Holistic Evaluation of Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes): Unraveling Its Medicinal and Therapeutic Potentials

Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom [SM]), a Basidiomycete with extensive ethnomedicinal use, exhibits significant nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential. This review critically discusses findings from multidisciplinary sources, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and classical medical literature, to elucidate the bioactive constituents of L. edodes-lentinan, eritadenine, lenthionine, guaiacol, syringol, diterpenes, triterpenoids, flavonoids, organic esters, tocopherols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These compounds collectively contribute to its potent antineoplastic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory effects. Advances in processing technologies have mitigated the toxicity risks associated with prolonged use, thereby enhancing the safety profiles for therapeutic applications. Emerging evidence also supports its role in dermatological health. Furthermore, rigorous analytical characterization of its bioactive profile is critical for standardization and quality control. SMs demonstrate translational potential for pharmaceutical and functional food applications; further studies are needed to elucidate their mechanisms and develop standardized, evidence-based formulations.