energy storage, play crucial roles in mushrooms' bioactivity. Sphingolipids, an important class of lipids, serve not only as structural elements in cell membranes but also act as bioactive molecules, playing key roles in cancer prevention, skin health, and infection control. Recent studies highlight their unique presence in mushrooms. Despite their relatively low abundance, sphingolipids in mushrooms are pivotal in cellular processes and offer therapeutic potential. Advances in analytical techniques have facilitated the characterization of these compounds. This review explores the structural profiles, biological activities, and therapeutic applications of sphingolipids in medicinal mushrooms, highlighting their potential in the development of functional foods and novel therapeutic agents.