Therapeutic applications, nutritional composition, and their future perspectives of wild mushrooms

Considering the current situation, relatively little research has been conducted on wild mushrooms to date. Many species of wild mushrooms are found in nature. Discovering new species of these hidden mushrooms, properly identifying them, exploring new compounds hidden in them, and writing new literature would be novel research in the future. In this way, the properties and diversity of wild mushrooms can be further explored. Wild mushrooms can be a valuable new source of pharmacologically active substances, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals, which could be exploited for diverse medical applications in the future, particularly those requiring accurate pharmacogenetic fingerprints. The purpose of the present review study is to compile the information on wild mushrooms discovered by our scientists and researchers from different places and to discuss their medicinal and nutraceutical properties. So accurate data and guidance can be obtained in future research work

Medicinal Plants with Multiple Effects on Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications: a Systematic Review

Abstract Purpose of Review This systematic review describes evidence concerning medicinal plants that, in addition to exerting hypoglycemic effects, decrease accompanying complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Recent Findings Studies on the antidiabetic mechanisms of medicinal plants have shown that most of them produce hypoglycemic activity by stimulating insulin secretion, augmenting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), inhibiting αamylase or α-glucosidase, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion, advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation, free radical scavenging plus antioxidant activity (against reactive oxygen or nitrogen species (ROS/RNS)), up-regulating or elevating translocation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT-4), and preventing development of insulin resistance. Summary Not only are medicinal plants effective in DM, but many of them also possess a variety of effects on other disease states, including the complications of DM. Such plants may be appropriate alternatives or adjuncts to available antidiabetic medication

Medicinal Plants with Multiple Effects on Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications: a Systematic Review

Purpose of Review This systematic review describes evidence concerning medicinal plants that, in addition to exerting hypo- glycemic effects, decrease accompanying complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Recent Findings Studies on the antidiabetic mechanisms of medicinal plants have shown that most of them produce hypogly- cemic activity by stimulating insulin secretion, augmenting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), inhibiting α- amylase or α -glucosidase, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion, advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation, free radical scavenging plus antioxidant activity (against reactive oxygen or nitrogen species (ROS/RNS)), up-regulating or elevating translocation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT-4), and preventing development of insulin resistance. Summary Not only are medicinal plants effective in DM, but many of them also possess a variety of effects on other disease states, including the complications of DM. Such plants may be appropriate a lternatives or adjuncts to availa ble antidiabetic medication

Medicinal Plants and Other Living Organisms with Antitumor Potential against Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. As a result, it is often associated with a significant amount of suffering and a general decrease in the quality of life. Herbal medicines are recognized as an attractive approach to lung cancer therapy with little side effects and are a major source of new drugs. The aim of this work was to review the medicinal plants and other living organisms with antitumor potential against lung cancer. The assays were conducted with animals and humans, and Lewis lung carcinoma was the most used experimental model. China, Japan, South Korea, and Ethiopia were the countries that most published studies of species with antitumor activity. Of the 38 plants evaluated, 27 demonstrated antitumor activity. In addition, six other living organisms were cited for antitumor activity against lung cancer. Mechanisms of action, combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, and new technologies to increase activity and reduce the toxicity of the treatment are discussed. This review was based on the NAPRALERT databank, Web of Science, and Chemical Abstracts. This work shows that natural products from plants continue to be a rich source of herbal medicines or biologically active compounds against cancer

Bioactive compounds from Chinese herbal plants for neurological health: mechanisms, pathways, and functional food applications

Neurological disorders pose significant global public health challenges, with a rising prevalence and complex pathophysiological mechanisms that impose substantial social and economic burdens. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its holistic approach and multi-target effects, has gained increasing attention in the treatment of neurological diseases. This review explores bioactive compounds derived from Chinese herbal plants, focusing on their mechanisms of action, underlying pathways, and potential applications in functional food development. The review highlights the neuroprotective properties of flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and polyphenols found in key TCM herbs such as Scutellaria baicalensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Gastrodia elata. These compounds have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neurogenic effects, making them promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and depression. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of TCM formulations targeting multiple signaling pathways offer advantages over single-target therapies, especially in combating neurodegenerative diseases. The review also discusses the challenges and future directions for integrating these bioactive compounds into functional foods and dietary supplements, aiming to improve neurological health and enhance clinical outcomes. Ultimately, this work aims to provide valuable insights into the potential of TCM-based interventions for promoting neurological well-being and addressing the global burden of neurological disorders

Research on the extraction of active ingredients from Scutellaria baicalensis by probiotics fermentation

As the unique medicines of Chinese medicine, Chinese herbs are widely used in the fields of medicine, biological research and development, and food, due to their natural origin, rich variety, low toxicity and side effects, and mild and long-lasting therapeutic effects. With the development of modern biotechnology, modern herbal fermentation technology has been formed and continuously improved. Studies have shown that through modern herbal fermentation technology, the content of active ingredients in herbal medicines can be effectively increased and new beneficial ingredients can be produced, which provides a new way for the further utilization of herbal medicine resources. Probiotics are a class of microorganisms that are beneficial to the host, and herbal medicines fermented by probiotics have the advantages of increasing the active ingredients of medicines and reducing the toxic side effects. Scutellaria baicalensis, a commonly used Chinese herb in China, has pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. In this experiment, three strains of lactic acid bacteria were used to ferment Scutellaria baicalensis powder and tested for antioxidant as well as bacteriostatic indexes. The results indicated that Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii reached their maximum antioxidant and bacteriostatic indexes measured at 72 h of fermentation, which were DPPH scavenging: 99.02%, 95.4%, and 94.5%, hydroxyl radical scavenging: 77.5%, 77.5%, and 84.9%, and the diameter of the circle of inhibition:14.5 mm, 13.75 mm, and 14.1 mm, respectively

An Introduction to Mushroom

The mushroom has a wide number of medicinal properties such as being an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, immune enhancer, and also used for the treatment of various diseases such as anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretics, etc. According to current information, there are approximately twelve-thousand species in the world, and out of them, 2000 species are reported as being edible. Around 35 edible mushroom varieties are cultivated commercially, whereas almost 200 wild species could be used for medicinal purposes. This book also covers the diversity of edible mushrooms and describes several applications as an alternative source for food production and clinical approach. This book includes: • the diverse types of mushroom and their enzymatic activity • importance of nutritional properties along with their food product development • industrial and clinical applications of macro fungi, i.e., degradation of dyes, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, etc

Traditional used Plants against Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by progressive memory deficits, impaired cognitive function, and altered and inappropriate behavior. Aging represents the most important risk factor for AD and the global trend in the phenomenon of population aging has dramatic consequences for public health, healthcare financing, and delivery systems in the word and, especially in developing countries. Mounting evidence obtained in in vitro and in vivo studies, suggests that various traditionally used plants in Asia, India, and Europe significantly affect key metabolic alterations culminating in AD-typical neurodegeneration. The present article aims to bring the reader up-to-date on the most recent studies and advances describing the direct and indirect activities of traditional used plants and its constituents possibly relieving features of AD. A variety of traditional used plants and its extracts exerted activities on AD related drug targets including AChE activity, antioxidative activity, modulation of Aβ-producing secretase activities, Aβ-degradation, heavy metal chelating, induction of neurotrophic factors, and cell death mechanisms. Although pre-clinical investigations identified promising drug candidates for AD, clinical evidences are still pending

Edible Mushrooms, a Sustainable Source of Nutrition, Biochemically Active Compounds and Its Effect on Human Health

Mushrooms are abundant in proteins, polysaccharides, micronutrients, unsaturated fatty acids, and natural compounds. Mushrooms have recently gained popularity as a source of biologically active substances with medical potentials, such as anticancer, antiviral, immune-boosting, hypocholesterolemic, and hepatoprotective agents. Some common edible and helpful mushrooms include Lentinus (shiitake), Flammulina (enokitake), Tremella (yiner), Hericium, Pleurotus (oyster), Grifola (maitake) and Auricularia (mu-er). Details on the nutritional content of mushrooms, functional components, and their influence on human health will be explored in this chapter. Mushrooms are used to cure a wide range of ailments. Mushrooms provide a lot of nutrients and are low in calories. They are also fat-free, low in sodium, cholesterol-free, and high in fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They lower the chance of acquiring significant health problems, including Alzheimer, heart disease, and diabetes. It also has antifungal activity. They are also high in selenium and other biochemically active compounds, which have the ability to lower the incidence of chronic illness

What Chinese Medicine Can Do for Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer is an international problem, especially in Asian countries. It is because that most liver cancers are already late stage when they are diagnosed, and also most liver cancers have various previous chronic liver diseases induced by alcoholic, virus, and steatosis, etc. In recent years, laboratory and clinical studies focusing on liver cancer by Chinese medicine has been extensively studied. What Chinese medicine treatment formalities can be used in liver cancer? How Chinese medicine can be employed in treatment of liver cancer? What Chinese medicine can contribute to liver cancer? To answer these questions in this chapter, we will review and discuss treatment of liver cancer from Chinese medicine’s perspective with scientific evidences as following three parts: (1) Chinese medicine as the source of discovering new treatment for liver cancer, (2) Chinese medicine as a complementary treatment of liver cancer, and (3) to discuss future research and application of Chinese medicine in liver cancer treatment