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Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake

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Abstract

Hericium erinaceus, a well known edible mushroom, has numerous biological activities. Especially hericenones and erinacines isolated from its fruiting body stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, which expects H. erinaceus to have some effects on brain functions and autonomic nervous system. Herein, we investigated the clinical effects of H. erinaceus on menopause, depression, sleep quality and indefinite complaints, using the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Indefinite Complaints Index (ICI). Thirty females were randomly assigned to either the H. erinaceus (HE) group or the placebo group and took HE cookies or placebo cookies for 4 weeks. Each of the CES-D and the ICI score after the HE intake was significantly lower than that before. In two terms of the ICI, "insentive" and "palpitatio", each of the mean score of the HE group was significantly lower than the placebo group. "Concentration", "irritating" and "anxious" tended to be lower than the placebo group. Our results show that HE intake has the possibility to reduce depression and anxiety and these results suggest a different mechanism from NGF-enhancing action of H. erinaceus.

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... Our findings, indicating that one serving/day of white button/oyster mushrooms for 8 weeks with a healthy MED-style dietary pattern does not influence anxiety, depression, mood, and subjective well-being outcomes, are mostly inconsistent with previous research. Previous research indicates consumption of mushroom capsules, including lion's mane, improves symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression [48,49]. Investigators from two separate studies indicate that the consumption of 1.8 g/day of dried lion's mane capsules [48] or cookies containing dried lion's mane powder (2 g/d total, 0.5 g/cookie) [49] for 4 weeks reduced rates of anxiety, stress, and depression in healthy adults. ...
... Previous research indicates consumption of mushroom capsules, including lion's mane, improves symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression [48,49]. Investigators from two separate studies indicate that the consumption of 1.8 g/day of dried lion's mane capsules [48] or cookies containing dried lion's mane powder (2 g/d total, 0.5 g/cookie) [49] for 4 weeks reduced rates of anxiety, stress, and depression in healthy adults. Similar to our findings, authors of another study, including healthy older adults who consumed vitamin D-enriched mushroom capsules twice daily for 6 months, indicated no improvements in any mood outcomes (assessed via questionnaires such as the Positive and Negative Affect Scale [PANAS], the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale , and the General Happiness Scale) [50]. ...
... Combined, these studies generally indicate that mushrooms positively influence these brain health outcomes, but the heterogeneity in the study design makes it difficult to compare the results with our work. Further explained, mushroom form (e.g., whole vs. capsule), amount, intervention duration (ranging from 4 weeks [48,49] to 6 months [50]), sample population (healthy [48][49][50] and older adults [50]), and method of assessment (i.e., different questionnaires) varied among previous research. Regarding mushroom form and amount, previous research often includes the use of dried/powdered mushrooms. ...
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Limited research suggests mushroom consumption may improve indexes of brain health. Mushrooms contain bioactive compounds and antioxidants capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier and impacting vital neurological processes. We conducted a randomized controlled feeding trial assessing the effects of adopting a healthy U.S. Mediterranean-style dietary pattern (MED) with or without mushrooms on indexes of brain health and well-being. Sixty adults (aged 46 ± 12 y; BMI 28.3 ± 2.84 kg/m2; mean ± SD) without severe depression consumed a fully controlled MED diet with 84 g/d of mushrooms (4 d/week white button and 3 d/week oyster) or without (control with breadcrumbs) for 8 weeks. At baseline and post-intervention, surveys were used to evaluate anxiety, depression, mood, and well-being, and behavioral tests were used to evaluate cognition. Consumption of the MED diet, with or without mushrooms, increased (improved) self-reported vigor/activity (Time p = 0.026) and both behavioral measures of immediate memory (Time p < 0.05). Mixed effects were observed for other domains of neuropsychological function, and there were no changes in other measured indexes of brain health with the consumption of either MED diet. Adopting a healthy MED-style dietary pattern, with or without consuming white button and oyster mushrooms, may improve vigor/activity and immediate memory among middle-aged and older adults.
... Furthermore, some studies included blood draws (n = 4), saliva testing (n = 1) and ophthalmological measurements (n = 1) as part of their study design. Finally, in terms of risk of bias assessment, six intervention studies were classified as having some concerns relating to one or more aspects of methodology assessed by the Cochrane RoB2 tool, including deviations from intended interventions, outcome measurements, missing data, and selective reporting of results (Nagano et al., 2010;Okamura et al., 2015;Tsuk et al., 2017;Li et al., 2020;Zajac et al., 2020;Grozier et al., 2022) (see Supplementary Material Fig. S1). Lack of justification for (often small) sample size was also of concern in a number of the intervention studies (Mori et al., 2009;Nagano et al., 2010;Okamura et al., 2015;Tsuk et al., 2017;Saitsu et al., 2019;Vigna et al., 2019;Grozier et al., 2022), although such quality assessment of study characteristics is not covered by the Cochrane tool (Sterne et al., 2019). ...
... Finally, in terms of risk of bias assessment, six intervention studies were classified as having some concerns relating to one or more aspects of methodology assessed by the Cochrane RoB2 tool, including deviations from intended interventions, outcome measurements, missing data, and selective reporting of results (Nagano et al., 2010;Okamura et al., 2015;Tsuk et al., 2017;Li et al., 2020;Zajac et al., 2020;Grozier et al., 2022) (see Supplementary Material Fig. S1). Lack of justification for (often small) sample size was also of concern in a number of the intervention studies (Mori et al., 2009;Nagano et al., 2010;Okamura et al., 2015;Tsuk et al., 2017;Saitsu et al., 2019;Vigna et al., 2019;Grozier et al., 2022), although such quality assessment of study characteristics is not covered by the Cochrane tool (Sterne et al., 2019). ...
... Nevertheless, these results suggest that following intervention periods of 2 months or more, mood and sleep benefits of mushroom supplementation may begin to emerge. Shorter durations of mushroom supplementation may be less effective in improving sleep quality, as shown by 4-week supplementation studies that used young and middle-aged healthy or perimenopausal females but failed to show any benefits to sleep quality following daily intake of either 2 g of powdered Lion's Mane mushroom incorporated in cookies (Nagano et al., 2010) or Amyloban tablets (that contained 0.5% hericenones from Lion's Mane mushroom, Okamura et al., 2015). Nagano did report reductions in CES-D depression scores compared to baseline for the Lions Mane group, suggesting that mood-related benefits may emerge earlier than sleep benefits, but as with Vigna et al., direct comparison with the control group at 4 weeks failed to show significance. ...
... In particular, in vivo investigation in mouse models revealed that erinacine A in the mycelia confers nootropic effects and reduces oxidative stress against stroke [46], AD [69], depression [70], and aging [71]. On the other hand, the neuroprotective role played in vivo by hericenones from the H. erinaceus sporophores is still controversial, even though oral sporophore supplementation exerted a nootropic action in pilot clinical trials, as reported in the Section 8 [72][73][74]. Nonetheless, few studies have been conducted thus far on the bioavailability and tissue distribution of these relatively hydrophobic metabolites with a low molecular weight. ...
... Nagano and colleagues (2010) examined the clinical effects of H. erinaceus on menopause, depression, and sleep quality in 30 females (average age of 41.3 years) over a period of 4 weeks [72]. The consumption of cookies containing 0.5 g of sporophore powder alleviated the symptoms of depression, frustration, anxiety, and palpitation. ...
... The consumption of cookies containing 0.5 g of sporophore powder alleviated the symptoms of depression, frustration, anxiety, and palpitation. However, this study was gender-specific by design, related to menopause, and a small population was used, making the conclusions only partially relevant [72]. ...
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A growing number of studies is focusing on the pharmacology and feasibility of bioactive compounds as a novel valuable approach to target a variety of human diseases related to neurological degeneration. Among the group of the so-called medicinal mushrooms (MMs), Hericium erinaceus has become one of the most promising candidates. In fact, some of the bioactive compounds extracted from H. erinaceus have been shown to recover, or at least ameliorate, a wide range of pathological brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injury. In a large body of in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies on the central nervous system (CNS), the effects of erinacines have been correlated with a significant increase in the production of neurotrophic factors. Despite the promising outcome of preclinical investigations, only a limited number of clinical trials have been carried out so far in different neurological conditions. In this survey, we summarized the current state of knowledge on H. erinaceus dietary supplementation and its therapeutic potential in clinical settings. The bulk collected evidence underlies the urgent need to carry out further/wider clinical trials to prove the safety and efficacy of H. erinaceus supplementation, offering significant neuroprotective applications in brain pathologies.
... Similar mushrooms (e.g., Cordyceps sinensis) have shown a strong capacity to modulate mitochondrial function via their upregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and enzymes associated with long chain fatty acid -oxidation (9). Although the metabolic effects of HE are still unclear, the neurological and cognitive aspects of HE are frequently highlighted within the literature (15,19,20). For example, HE has continuously demonstrated properties to stimulate nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotropic factor production, both which are known to increase cognitive functioning through its neurotrophic properties (5, 19). ...
... For example, HE has continuously demonstrated properties to stimulate nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotropic factor production, both which are known to increase cognitive functioning through its neurotrophic properties (5, 19). Interestingly, only four studies to date have examined the psychological, gut microbiota, and neuroprotective effects of HE in humans and findings are mixed (19,20,27,30). While data are limited in both animals and humans, discrepancies in findings likely reflect the incorporation of an absolute versus a relative HE dose (grams vs. mg/kg), the dose incorporated for HE consumption (~50 mg/kg -4 g/day), and the duration of HE consumption (2-16 weeks), Additionally, no studies have yet examined HE consumption on markers of metabolic flexibility or cognitive performance in a human cohort. ...
... At present, there are only four studies examining the effects of HE in humans focused on aspects of cognition such as depression and anxiety (20) or the effect of HE on the progression of Alzheimer's disease (15,19,27). Our study is unique in that it tested HE supplementation on markers of cognitive performance as opposed to markers of cognitive decline (e.g., dementia). ...
Article
Hericium erinaceus (HE), also known as Lion's Mane mushroom, has been found to enhance cognition and metabolic flexibility in various animal models. To date however, only four studies exist in humans and none have evaluated the effects of HE on markers of metabolic flexibility or cognitive performance. A single-blind, placebo controlled, parallel-longitudinal study was used to determine the effects of HE on markers of metabolic flexibility and cognition. Twenty-four participants completed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to analyze substrate oxidation rates and markers of cardiorespiratory fitness. Additionally, two dual-task challenges consisting of a Stroop Word Challenge interspersed with a Mental Arithmetic Challenge were performed, pre-post the graded exercise test, to evaluate markers of cognition in a pre-post fatigued state. Participants were stratified into two groups, receiving either 10 g of HE per day or placebo for 4-weeks in the form of two muffins identical in taste and appearance. Repeated-measures analysis of variance were conducted to evaluate potential interactions or main effects. Although group differences were noted at baseline, there were no significant interactions or main effects observed from HE ingestion for any dependent variable (all p > 0.05). Our data suggest that ingesting 10 g of HE per day for 4-weeks had no impact on metabolic flexibility and cognition in a college-age cohort. Due to the limited research on HE supplementation, future research is needed to establish an effective supplement dose and duration for potential physiological changes to be observed in humans.
... Additional benefits of H. erinaceus include the promotion of nerve growth factor (NGF) [15], promotion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), improvement of cognitive function [11], promotion of anti-inflammation, reduction in astrocyte activation, hippocampal neurogenesis, glial cell activation [16], reduction in nitric oxide (NO) production in BV2 microglia, and improvements in AD-related behaviors such as burrowing and nesting in mice [9] which can be viewed as analogous to activities of daily living in humans. H. erinaceus has also been shown to lessen anxiety and depression after four weeks of consumption in human subjects [17]. This is important since the onset of AD results in non-cognitive neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and depression which negatively affect the quality of life of the individual living with AD and their caregivers [18]. ...
... Participants consuming the H. erinaceus mycelium capsules also exhibited improvements in APOE4, alpha-ACT (α-ACT), reductions in β-amyloid, and significant improvements in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), representing improved cognition and higher levels of independence [5]. Additionally, H. erinaceus has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression after four weeks in healthy female human participants [17]. These participants consumed H. erinaceus cookies containing 0.5 g of powdered fruiting body from the mushroom four times a day at any time of the day [17]. ...
... Additionally, H. erinaceus has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression after four weeks in healthy female human participants [17]. These participants consumed H. erinaceus cookies containing 0.5 g of powdered fruiting body from the mushroom four times a day at any time of the day [17]. Researchers saw improvements as a result of H. erinaceus with the use of two scales: the Indefinite Complaints Index (ICI), an anxiety measure and a common scale used to measure the clinical effects of treatments, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a scale used to measure symptoms of depression by a self-report method [17]. ...
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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) significantly impairs the life of an individual both cognitively and behaviorally. Tau and beta-amyloid (Aβ) proteins are major contributors to the etiology of AD. This study used mice modeling AD through the presence of tau pathology to assess the effects of Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus), also known as Lion’s mane, on cognitive and non-cognitive behaviors. Despite neurocognitive and neurobiological effects of H. erinaceus being seen in both healthy and transgenic mice, no research to date has explored its effects on mice with solely tau pathology. In this study, mice were placed on a diet supplemented with H. erinaceus or a standard rodent diet for 4.5 months in order to determine the effect of this medicinal mushroom on behavior. Tau mice given H. erinaceus had significantly shorter latencies to enter the center of the open field (OF) (p < 0.05) and spent significantly more time in the open arms of the elevated zero maze (EZM) (p < 0.001) compared to tau control mice. Mice given H. erinaceus spent significantly more time in the open arms of and made more head dips in the elevated zero maze (EZM) (p < 0.05). While H. erinaceus had anxiolytic effects, no improvements were seen in spatial memory or activities of daily living. These findings provide additional support for the anxiolytic effects of H. erinaceus and point to its potential benefit as a therapeutic for anxiety in AD.
... More recently, researchers have investigated "medicinal" mushrooms as potential alternatives or complements to mainstream antidepressant treatments. For example, non-psychedelic species such as Hericium erinaceus and Ganoderma lucidum have been noted as having mood-improving qualities in humans (Nagano et al., 2010;Fijałkowska et al., 2022), although head-to-head trials comparing effects against standard antidepressant pharmacotherapies are lacking. Nevertheless, the increasing body of evidence which indicates that psilocybin (a psychedelic compound found in many species of mushrooms (Strauss et al., 2022)) has potent antidepressant effects, including in those with treatment-resistant depression (Haikazian et al., 2023;Simonsson et al., 2023), supports the notion that mushrooms and other fungi may hold significant therapeutic potential in this area. ...
... The antidepressant effects of psilocybin and psilocin, which are present in multiple of the current mushroom species are now well established (Griffiths et al., 2016;Ross et al., 2016;Davis et al., 2021;Eisenstein, 2022;Goodwin et al., 2022). In addition, one study showed that menopausal women experienced a reduction in depression and anxiety after 4 weeks of Hericium erinaceus intake (Nagano et al., 2010) while another showed a non-significant trend of reduced depression in women with fibromyalgia who received micromilled G. lucidum carpophores for 6 weeks (Pazzi et al., 2020). ...
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One of the most important developments in psychopharmacology in the past decade has been the emergence of novel treatments for mood disorders, such as psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. Psilocybin is most commonly found in different species of mushroom; however, the literature on mushroom and fungus extracts with potential antidepressant activity extends well beyond just psilocybin-containing mushrooms, and includes both psychedelic and non-psychedelic species. In the current review, we systematically review the preclinical literature on mushroom and fungus extracts, and their effects of animal models of depression and tests of antidepressant activity. The PICO structure, PRISMA checklist and the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of intervention were used to guide the search strategy. A scoping search was conducted in electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and Web of Science. The literature search identified 50 relevant and suitable published studies. These included 19 different species of mushrooms, as well as seven different species of other fungi. Nearly all studies reported antidepressant-like effects of treatment with extracts. Treatments were most commonly delivered orally, in both acute and chronically administered studies to predominantly male rodents. Multiple animal models of depression were used, the most common being unpredictable chronic mild stress, while the tail suspension test and forced swim test were most frequently used as standalone antidepressant screens. Details on each experiment with mushroom and fungus species are discussed in detail, while an evaluation is provided of the strengths and weaknesses of these studies.
... Additional trials suggest a mood-enhancing effect of H. erinaceus, with lowered depression and anxiety scores observed in menopausal women following 4 weeks of supplementation with H. erinaceus-containing cookies (four consumed each day, each with 0.5 g of powdered fruiting body) [26]. Similar reductions in depression, anxiety and sleep disorder scores were observed in overweight and obese adults following 8-week 550 mg H. erinaceus (80% bulk mycelia, 20% fruiting body extract) supplementation in combination with a low-calorie diet [19]. ...
... The current results also indicated a trend towards stress reduction, as measured using the Stress Visual Analogue Scales, following chronic consumption of H. erinaceus. Previous work has shown mood-enhancing effects following chronic administration of H. erinaceus [19,26], with both studies showing improvements in depression and anxiety scores. The preliminary evidence presented here also suggests there may be beneficial effects on subjective stress following H. erinaceus supplementation. ...
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Background: Given the bioactive properties and limited work to date, Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s mane) shows promise in improving cognitive function and mood. However, much of the human research has concentrated on chronic supplementation in cognitively compromised cohorts. Objective: The current pilot study investigated the acute and chronic (28-day) cognitive and mood-enhancing effects of Hericium erinaceus in a healthy, young adult cohort. Design: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups design investigated the acute (60 min post dose) and chronic (28-day intervention) effects of 1.8 g Hericium erinaceus in 41 healthy adults aged 18–45 years. Results: Analysis revealed that following a single dose of Hericium erinaceus, participants performed quicker on the Stroop task (p = 0.005) at 60 min post dose. A trend towards reduced subjective stress was observed following 28-day supplementation (p = 0.051). Conclusions: The findings tentatively suggest that Hericium erinaceus may improve speed of performance and reduce subjective stress in healthy, young adults. However, null and limited negative findings were also observed. Given the small sample size, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Further investigation in larger sample sizes is crucial, however the findings of this trial offer a promising avenue of interest.
... In the studies conducted by Nagano et al, 33 (AS) data were extracted graphically. Moreover, the studies conducted by Brooks et al, 34 File et al, 35 Jou et al, 36 Naseri et al, 37 Kaszkin-Bettag et al, 38 Imayama et al, 39 Ghazanfarpour et al, 40 Chojnacki et al, 41 Cohen et al, 42 Hartley et al, 43 Belcaro et al, 44 Nagano et al, 33 Asama et al, 45 In those last cases, each arm was included as one independent study in comparison to the placebo arm. ...
... In the studies conducted by Nagano et al, 33 (AS) data were extracted graphically. Moreover, the studies conducted by Brooks et al, 34 File et al, 35 Jou et al, 36 Naseri et al, 37 Kaszkin-Bettag et al, 38 Imayama et al, 39 Ghazanfarpour et al, 40 Chojnacki et al, 41 Cohen et al, 42 Hartley et al, 43 Belcaro et al, 44 Nagano et al, 33 Asama et al, 45 In those last cases, each arm was included as one independent study in comparison to the placebo arm. For those reasons, some studies will appear more than once in the graphics and tables, each with specific labels. ...
Article
Importance: Depression and anxiety may significantly affect women during the menopausal transition. In addition to traditional treatment strategies such as hormone therapy, antidepressants, and psychotherapy, nutritional interventions have been increasingly studied, but there is no consensus about their role in this patient population. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of nutritional interventions on the severity of depressive (DS) and anxiety (AS) symptoms in women during the menopausal transition or menopausal years. Evidence review: Electronic search using databases PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase to identify articles indexed until January 31, 2021, focusing on randomized placebo-controlled trials documenting the effect of diet, food supplements, and nutraceuticals on DS and AS. Findings: Thirty-two studies were included (DS, n = 15; AS, n = 1; DS and AS combined, n = 16). We found two studies that demonstrated data combined with other interventions: one with lifestyle interventions (vitamin D plus lifestyle-based weight-loss program) and another with exercise (omega 3 plus exercise). The pooled effect size favored the intervention group over placebo for both DS and AS (DS: standardized mean difference, -0.35 [95% confidence interval, -0.68 to -0.03; P = 0.0351]; AS: standardized mean difference, -0.74 [95% CI, -1.37 to -0.11; P = 0.0229]). There was significant heterogeneity in the pooled results, which can be attributed to differences in assessment tools for depression and anxiety as well as the variety of nutritional interventions studied. The subgroup analysis showed a statistically significant effect of menopausal status (perimenopausal or menopausal) but not the type or duration of nutritional intervention. Older age was the only significant predictor of the effect size of nutritional interventions in the meta-regression. Conclusions and relevance: Nutritional interventions are promising tools for the management of mood/anxiety symptoms in women during the menopausal transition and in postmenopausal years. Because of significant heterogeneity and risk of bias among studies, the actual effect of different approaches is still unclear.
... Mushrooms are rich in bioactive components including antioxidants and neurotrophic factors, which are helpful in preventing neuropsychiatric disorders 15,16 . Several studies have suggested that mushrooms intake is potentially effective in attenuating depressive symptoms [17][18][19] . However, data is still insufficient to identify the association between association between comprehensive mushrooms intake and the risk of depressive symptoms. ...
... There have been studies supporting the potential benefit of mushrooms consumption in alleviating depressive symptoms. Clinical trials found the favorable effect of a specific type of mushroom on depressive symptoms among small number of study subjects 17,18 . Cross-sectional analysis for 24,699 U.S. adults showed the lower odds ratio and 95% CI for depression in the middle tertile of comprehensive mushrooms consumption than those with lowest tertile 19 . ...
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Mushrooms are nutraceutical food with health benefit. However, available data is still limited in identifying the effect of mushrooms consumption on depressive symptoms. In a cohort of 87,822 Korean, we longitudinally assessed the risk of depressive symptoms according to mushrooms consumption. Study participants were categorized into 5 groups by the frequency of one serving size of mushrooms (30 g) as follows: rare/never, < 1/month, 1/month–1/week, 1–3/week, ≥ 3/week. The development of depressive symptoms was determined in Center for epidemiological studies-depression scale ≥ 16. Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for depressive symptoms (adjusted HR [95% CI]). Subgroup analysis was performed for gender and age. Compared with group with rare/never consumption, groups with mushrooms consumption ≥ one serving size/month had the significantly decreased levels in adjusted HR and 95% CI for depressive symptoms (rare/never consumption: reference, < 1/month: 0.92 [0.83–1.02], 1/month–1/week: 0.88 [0.83–0.94], 1–3/week: 0.88 [0.82–0.94], ≥ 3/week: 0.86 [0.80–0.93]). This association was similarly observed in both gender and age subgroup analyses. However, women and participants ≥ age of 40 showed the more prominent association than men and participants < age of 40.
... The health-promoting properties of Lion's Mane are largely attributed to its array of bioactive compounds. Key examples include polysaccharides, known for their immunomodulatory effects [5], and a variety of secondary metabolites such as hericirine [6], hericenone, and erinacine [1,7,8]. These compounds collectively underscore the mushroom's functional potential and medicinal value. ...
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Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as Lion’s Mane mushroom, presents a challenge for maintaining quality and shelf-life during post-harvest storage. This study investigates the impact of different temperatures (5 °C, 13 °C, and 21 °C) during 14 days of storage, on the physicochemical, microbiological, and bioactive characteristics of H. erinaceus. Respiration was measured as an indicator of physiological aging, showing that higher temperatures increased CO2 production as well as O2 depletion. Physicochemical assessments, including moisture content, pH, titratable acidity, weight loss, browning index, and firmness, demonstrated that refrigeration at 5 °C best preserved the mushrooms’ quality. Storage at 5 °C effectively minimized microbial proliferation, maintaining acceptable levels until day 7 but showing increased contamination by day 14. However, higher temperatures promoted antioxidant activity and total phenolic content, likely due to moisture loss and oxidative stress. These findings highlight the critical role of low-temperature storage in preserving both the physicochemical integrity and functional bioactivity of H. erinaceus, and suggest further research into packaging solutions and preservation strategies to optimize the post-harvest handling of H. erinaceus.
... However, some studies indicate improved cognitive function in older adults [3][4], suggesting potential crossover benefits for younger, active populations. One pilot study on lion's mane supplementation showed reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression [8], which could indirectly benefit sports performance by enhancing mental resilience. ...
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Introduction Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), a medicinal mushroom widely recognized for its neuroprotective and health-promoting properties, has garnered increasing attention in recent years for its potential applications in sports and metabolic health. Known for its bioactive compounds, such as hericenones and erinacines, lion’s mane has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cognitive-enhancing properties that may benefit athletes. This review explores current research on the metabolic and sports-related effects of lion’s mane, highlighting both promising findings and gaps in the literature. Purpose of the Work: The aim of this study is to review the current data on the usage of Hericium erinaceus in sports performance and metabolic health. The review includes an exploration of the biochemical properties of lion’s mane and their relevance to athletic performance, assessment of the evidence gathered from animal and human studies regarding its potential benefits, identifying the gaps in research and proposing directions for future studies. Materials and Methods This literature review was conducted by collecting and analyzing peer-reviewed articles, clinical trial results, and relevant research papers from scientific databases such as PubMed and ScienceDirect. Results The literature indicates that lion’s mane has potential benefits in enhancing cognitive function, reducing oxidative stress, and improving glucose metabolism—all of which are relevant to sports performance and recovery. However, direct evidence on its impact on athletic metrics such as endurance, strength, or recovery times is limited. Preclinical studies are promising but need to be validated in well-designed human trials.
... Pers. has anti-tumor properties, stomach diseases, and reduced depression and anxiety effects (Nagano et al. 2010;Li et al. 2014;Shao et al. 2014;Brandalise et al. 2023). ...
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Yunnan Province of China is one of the most abundant wild fungi resources in China. This paper describes a new species of Hericium collected from Mopanshan National Nature Reserve in Yunnan Province, China. The study showed that two specimens of Hericium were different from the known Hericium species in morphology and phylogeny. Hericium yunnan-ense associated with the host Alnus nepalensis has a coral-like, milky white to yellow and larger basidiomata (180-300 × 110-170 mm), small and amyloid, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. A description, illustrations, and a phylogenetic analysis are provided to show the placement of the new species.
... Furthermore, amyloban ameliorates social deficits in patients with depression. 9 These findings suggest that amyloban may be useful for improving social deficits. ...
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Social dysfunctions are common in various psychiatric disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, and autism, and are long‐lasting and difficult to treat. The development of treatments for social impairment is critical for the treatment of several psychiatric disorders. “Amyloban 3399,” a product extracted from the mushroom Hericium erinaceus, markedly improves social dysfunctions in patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia and depression. However, the molecular mechanism(s) through which amyloban ameliorates social impairment remains unclear. To clarify this mechanism, in this study, we aimed to establish a mouse model of social defeat stress (SDS) and investigate the effects of amyloban on social deficits. Amyloban administration ameliorated social deficits and the dopamine system activity in SDS mice. These findings suggest that there is a possibility that amyloban may improve social deficits by suppressing the hyperactivation of the dopaminergic system. Amyloban may be an effective treatment for social dysfunctions associated with various psychiatric disorders.
... Notably, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, immunostimulant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and antihyperglycemic properties of H. erinaceus have been reported (Khan et al., 2013). Through clinical trials, pharmacological activities and medical evidence of H. erinaceus have been demonstrated, showing its effectiveness in improving average cognitive impairment (Mori et al., 2008), treating early Alzheimer's disease (Li et al., 2020), alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improving sleep quality (Nagano et al., 2010;Okamura et al., 2015;Vigna et al., 2019). As its applications are diverse, H. erinaceus is most commonly used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment (Chong et al., 2021;Kawagishi and Zhuang, 2008;Spelman et al., 2017). ...
... production(Mori et al., 2008;Li et al., 2018) and also nerve cells(Wong et al., 2007; David and Williams 2023). In the context of H. erinaceus, the bioactive compounds responsible for affecting NGF release are mainly hericenones and erinacines. Due to their small molecular size they can easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier(Huang et al., 2021).Nagano et al. ( 2010) conducted an experiment to study the effects of H. erinaceus on depression, menopause, sleep quality and indefinite complaints, wherein 30 females were randomly given H. erinaceus (HE) cookies or placebo cookies for 4 weeks. It was found that each of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Indefinite Complaints Ind ...
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The Lion's Mane mushroom, botanically known as Hericium erinaceus, stands out as a unique and esteemed member of the fungal kingdom. This extraordinary mushroom not only possesses an alluring appearance but also holds a significant historical presence in diverse cultures, especially within the context of ancient herbal medicine practices. This fungus holds promising prospects in several domains. Its potential as a natural remedy for cognitive health is gaining attention. This mushroom has neuroprotective properties and could play a role in supporting brain function, which is particularly relevant in the present aging population where neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease are a growing concern. Furthermore, Lion's Mane has been explored for its potential in addressing mood disorders. It is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including β-glucans, that can positively affect the immune system. The fungus produces bioactive compounds that can be used to treat various chronic diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, hepatic disorders, and cancer ; it also has other benefits like wound healing and improving the immune system. This review endeavours to elucidate the multifaceted potential of Lion's Mane mushroom within the domains of nutrition, health, and wellness. Through a comprehensive examination of its properties and benefits, the review explored how Lion's Mane mushrooms can be harnessed to enhance human well-being. By unlocking the secrets hidden within this remarkable fungus, the study provides insights that can empower individuals to incorporate Lion's Mane into their daily lives, fostering a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
... Its fruiting body (FB) and mycelium are used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of gastritis and hyperglycemia 7 . The pharmacological benefits of H. erinaceus, including antiaging, antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, antidementia, antidepression 8 and antianxiety activities [9][10][11][12] , are due to its large number of bioactive secondary metabolites, such as phenols (hericenones), aromatic compounds (hericerins, erinacerins and erinaceolactones), sterols, polysaccharides and glycoproteins 13,14 . Pleurotus eryngii is an edible mushroom which is cultivated for commercial use in many countries around the world. ...
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Hericium erinaceus and Pleurotus eryngii are edible and medicinal mushrooms grown commercially in many countries around the world. In nature, H. erinaceus grows on old or dead trunks of hardwood trees. P. eryngii grows on the roots of Apiaceae plants. To exploit their beneficial properties, these mushrooms have been grown indoors using mushroom substrates mainly consisting of dry wood chips, straw, and cereals originating from forest maintenance, agriculture, and industry wastes, respectively. Additional supplements such as olive mill solid waste are added to the substrate to support mushroom development. However, the impact of substrate additives on the edible mushroom metabolic content has not been assessed so far. We examined the effect of adding to the substrate different proportions of olive mill solid waste on the metabolic profiles of the fruiting body (FB) and mycelium of H. erinaceus and P. eryngii mushrooms. We used computational metabolomics methods to analyze the untargeted metabolomics data obtained from Q-Exactive Plus high-resolution LC-MS/MS data. In general, the methanolic extracts of H. erinaceus FB and mycelium were more highly enriched with specialized metabolites than those of P. eryngii . Interestingly, olive mill solid waste increased some of the unique metabolites related to the beneficial hericenone family in the H. erinaceus FB and several erinacerin metabolites from the mycelium. At the same time, the additive decreased the toxic enniatin metabolite abundance. Altogether, we demonstrate how a change in substrate composition affects the mushroom’s specialized metabolome and can induce beneficial mushroom metabolite diversity. This highlights the importance of including metabolomics strategies to investigate new sustainable growth options for edible mushrooms and other natural foods.
... These studies have also shown significant variability in the cognitive tasks used, the age and health status of the participants tested, and the doses administered, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. However, it appears that Lion's Mane may offer some mood benefits in menopausal women [22] and obese middle-aged adults [23] and may confer both mood and neuroprotective benefits in older adults [17,19]. The literature has not yet sought to investigate the types of commonly consumed mushrooms, such as white mushrooms (button, cup, or flat), portobello, porcini, or oyster mushrooms, which may be responsible for many of the epidemiological findings. ...
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The previous literature suggests that regular consumption of edible mushrooms may confer neuroprotective cognitive health benefits. To further investigate the possible association between mushrooms and brain function during ageing, data from a population-based study of diet and chronic disease (EPIC-Norfolk cohort) were analysed. Changes in mushroom intake were measured using a food frequency questionnaire at three health check (HC) points over an 18-year period, with participants categorised based on their consumption frequency. Cognitive performance was assessed at the final health check (3HC) via a battery of validated tests assessing a range of different cognitive domains. The findings revealed a significant reduction in mushroom intake over time, with 4.12% of the cohort giving up mushrooms after previously consuming them. At 3HC, mushroom consumers displayed better cognitive performance than non-consumers across multiple cognitive domains. This relationship was observed to be dose-dependent, with those consuming 1 or more portions per week showing the highest cognitive scores. These findings suggest that regular mushroom consumption may be beneficial for cognitive function during aging. Further randomised controlled trials will be needed to confirm any potential benefits of mushrooms on long-term cognitive health, alongside public health initiatives to promote mushroom consumption in this older-adult demographic.
... However, it worth to note that in Hericium is also present in Colicron ® , in addition to probiotics. To the best of our knowledge, although there are no studies evaluating Hericium effects in IBS, a study by Nagano et al. showed that H. erinaceus intake for 4 weeks reduced depression and anxiety, 41 probably acting through the monoaminergic modulation, resulting in a complementary and alternative treatment for psychological disorders. 42 Therefore, we can speculate that Hericium can support the effectiveness of probiotics into Colicron ® to decrease anxiety and modulate the patients' depressive state. ...
Article
Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder with an important impact on patients' quality of life. Although several data indicate that psychological symptoms are frequently reported by patients with IBS, few therapies have been evaluated regarding these issues. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a probiotic-based dietary supplement (Colicron®) in a group of patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). We included patients treated with Colicron® (1 cps/day for 8 weeks). Primary endpoint was the gastrointestinal symptoms' remission evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); secondary endpoint was the impact of the treatment on physical and mental health evaluated by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) and Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). VAS was assessed at week 4 (T4), week 8 (T8) and week 12 (T12), whereas HADS and SF-36 were performed even at the start of the Colicron® treatment (T0). Results: An improvement of VAS Score was observed at T8 (P<0.001) and T12 (P<0.05) compared to T4. Lower HADS-A (anxiety subdomain) score was obtained at each time point versus T0 (P<0.01), and higher scores of all SF-36 domains were observed during the treatment (0.05<P<0.001) compared to baseline. Moreover, HADS-D (depression subdomain) score, correlated positively, at T0 (P<0.05) and T4 (P<0.05) with the age, as well as a positive correlation was detected between disease duration (P<0.05) and age of patients (P<0.001). Conclusions: Colicron® could be useful in improving both gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms in IBS-D patients. Further prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm these preliminary data.
... Une étude clinique menée par NAGANO et al. (2010) sur un groupe de 30 femmes en cours de ménopause avait décelé une diminution significative de l'état dépressif et de l'anxiété chez des sujets ayant consommé de la poudre de H. erinaceus pendant 4 semaines. Cependant, ces résultats présentaient un biais conséquent : la diminution globale des symptômes d'anxiété et de dépression dans le groupe placebo avait été significativement identique à celle du groupe ayant consommé le champignon. ...
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Cavalli M., Fons F. et Rapior S. Approche mycothérapeutique prospective du trouble dépressif par l’utilisation d’Hericium erinaceus. Annales de la Société d’Horticulture et d’Histoire Naturelle de l’Hérault, 162, 5-24 (2023). ___ Le trouble dépressif est une pathologie commune, multifactorielle, polymorphe, et dont le traitement s'avère parfois difficile. Dans le contexte où la santé mentale devient une préoccupation de santé publique majeure, il est essentiel de disposer d'un arsenal thérapeutique complet, au sein duquel la mycothérapie pourrait bientôt s'imposer. Après un état des lieux des connaissances sur le trouble dépressif, une approche mycothérapeutique prospective sera abordée avec l'utilisation d'Hericium erinaceus. L'hydne hérisson est un champignon aux propriétés médicinales multiples. Ses propriétés neuroprotectrices et son profil de tolérance avantageux en font une espèce dont l'utilisation thérapeutique pourrait s'avérer intéressante dans la dépression. __ Mots clés : Hericium erinaceus ; dépression ; mycothérapie ; érinacines ; héricénones ; neurogénèse ; Neuroprotection ____ Prospective mycotherapeutic approach to depressive disorder with Hericium erinaceus __ Abstract Depressive disorder is a common, multifactorial, polymorphic pathology, the treatment whose is sometimes difficult. In a context where mental health is becoming a major public health concern, it is essential to have a complete therapeutic arsenal of treatments, including mycotherapy which may soon become essential. After a current state of knowledge on depressive disorder, a prospective mycotherapeutic approach will be discussed the use of with Hericium erinaceus. Lion's mane is a mushroom with multiple medicinal properties. Its neuroprotective properties and its advantageous tolerance profile make it a mushroom species whose therapeutic use could prove useful to treat depression __ Key-words: Hericium erinaceus; depression; mycotherapy; erinacines; hericenones; neurogenesis; neuro-protection
... Chiu et al. [26] observed that H. erinaceus supplementation led to an increase in the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the hippocampus of mice deprived of mobility. These results suggest the antidepressant effects of H. erinaceus, which is consistent with the findings of Nagano et al. [130], who showed that H. erinaceus supplementation led to a reduction in depression and anxiety in 30 women after 4 weeks of supplementation. Saitsu et al. [128] conducted a comparative study in which the consumption of cookies containing H. erinaceus for 12 weeks showed alleviation of symptoms of short-term memory impairment and improved cognitive function in 31 participants. ...
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Hericium erinaceus is a valuable mushroom known for its strong bioactive properties. It shows promising potential as an excellent neuroprotective agent, capable of stimulating nerve growth factor release, regulating inflammatory processes, reducing oxidative stress, and safeguarding nerve cells from apoptosis. The active compounds in the mushroom, such as erinacines and hericenones, have been the subject of research, providing evidence of their neuroprotective effects. Further research and standardization processes for dietary supplements focused on H. erinaceus are essential to ensuring effectiveness and safety in protecting the nervous system. Advancements in isolation and characterization techniques, along with improved access to pure analytical standards, will play a critical role in achieving standardized, high-quality dietary supplements based on H. erinaceus. The aim of this study is to analyze the protective and nourishing effects of H. erinaceus on the nervous system and present the most up-to-date research findings related to this topic.
... We suggested that erinacines H and K might have some effect on anxiety-like behaviour. Evidence of the antidepressant and antianxiety effect of erinacine-enriched H. erinaceus was demonstrated, suggesting NGF involvement (Nagano et al. 2010). Recently, molecular mechanisms of erinacine-enriched H. erinaceus have been elucidated. ...
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We investigated the neurological effects of the varied erinacine composition of different mycelia cultures in mice with trimethyltin (TMT)-induced neurodegeneration. Forty male ICR mice were randomly divided into five groups of Sham-veh, TMT-veh, TMT-EME, TMT-EMR and TMT-EME/R. The TMT groups received 2.6 mg/kg one-time intraperitoneal injections of TMT. Oral dosages of 200 mg/kg erinacine combination from each Hericium erinaceus mycelia (EM) cultivated formula (100% eucalyptus wood [E], 100% rubber wood [R], or 40% eucalyptus wood/60% rubber wood [E/R]) were given for 2 weeks. Spatial learning, memory, flexibility, and anxious behaviour were evaluated alongside brain tissues’ oxidative status and histological analyses. Erinacine composition from EME/R exhibited significant positive effects on spatial learning, memory, flexibility, and anxiety (p < 0.05). These findings emerged concurrently with the significant mitigation of hippocampal lipid peroxidation, CA1 hippocampal, cortical neuron, and corpus callosum white matter degeneration (p < 0.05). These neurological benefits were associated with the EME/R composition of erinacine A, C, D, G, H, I, K and R. The best neuroprotective effect against TMT-induced neurodegeneration in mice is offered by the EME/R erinacine composition according to its anti-lipid peroxidation, its nurturing effect on neuronal and white matter, and mitigation of behavioral deficits.
... Thus, it may be used as one of the ways of preventing mood disorders. However, it should not be used as a monotherapy for the treatment of severe mood disorders [18][19][20]. ...
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Lion's Mane, a distinctive mushroom found across the Northern Hemisphere, has captivated the world with its unique appearance and potential health benefits. This article explores the diverse facets of Lion's Mane, from its taxonomy and habitat to its rich nutritional composition, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and an array of biologically active compounds, notably polysaccharides and phenolic compounds. Lion's Mane is emerging as a potent dietary supplement, with research highlighting its positive impact on brain health, nerve recovery, mood stabilization, gastric health, heart health, blood sugar regulation, cancer prevention, and immunity enhancement. While Lion's Mane offers promising health benefits, it is essential to recognize its role as a complementary dietary addition rather than a substitute for medical treatments. Fortunately, Lion's Mane is generally considered safe for prolonged consumption, with minimal reported side effects. As research continues to unveil the multifaceted potential of the Lion's Mane, it stands as a fascinating and versatile natural resource with the promise of contributing to improved well-being and longevity.
... Interestingly, H. erinaceus has also been used to reduce obesity. In a controlled prospective clinical study, depression and anxiety were reduced, and the quality of sleep was found to be better in volunteers on a month's diet with H. erinaceus containing snacks (Nagano et al., 2010). Erinacine A is the active constituent from mycelium of Hericium erinaceus. ...
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In recent era plant natural products have gained worldwide attraction and importance in global market for their diverse application in many fields like pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, seasonings, food, and drug industries having huge commercial values. More than 200,000 plant natural products reported till date have shown pharmacological activities and biotechnological importance. The successful extraction of natural products through plant have limited by several environmental factors. Likewise, the chemical synthesis of natural products is also reported to be inefficient due to the complexity of the chemical structures involving enantioselectivity and regioselectivity. Currently researchers are urged to search for an alternative means for overproducing valuable natural products using microorganisms. Using the inexpensive renewable resources like reconstructing the biosynthetic pathway in heterologous microorganisms have provided a significant result for producing enough of a desired natural product. Since earlier days the people are looking for the resource-conserving and environment�friendly synthesis pathway for natural plant products using microbial cell factories. Recently various metabolic engineering strategies have been developed to produce natural products using microorganisms. Microbial expression systems to produce various valuable compounds includes polyculture and co-culture consortiums for carrying out robust biosynthesis. The two most important heterologous hosts widely used as a cell factory to produce natural products are Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. They are most advantageous than other organisms because of their easy availability, high cell density culture, high growth rate and many more so they act as a well-established tools and strategies for metabolic engineering. After the complete study and elucidation of biosynthetic pathways and regulatory factors, it has helped to metabolically engineer new capabilities in planta as well as successful engineer the whole pathways into microbial systems. The present chapter focusses mainly on the plant secondary metabolites and its application for generating valuable compounds in microbial expression platforms and in plant metabolic engineering.
... In contrast, Xie et al. evaluated the administration of H. erinaceus as a dietary supplement in a small group of healthy volunteers, observing an increase in the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota by increasing the availability of short-chain fatty acidproducing bacteria with concomitant reduction of several pathobionts (10). In addition, H. erinaceus has also been shown to improve anxiety-depressive disorders in robust studies such as clinical trials (11,12), disorders of high prevalence in patients with IBD, and impact the course of the disease (13,14). ...
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Hericium erinaceus, berberine, and quercetin are effective in experimental colitis. It is unknown whether they can ameliorate inflammatory bowel diseases in humans. This ex vivo study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of a nutraceutical compound of HBQ-Complex® (H. erinaceus, berberine, and quercetin), biotin, and niacin in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Tissue specimens were obtained either from Normal-Appearing Mucosa (NAM) or from Inflamed Mucosa (IM) in 20 patients with inflammatory bowel disease. mRNA and protein expression of COX-2, IL-10, and TNF-α were determined in NAM and IM biopsy samples (T0). IM samples were then incubated in HBQ-Complex® (with the addition of niacin and biotin), and COX-2, IL-10, and TNF-α tissue levels were evaluated at 120 minutes (T1) and 180 minutes (T2). Incubation with this compound resulted in a progressive decrease in gene and protein COX-2 and TNF-α expression at T1/T2 in the IM. IL-10 showed an opposite trend, with a progressive increase of mRNA and protein expression over the same time window. HBQ-Complex® (with the addition of niacin and biotin) decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines at the mRNA and protein levels in IBD tissue. On the contrary, mRNA and protein expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 showed a progressive increase.
... H. erinaceus has been widely studied in clinical settings in patients with anxiety and depression. One randomised controlled trial provided results in favour of positive regulation of psychiatric disorders [103]. Moreover, several pathogenic mechanisms have been suggested in studies on mood disorders. ...
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Hericium erinaceus is an edible and medicinal mushroom commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Several studies have highlighted its therapeutic potential for gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. In addition, some components of this mushroom appear to possess strong antineoplastic capabilities against gastric and colorectal cancer. This review aims to analyse all available evidence on the digestive therapeutic potential of this fungus as well as the possible underlying molecular mechanisms.
... The first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in a small group of 30 women, who in the experimental group ingested powdered fruiting bodies of H. erinaceus in the form of cookies. Based on the result comparison of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Indefinite Complaints Index (ICI), it can be concluded that H. erinaceus ingestion for at least 4 weeks (0.5 g of powdered fruiting bodies) may result in reduced depression-like symptoms and anxiety [152]. In a more recent clinical trial, whose objective was to investigate the effect of H. erinaceus on hearing degeneration in elderly patients (n = 80), it was proved that administration of H. erinaceus mycelium could reduce hearing loss, especially for high frequencies and speech recognition. ...
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Major Depression Disease is a common mental illness that affects more than 322 million people worldwide and it is one of the leading causes of mental and physical disability. The etiology of depression is a complex interplay of psychological, social, and biological factors. Currently, psychopharmacotherapy is based mainly on the monoamine theory, which states that depression is caused by an insufficient level of monoamines such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine. Due to the relatively low efficacy of the typical antidepressant and the high prevalence of treatment-resistant depression (~30%), seeking new ways of prophylaxis, adjuvant therapy, or novel compounds with antidepressant activity, is a priority. According to studies that analyzed mushroom consumption patterns and depression prevalence, it was concluded that mushroom ingestion lowers the odds of depression. Medicinal mushrooms are considered functional foods because of their ability to synthesize and accumulate different types of metabolites, which enhance their health-promoting properties. The review aims to explain the antidepressant activity of edible/medicinal mushrooms by elucidating the mechanism from different perspectives: edible mushrooms as a source of serotonin precursors and psilocybin as a rapid-acting antidepressant. These compounds exhibit anti-neuroinflammatory and antioxidant activities that impact neurotrophin expression, the neurogenesis process, and influence on the gut–brain axis.
... In the 2010, Nagano et al. [11], in a randomized double-blind placebocontrolled trial, performed on 26 women with an age range of 41.3 ± 5.6 years, who presented depression and anxiety symptoms. The women in the control group ingested 4 cookies, each one with an amount of 0.5 g of Hericium erinaceus "flour", while those in the group placebo also ingested 4 cookies, without the Hericium erinaceus, for 4 weeks. ...
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Introduction: Hericium erinaceus (HE), often known as Lion's Mane, is an edible fungus that has been extensively explored for its many functions. The use of this mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine dates back many years, and it is now being tested in the treatment of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, and mental diseases like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia. Methods: We followed 2020 PRISMA statement for systematic reviews. The three selected databases were Worldcat®, Cochrane Library®, and PubMed®. On March 7, 2022, a search for articles was conducted. The search sources' descriptions were Hericium erinaceus AND (mental disorders OR cognitive impairment OR depression OR anxiety). "English" was the sole filter applied to the data sources. Results: Three Japanese randomized double-blind controlled trials were included in the review. Although the data demonstrated that HE can be useful in treating symptoms of cognitive impairment and moderate cognitive impairment, it was not effective in treating depression/anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: More studies are needed in countries besides Japan, lasting at least 12 weeks, since shorter periods do not demonstrate significant improvement of symptoms. Incorporating HE into a patient's daily diet may produce favorable benefits by alleviating cognitive decline.
... It has also been reported to improve mental health and general well-being. Overall, consumption of Lion's Man can help improve mood and sleep (Okamura et al., 2015;Vigna et al., 2019), fight fatigue (He et al., 2017;Liu et al., 2015), reduce appetite (Khursheed et al., 2020), return circadian rhythms to normal (Furuta et al., 2016) and treat depression, anxiety and menopause (Chong et al., 2019;Nagano et al., 2010;Yao et al., 2015). ...
... The species can be found throughout the northern hemisphere in Europe, Asia, and North America (Thongbai et al. 2015). In recent years, the effects of H. erinaceus have been studied and reported, for example, H. erinaceus fruiting body has therapeutic effects on depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment (Nagano et al. 2010) and an anti-obesity effect during menopause (Hiraki et al. 2017). Multiple effects on the brain's neural networks and improved cognitive functions also made the oral intake of H. erinaceus become a safe and convenient method for dementia prevention (Saitsu et al. 2019). ...
Article
Four new natural compounds named hericenone O (1), hericenone P (2), hericenone Q (3), and hericenone R (4), two of them were reported synthetically (3-4), together with eleven known compounds were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by using NMR analysis and mass spectrometry, as well as comparisons with the reported data in the literature. The bioactivity evaluation revealed that hericenone Q showed significant cytotoxic activity against Hep-G2 with IC50 values of 23.89 μM, and against HCT-116 with IC50 values of 65.64 μM.
... Clinical studies have demonstrated that the consumption of HE-containing cookies for four weeks during menopause improves the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D), a scale for detecting depression. 36) However, no significant effect was detected compared to the placebo group. ...
Article
Estrogen deficiency during menopause causes a variety of neurological symptoms, including depression. The edible Lion’s Mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (HE), is a medicinal mushroom that has the potential for a neuroprotective effect and ameliorating neurological diseases, such as depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases. HE contains phytoestrogens, including daidzein and genistein. However, the ameliorating effect of HE on menopausal symptoms is not well understood. Here we investigated the impact of methanol extract of the HE fruiting body on depressive-like behavior in postmenopausal model rats. The activation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) causes body weight loss and uterine weight gain. Body weight gain and uterine weight loss by estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized (OVX) rats were reversed with 17β-estradiol (E2) but not with HE. Thus, the phytoestrogens in HE may hardly activate ERα. Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is expressed in the brain, and activation of ERβ ameliorates menopausal depressive symptoms. Notably, depressive-like behavior in OVX rats evaluated in forced swim test was reduced by administration of not only E2 but also HE for 92 d. Long-term activation of ERα increases the risk of breast and uterine cancers. HE, therefore, may be effective in treating menopausal depression without the risk of carcinogenesis caused by ERα activation. Fullsize Image
... Patients using G. lucidum had a higher sensation of well-being at the end of treatment, as judged by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), as well as a consistent reduction in the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) severity scale. • Nagano et al. (Nagano et al., 2010)evaluated the resultsof H. erinaceus (HE) on depression, sleep quality, menopause, and unexplained diseases in a random, doubleblinded, placebo-controlled experiment because of its effect on the (autonomic) nervous system and brain function. The Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Indefinite Complaints Index were used to conduct the assessments (ICI). ...
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Fungi are extremely diverse in terms of morphology, ecology, metabolism, and phylogeny. Approximately, 130 medicinal activities like antitumor, immunomodulation, antioxidant, radical scavenging, cardioprotective and antiviral actions are assumed to be produced by the various varieties of medicinal mushrooms. The polysaccharides, present in mushrooms like β-glucans, micronutrients, antioxidants like glycoproteins, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and ergosterols can help establish natural resistance against infections and toxins.. Clinical trials have been performed on mushrooms like Agaricus blazei Murrill Kyowa for their anticancer effect, A. blazei Murrill for its antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects, and some other mushrooms had also been evaluated for their neurological effects. The human evaluation dose studies had been also performed and the toxicity dose was evaluated from the literature for number of mushrooms. All the mushrooms were found to be safe at a dose of 2000 mg/kg but some with mild side effects. The safety and therapeutic effectiveness of the fungal mushrooms had shifted the interest of biotechnologists toward fungal nanobiotechnology as the drug delivery system due to the vast advantages of nanotechnology systems. In complement to the vital nutritional significance of medicinal mushrooms, numerous species have been identified as sources of bioactive chemicals. Moreover, there are unanswered queries regarding its safety, efficacy, critical issues that affect the future mushroom medicine development, that could jeopardize its usage in the twenty-first century.
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Background: Due to the rising prevalence of cognitive impairment in the middle-aged and elderly population, combined with consumer demand for functional foods to improve health and well-being. Objective: This study aimed to formulate a functional cone mushroom (Termitomyces fuliginosus) (FCM) protein snack bar and evaluate its amino acid profile, phytochemical contents, biological activity and impact on cognitive function. Methods: A total of 26 middle-aged male and female participants were randomized and divided into placebo, FCM1 and FCM2 groups. Continuous consumption was performed for 6 weeks. Demographic data, body composition, cognitive function and memory were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study period (6 weeks). Results: The event-related potential (ERP) analysis results showed a significant increase in N100 and P300 amplitude at the Fz location in participants who consumed the functional cone mushroom protein snack bar at a dose of 1 g compared to the placebo group (p = 0.015). Additionally, subjects who consumed the functional cone mushroom protein snack bar at a dose of 2 g showed a significantly increased P300 amplitude and percent accuracy of numeric working memory (p = 0.048) compared to those in the placebo group (p = 0.044). The possible underlying mechanism may involve AChE and MAO suppression activity alongside antioxidant activity. Conclusions: These data suggest that FCM can improve cognitive function and memory and may be considered for use in natural supplementation products with possible health benefits.
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Purpose: Osteoporosis is a major health concern in postmenopausal women. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus), also known as the Lion’s Mane mushroom, consumption on bone metabolism in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Materials and Methods: Rats in the Baseline group were sacrificed immediately, whereas rats in the Sham group underwent sham surgery, and those in the Ovx and Ovx + HE groups underwent bilateral Ovx. A diet containing the methanol extract of H. erinaceus was given to the Ovx+HE group for 13 weeks. Results: There was no significant difference in the femoral bone mass between the Ovx and Ovx+HE groups. In the histomorphometric study of the proximal tibial metaphysis, the osteoblast surface, mineralizing surface, and fat cell number were lower in the Ovx+HE group than those in the Ovx group. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that H. erinaceus does not prevent but rather accelerates bone loss in Ovx rats.
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Antidepressants are among the most used medications in the US, with significant deleterious effects on people's well-being. At any given time, depression impacts approximately 1 in 10 Americans, causing wide and broad societal costs. Interest is developing for non-pharmacological treatments and preventative measures. We summarize the literature on non-invasive dietary and lifestyle approaches for treating depression. This review aims to inform future research and treatment programs for depression by providing an evidentiary summary of integrative therapeutic approaches for depression.
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Basidiomycetous macrofungi have significant biotechnological potential and are promising objects for use in va-rious industrial sectors, such as food production, pharmaceuticals, the production of active compounds and polysaccharides. The industrial use of macrofungi implies the presence of large collections of cultures using sto-rage protocols that ensure the preservation of viability, reproduction, genetic stability and the ability to produce active compounds. With the expansion of the list of industrially used species, it is advisable to develop new protocols for the storage of strains and optimize the existing ones for new, promising types of macrofungi. It seems necessary to study in detail the effect of long periods of storage on morphological and cultural characteristics, genetic stability, enzymatic activity, and the ability to form sexual structures.
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Antidepressants are among the most used medications in the US, with significant deleterious effects on people’s well-being. At any given time, depression impacts approximately 1 in 10 Americans, causing wide and broad societal costs. Interest is developing for non-pharmacological treatments and preventative measures. We summarize the literature on non-invasive dietary and lifestyle approaches for treating depression, including recent work with the psychedelic treatment of depression. This review aims to inform future research and treatment programs for depression. This review provides an evidentiary summary of integrative therapeutic approaches for depression.
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Hericium erinaceus es un hongo comestible usado en la medicina desde la antigüedad. Se destaca por sus principales metabolitos neuroprotectores: las hericenonas y las erinacinas, que estimulan la síntesis del factor de crecimiento nervioso (NGF). Las biomoléculas de este hongo se relacionan con la neurogénesis, las actividades antidepresivas y ansiolíticas, mejorando las funciones cognitivas y ralentizando enfermedades neurodegenerativas; con lo cual, sus aplicaciones y tratamientos terapéuticos son prometedores.
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This article delves into the profound significance of the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia worldwide. With no current cure for AD, early detection stands as a cornerstone in managing the disease. Early diagnosis not only enables symptomatic treatment to enhance the quality of life but also facilitates proactive planning, addressing health care and living arrangements for the future. Additionally, early diagnosis can promote participation in clinical trials, granting patients access to emerging treatments. An essential component to this early detection is a robust understanding of the disease's causes. The paper examines the pathological indicators, such as beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, while highlighting the multifaceted origins of AD encompassing genetics, environmental factors, inflammation, and potential links with other diseases. An in-depth discussion on the influence of the environment further illustrates the complex interplay between genetics and external factors. Toxic chemicals, lifestyle choices in western societies, and other environmental determinants are scrutinized for their potential role in AD onset. In summary, the piece underscores the importance of a holistic understanding of Alzheimer's etiology, emphasizing that only through comprehensive knowledge can we aspire to identify, manage, and ultimately find a cure for this debilitating condition.
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Low mental energy can contribute to decreased productivity, altered life balance, decreased physical performance, and ultimately affect quality of life. As such, there is a great demand for food and beverage products that positively impact mental energy. Numerous products claim to alter mental energy making continued review of the scientific evidence critical. The objective of this study was to conduct a scoping review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of 18 dietary ingredients on mental energy outcomes in adults without severe disease. Methods: A literature search, completed using PubMed, resulted in the identification of 2261 articles, 190 of which met eligibility from initial abstract review. Full-text review was completed on the 190 studies which resulted in 101 articles that fully met eligibility for inclusion in this study. The search strategy for two ingredients did not yield any eligible studies, leaving studies for 16 ingredients that were extracted and summarized by reported significantly improved outcomes for cognition, mood and perceived feelings, and sleep assessments. The preliminary results for several dietary ingredients directionally suggested a mental energy benefit (≥20% of outcomes), including ashwagandha, chamomile, dark chocolate, ginseng, green tea, lavender, lion's mane mushroom, maca, tart cherries, turmeric, and valerian root. The results of this scoping review suggest that of the 16 dietary ingredients reviewed, 11 may be promising for further exploration on their potential benefits in supporting mental energy. Given consumer demand and market growth for food and beverage products that positively impact mental energy; continued efforts in assessment method alignment and additional evaluation in well-designed trials is warranted. KEY TEACHING POINTSOf the 16 dietary ingredients reviewed, 11 (ashwagandha, chamomile, dark chocolate, ginseng, green tea, lavender, lion's mane mushroom, maca, melatonin foods, turmeric, and valerian root) may be promising for further exploration on their potential mental energy benefits.Dark chocolate, ginseng, ashwagandha, and lion's mane mushroom were the most promising ingredients for further evaluation in the cognition domain of the ingredients evaluated.Turmeric, maca, lavendar, and ashwagandha were the most promising ingredients for further evaluation in the mood and perceived feelings domain of the ingredients evaluated.Ashwagandha, chamomile, green tea, melatonin foods, valerian root were the most promising ingredients for further evaluation in the sleep domain of the ingredients evaluated.Additional, well-designed, consistent, clinical trials and systematic reviews are warranted as the challenge of heterogeneity in mental energy study design remains.
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Anxiety and depression disorders are highly prevalent neurological disorders (NDs) that impact up to one in three individuals during their lifetime. Addressing these disorders requires reducing their frequency and impact, understanding molecular causes, implementing prevention strategies, and improving treatments. Cyclic nucleotide monophosphates (cNMPs) like cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), cyclic uridine monophosphate (cUMP), and cyclic cytidine monophosphate (cCMP) regulate the transcription of genes involved in neurotransmitters and neurological functions. Evidence suggests that cNMP pathways, including cAMP/cGMP, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), and Protein kinase A (PKA), play a role in the physiopathology of anxiety and depression disorders. Plant and mushroom-based compounds have been used in traditional and modern medicine due to their beneficial properties. Bioactive compound metabolism can activate key pathways and yield pharmacological outcomes. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of bioactive compounds from plants and mushrooms in modulating cNMP pathways. Understanding these processes will support current treatments and aid in the development of novel approaches to reduce the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders, contributing to improved outcomes and the prevention of associated complications.
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his book, as part of the "Natural Products Chemistry of Global Plants" series, describes in detail the health promoting wild edible and medicinal mushrooms specific to the Himilayas region. The focus of the book is to draw on the rich culture, folklore, and environment of the Upper Himilayas, which represents a scientifically significant region. The Himilayas has rich plant resources and a large diversity of plants and mushrooms, which can provide important health benefits as detailed throughout the text. Drawing attention to these mushrooms with detailed scientific descriptions may help in the awareness and in developing sustainable growth of these important resources. Features: Provides an opportunity to describe the wild edible and medicinal mushrooms from this scientifically significant region. Represents a wider variety of mushrooms than previously published in other books. Presents more content related to traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, distribution, processing, toxicology, conservation and future prospective of individual mushrooms. The plants and mushrooms of the region are valuable resources not only to local populations but to those living outside the region. Scientists are monitoring the rich Himalayan plant resources and the consequences of climate change on this precarious ecosystem.
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Hericium erinaceus (hydne hérisson) est un basidiomycète lignicole à la forme étonnante, constitué de touffes d'aiguillons blancs tombant en cascade. Il est devenu rare mais est aisément cultivé et des productions très importantes se déroulent en Asie. Hericium erinaceus est utilisé depuis des centaines d'années dans les pratiques holistiques traditionnelles en Asie. Il synthétise de nombreux composés bioactifs de natures diverses, avec de multiples effets sur l'animal et l'homme. Les activités les plus remarquables et spécifiques sont liées au système nerveux. Il peut améliorer le développement et le fonctionnement des nerfs. Il peut également empêcher les nerfs d'être endommagés. Il pourrait ainsi contribuer à prévenir des affections telles que, la maladie d'Alzheimer ou la maladie de Parkinson l'anxiété, la perte de mémoire. Les métabolites actifs les plus importants sont les héricénones et érinacines, spécifiques à ce genre. Il a été, et reste, fort utilisé pour les problèmes gastro-intestinaux. Aucun médicament n'a encore été formulé à partir de ce champignon. Il est cependant disponible sous forme de poudre ou d'extrait comme régénérant, stimulateur de la mémoire, du bien-être. Il faut bien entendu suivre les règles de prudence.
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This Short Review covers the total synthesis of tetraketide-based meroterpenoids, i.e. geranyl-resorcinols, isolated from the mushrooms of genus Hericium. Some of these compounds are believed to be involved in the unique health-promoting effects of Hericium erinaceus. Herein, more than seventy natural products identified so far have been classified into seven-types based on both assumed biosynthetic pathways and chemical structures, and the successful total syntheses are summarized according to the structural type. 1 Introduction 2 Pioneering Synthetic Study 3 Total Synthesis of Geranyl-Resorcinol with a Geranyl Side Chain (Types 1, 3, and 6) 4 Total Synthesis of Geranyl-Resorcinol with an Oxidized Geranyl-Derived Side Chain (Types 2, 4, and 7) 5 Conclusion
Article
Hericium erinaceus polypeptide (HEP) was prepared by an ultrasound-microwave assisted enzymatic method. Using an ultrafiltration membrane with molecular weights of 5 and 10 kDa, HEP was fractionated into three fractions, namely, (HEP-I (< 5 kDa), HEP-II (5–10 kDa), and HEP-III (> 10 kDa)). In vitro chemical methods were used to compare the antioxidant and hypolipidemic abilities of the polypeptide fractions from H. erinaceus before and after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. By constructing a hyperlipidemia model, the hypolipidemic ability of the high active fraction (HEP-II) was verified. The results showed that the antioxidant and hypolipidemic abilities of the polypeptide fractions from H. erinaceus did not change dramatically during simulated gastrointestinal digestion in vitro. The polypeptide fractions from H. erinaceus exhibited high tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal digestion in vitro, with strong antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities. HEP-II with a molecular weight of 5–10 kDa had the best stability, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic abilities in gastrointestinal digestion. The secondary structure of HEP-II was mainly composed of random coil (18.36%) and α-helix (47.71%) structures, which was beneficial to the hypolipidemic ability of HEP-II. Animal experiments showed that compared to the high-fat model group, HEP-II could inhibit the weight gain of the mice, decrease the liver index and serum levels of the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), alanine aminotransferase (AST), and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), increase the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), decrease the arteriosclerosis index (AI), and improve the hemorheological indices of the mice. In addition, the whole blood and plasma viscosities of the mice decreased, and HEP-II increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver, reducing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the degree of oxidative stress in the liver of hypolipidemia mice. Furthermore, HEP-II improved liver steatosis. These results indicated that the polypeptide fractions from H. erinaceus all had a potential hypolipidemic effect, and HEP-II had the strongest potential hypolipidemic effect.
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Mushrooms are nutraceutical food with health benefit. However, data is still limited in identifying the protective effect of mushroom consumption on depressive symptom. In a cohort of 87,822 Korean, we longitudinally assessed the risk of depressive symptom according to mushrooms consumption. Study participants were categorized into 5 groups by the frequency of one serving size of mushrooms (30 g) as follows: rare/never, <1/month, 1/month-1/week, 1-3/week, ≥ 3/week. The development of depressive symptom was determined in Center for epidemiological studies-depression (CES-D) scale ≥ 16. Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for depressive symptom (adjusted HR [95% CI]). Subgroup analysis was performed for gender and age. Compared with group with rare/never consumption, groups with mushrooms consumption ≥ one serving size/month had the significantly decreased levels in adjusted HR and 95% CI for depressive symptom (rare/never consumption: reference, < 1/month: 0.92 [0.83 - 1.02], 1/month-1/week: 0.88 [0.83 – 0.94], 1-3/week: 0.88 [0.82 – 0.94], ≥ 3/week: 0.86 [0.80 – 0.93]). This association was similarly observed in both gender and age subgroup analyses. However, women and participants ≥ age of 40 showed the more prominent association than men and participants < age of 40.
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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is implicated as a molecular mediator for adult neurogenesis and behavioral effects of antidepressant drugs. However, these potential roles of VEGF in the CNS have not been clarified in model animals. Here we have created transgenic mice overexpressing a short active variant of VEGF-A (VEGF120) in forebrain. Expression of VEGF120 significantly enhanced cell proliferation and angiogenesis, as exemplified by the formation of an enlarged reddish brain. Adult neurogenesis in hippocampus was markedly stimulated without affecting cell differentiation of neural progenitor cells. Hippocampal neurogenesis was particularly robust in young adult animals, but it declined with age and reduced to control levels by 20 weeks under continuous expression of VEGF120. Thus, VEGF alone is not sufficient to support the long-term enhancement of adult neurogenesis, and VEGF-induced vascularization per se does not necessarily predict increased neurogenesis. In transgenic mice, we observed significant changes in affective behaviors. VEGF was found to have not only antidepressant effects but also anxiolytic effects. In addition, we found that VEGF significantly reduced fear and aggression. In contrast, basal activities under natural conditions were not affected much. Unexpectedly, these characteristic behaviors were maintained in older transgenic mice undergoing a reduced level of cell proliferation in hippocampus, suggesting that there is potential dissociation between adult neurogenesis and mood regulation. Our data indicate that VEGF exerts strong neurogenic and angiogenic effects in postnatal brain and influences different forms of affective behaviors.
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Three new compounds, 3-hydroxyhericenone F (1), hericenone I (2), and hericenone J (3), were isolated from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum. The structures of 1-3 were determined by the interpretation of spectral data. Compound 1 showed the protective activity against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-dependent Neuro2a cell death, however, compounds 2 and 3 did not.
Article
Novel cytotoxic phenols, hericenone A () and B () were isolated from the mushroom . These structures were determined by interpretation of spectral data and chemical analyses.
Article
The structures of novel diterpenoids, erinacines A, B, and C, isolated from the cultured mycelia of Hericium erinaceum were determined by interpretation of the spectral data, and chemical and enzymatic reactions. These compounds showed potent stimulating activity of nerve growth factor (NGF)-synthesis.
Article
Novel compounds, hericenones C (3), D (4) and (5) were isolated from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum. These structures were determined by interpretation of the spectral data, and chemical and enzymatic reactions. These compounds have stimulating activity of the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF).
Article
Novel chromans, hericenones F, G and H were isolated from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum. These compounds stimulated the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) in vitro.
Article
The structures of erinacines E, F and G from mycelia of Hericium erinaceum were determined by spectroscopic and/or X-ray analysis. Erinacines E and F exhibited potent stimulating activity against NGF synthesis by astroglial cells.
Article
The aim of this study was to optimize the culture medium used for the mycelial growth and production of intracellular polysaccharides (IPS) and exopolysaccharides (EPS) in a submerged culture of Hericium erinaceum. Of the various factors examined, including carbon and nitrogen sources, vitamins, mineral elements, and initial pH, those that proved to have a significant effect were then tested using a 2(4) central composite rotatable design (CCRD). Under the optimal culture conditions, the maximal yield of biomass reached 14.24 +/- 0.45 g l(-1) and was 1.85-fold higher than in the basal medium. The kinetics of EPS biosynthesis in a bioreactor showed that although the highest yield of EPS (2.75 +/- 0.27 g l(-1)) could be obtained on day 8, the process of biosynthesizing high molecular weight polysaccharides proceeded until the depletion of the carbon source in the medium (after 14 days of cultivation). Our results could be very helpful in the large-scale production of bioactive polysaccharides from H. erinaceum.
Article
A double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 50- to 80-year-old Japanese men and women diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in order to examine the efficacy of oral administration of Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus), an edible mushroom, for improving cognitive impairment, using a cognitive function scale based on the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R). After 2 weeks of preliminary examination, 30 subjects were randomized into two 15-person groups, one of which was given Yamabushitake and the other given a placebo. The subjects of the Yamabushitake group took four 250 mg tablets containing 96% of Yamabushitake dry powder three times a day for 16 weeks. After termination of the intake, the subjects were observed for the next 4 weeks. At weeks 8, 12 and 16 of the trial, the Yamabushitake group showed significantly increased scores on the cognitive function scale compared with the placebo group. The Yamabushitake group's scores increased with the duration of intake, but at week 4 after the termination of the 16 weeks intake, the scores decreased significantly. Laboratory tests showed no adverse effect of Yamabushitake. The results obtained in this study suggest that Yamabushitake is effective in improving mild cognitive impairment.
Article
This review summarizes the current knowledge of characterized neurotrophic factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF) which serves as paradigmatic example when studying novel molecules. Special consideration is given to the function of neurotrophic factors in the adult and aging brain. Strategies are discussed for the eventual development of pharmacological applications of these molecules in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Article
A lectin was isolated from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum. This lectin is composed of two different subunits of 15 and 16 kDa and the molecular mass of the intact lectin was estimated to be 54 kDa by gel filtration. It exhibits specificity towards sialic acids, especially N-glycolylneuraminic acid.
Article
The Blatt-Kupperman menopausal index has been used widely in studies of climacteric symptoms, but it now needs to be reassessed. The original index was derived from clinical experience in New York in the 1950s. The index was a combination of self report and physician ratings; it omitted measures of vaginal dryness and loss of libido; no demographic data of the sample were given; weighting was used without statistical justification; terms were ill defined; categories included overlapping scores, and most importantly scores were summed without being based on independent factors. Modern psychometrics has led to the publication of reliable and valid scales. These should be used in climacteric research in preference to the Blatt-Kupperman index.
Article
Novel diterpenoids, erinacines H (1) and I (3), were isolated from the cultured mycelia of Hericium erinaceum. The structures of the compounds were determined by interpretation of the spectral data. Erinacine H showed stimulating activity of nerve growth factor (NGF)-synthesis.
Article
The hypolipidemic effect of an exo-biopolymer produced from a submerged mycelial culture of Hericium erinaceus was investigated in dietary-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Hypolipidemic effects were proportionally increased with the increasing concentration of the exo-biopolymer for oral administration. The exo-biopolymer, at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight, substantially reduced the plasma total cholesterol (32.9%), LDL cholesterol (45.4%), triglyceride (34.3%), phospholipid (18.9%), atherogenic index (58.7%), and hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity (20.2%). It increased the plasma HDL cholesterol level (31.1%) as compared to the control group. The molecular mass of this exo-biopolymer measured by HPLC was under 40 kDa. Total sugar and protein contents were 91.2 and 8.8%, respectively. The sugar and amino acid compositions of the exo-biopolymer were analyzed in detail.
Article
A sialic acid-binding lectin (Hericium erinaceum lectin, HEL), isolated from fresh fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceum, was treated with various temperature and pH to investigate its fluorescence spectra and hemagglutinating activity. It was found that the hemagglutinating activity of HEL was relatively steady below 60 °C and at pH from 6 to 11, and the change of hemagglutinating activity was relative to the change of hydrophobic areas where tryptophan residues located. In fluorescence quenching study of HEL by acrylamide and KI, it was indicated that nearly all the tryptophan residues of HEL located on the surface of the molecule, and most of them were in hydrophobic areas or negatively charged areas. Chemical modification of HEL proved that there were about twelve tryptophan residues in a HEL molecule and all of them were located on the surface or in the shallow groove of the molecule, and eight of them were essential for hemagglutinating activity; aspartic acid or glutamic acid residues were involved in maintaining the crucial conformation of activity center and made great contribution to the hemagglutinating activity of HEL, but they could not touch the sialic acid molecule directly; tyrosine residues also played a role in the hemagglutinating activity of HEL; while arginine, serine, threonine, histidine residues had no effect on the hemagglutinating activity of HEL.
Article
A laccase with a novel N-terminal sequence, a molecular mass of 63kDa, and inhibitory activity toward HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (IC(50)=9.5microM) was isolated from dried fruiting bodies of the monkey head mushroom Hericium erinaceum. A chromatographic procedure involving ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulose, and Q-Sepharose and fast protein liquid chromatography-gel filtration on Superdex 75 was employed. The laccase was adsorbed on DEAE-cellulose and Q-Sepharose but unadsorbed on CM-cellulose. High activity of the enzyme was observed at pH 3-5 and at 50-80 degrees C. Its activity was completely abolished at pH 8 and 9 and after boiling for 10min. A temperature of 50 degrees C and a pH of 5.0 were optimal for its activity.
Article
To examine the status and characteristics of climacteric symptoms reported by generally healthy middle-aged to elderly women in Japan, those living in Saitama Prefecture were surveyed . The subjects comprised 398 women ranging in age from 40 to <60 years (mean age, 50.5 years). Climacteric symptoms were objectively assessed using the Keio questionnaire. The total scores obtained for the 40 symptoms were used to calculate symptom prevalence and severity. (i) The most frequent symptom was poor memory, reported by 88.7% of the women. (ii) Lumbar-sacral back pain was rated as a severe symptom by the highest percentage of women (15.3%). (iii) The prevalence and severity of poor memory and lumbar-sacral back pain did not differ with menopausal status. (iv) Hot flashes and sweats were slightly higher in peri- and early postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. The present study showed that healthy women who do not consult physicians because of climacteric symptoms are primarily concerned with age-related symptoms, such as poor memory, loss of hair, and forgetfulness.
Article
In many types of neurodegeneration, neuronal cell death is induced by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Hence, natural products able to reduce ER stress are candidates for use in the attenuation of neuronal cell death and, hence, in the reduction of the damage, which occurs in neurodegenerative disease. In this study, we investigated ER stress-reducing natural products from an edible mushroom, Hericium erinaceum. As a result of screening by cell viability assay on the protein glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin-induced (i.e., ER stress-dependent) cell death, we found that dilinoleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (DLPE) was one of the molecules effective at reducing ER stress-dependent cell death in the mouse neuroblastoma cell line Neuro2a cells. A purified DLPE, commercially available, also exhibited a reducing effect on this ER stress-dependent cell death. Therefore, we concluded that DLPE has potential as a protective molecule in ER stress-induced cell death. From the structure of DLPE, it was hypothesized that it might activate protein kinase C (PKC). The activity of PKC-epsilon, a novel-type PKC, was increased by adding DLPE, and PKC-gamma, a conventional-type PKC, was activated on the coaddition of diolein and DLPE, as shown by in vitro enzyme activity analysis. The protecting activity of DLPE was attenuated in the presence of a PKC inhibitor GF109203X but not completely diminished. Therefore, DLPE can protect neuronal cells from ER stress-induced cell death, at least in part by the PKC pathway.
Article
To investigate the immunoregulatory functions of water extracts of Hericium erinaceum (WEHE) focusing on natural killer (NK) cell-based anticancer activities. Mouse splenocytes or purely isolated NK cells were stimulated with 1-100 mg/L WEHE for 24 h followed by co-culture with (51)Cr-labeled Yac-1 cells for 4 h, then NK cell-derived cytolytic activity was measured using a radio-release assay. Neutralizing antibodies against mouse interleukin-12 (IL-12) were added into the WEHE-stimulated splenocytes, thereafter, cytotoxicity was measured to examine the involvement of IL-12. RT-PCR and ELISA analyses were performed to confirm the induction of transcription and the translation of IL-12 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the WEHE-treated splenocytes. WEHE enhanced the cytolytic activity of total splenocytes towards Yac-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, this activation was not observed when the NK cells isolated from the splenocytes were treated with WEHE. Furthermore, the treatment with antibodies against IL-12 abolished the effect of WEHE on splenocyte-derived cytolytic activity. RT-PCR and ELISA analyses showed the induction of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in the WEHE-treated splenocytes. WEHE indirectly activates the cytolytic ability of NK cells via the induction of IL-12 in total splenocytes, and possibly via other immuno-mediators or cellular components.
Article
The development of new treatments for depression is predicated upon identification of neural substrates and mechanisms that underlie its etiology and pathophysiology. The heterogeneity of depression indicates that its origin may lie in dysfunction of multiple brain regions. Here we evaluate adult hippocampal neurogenesis as a candidate mechanism for the etiology of depression and as a substrate for antidepressant action. Current evidence indicates that adult hippocampal neurogenesis may not be a major contributor to the development of depression, but may be required for some of the behavioral effects of antidepressants. We next revisit the functional differentiation of the hippocampus along the septo-temporal axis within the context of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and suggest that neurogenesis in the ventral dentate gyrus may be preferentially involved in regulation of emotion. Finally, we speculate on how increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis may modulate dentate gyrus function to confer the behavioral effects of antidepressants.