Search Results (147)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health threat, necessitating the development of functional foods with chemopreventive potential. This study aimed to evaluate the modulation of the anticancer activity of Hericium erinaceus with different iron forms (FeCl₃, FeSO₄, and FeHBED) as it modulates its anticancer activity against HT-29 cells. The extracts were subjected to simulated in vitro digestion and analyzed for cytotoxicity (MTT), antioxidant capacity (DPPH), and morphological changes, alongside high-throughput RT-qPCR profiling of 92 cancer-related genes. The results demonstrated that iron speciation is critical, with FeHBED-biofortified extracts exhibiting the most potent concentration-dependent cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects. Treated cells displayed apoptotic morphology, including chromatin condensation and cell shrinkage. Molecular analysis revealed significant downregulation of key oncogenes (HRAS, MYC), cell cycle regulators (CDK4), and migration markers (RHOA, ITGB1), whereas VEGFA was upregulated as a stress-induced response. In conclusion, biofortification with FeHBED significantly enhanced the anticancer potential of H. erinaceus by targeting specific proliferative and survival pathways. These findings highlight the potential of iron-biofortified mushrooms as a functional dietary component for colorectal cancer prevention. Full article

A dual-platform mushroom cultivation system integrating artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted environmental monitoring and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) was developed to support experiential STEM education across K–12 and undergraduate settings. Hands-on instruction with multicellular fungi is often limited by reliance on microbial models and by constraints associated with field-based activities. To address this gap, we implemented an indoor instructional platform that combines a commercial AI-assisted automated cultivation unit with a tent-based chamber for hands-on environmental control. Representative cultivated species included oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) and lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus). The AI-assisted system provided sensor/camera-based monitoring, app-based feedback, and software-assisted regulation of humidity, light, and airflow, whereas the tent-based system enabled direct student manipulation of cultivation conditions. Together, the systems allowed students to observe fungal development, manage environmental parameters, and collect quantitative and qualitative data within a single academic term. Post-harvest activities, including mushroom-based food preparation and tasting, further connected fungal biology with food and sustainability. A matched pre- and post-course survey (n = 30) showed increases in students’ self-reported perceived understanding, cultivation confidence, and engagement, with mean scores increasing from approximately 2–4 to 6–8. Because the survey instrument was not formally validated and no control group was included, these results are interpreted as preliminary self-reported perceptions rather than objective evidence of learning gains. The platform provides a practical model for integrating fungal biology, AI-assisted environmental monitoring, and CEA into STEM education. Full article

Given the current global agricultural system, honey bees are exposed to a complex network of stressors that can act simultaneously, making it challenging to maintain healthy colonies. Therefore, studies on natural products to improve colony health have increased in recent years. Among them, fungal extracts have been shown to be beneficial to honey bees. However, there remains a knowledge gap regarding lifespan and histomorphological studies in bees fed fungal extracts. Our current study aimed to assess the impacts of extracts from Ganoderma lucidum (GL), Hericium erinaceus (HE), Inonotus obliquus (IO), and Trametes versicolor (TV) on the lifespan and midgut of honey bees. Newly emerged Carniolan honey bees (Apis mellifera carnica) were fed 4% of each fungal extract until the death of the last individual to assess survival probability. For histomorphological analyses, bees were fed for 7, 14, and 21 days and sampled at these same time points. Then, the midguts were dissected and histologically processed for qualitative and semi-quantitative microscopic analyses. The results showed that the fungal extracts did not significantly affect honey bee survival, and that the histomorphology of the intestinal villi, digestive cells, and regenerative cells in bees treated with fungal extracts did not differ from that of untreated bees throughout the analyzed period. Similarly, no differences were observed in the midgut lesion index between bees treated with fungal extracts and the untreated group. Overall, the absence of harmful effects on lifespan and midgut suggests that feeding fungal extracts may be a potential alternative for supporting bee health. Full article

Green synthesis of nanoparticles using biological extracts has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional physicochemical methods, as it provides eco-friendly reducing and stabilizing agents. In this study, silver–copper bimetallic nanoparticles (Ag/Cu-BNPs) were biosynthesized using an aqueous extract of the medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus, and their biological properties were evaluated. Three nanoparticle formulations (M1–M3), differing only in the proportion of H. erinaceus extract, were analyzed and selected based on their optical response in UV–Vis spectroscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM, and EDS. Antibacterial activity was assessed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using standard methods, while cytotoxicity was evaluated in cancer cell lines (Caco-2, HT-29, A549, MCF-7) and a normal fibroblast line (HDFn). The synthesized Ag/Cu-BNPs were quasi-spherical with an average size of 9.3 ± 3.4 nm, calculated from TEM image analysis of over 900 particles. They exhibited significant antibacterial activity, particularly against S. aureus, and showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with Caco-2 cells being the most sensitive. Notably, the nanoparticles displayed greater selectivity toward cancer cells compared to normal fibroblasts, suggesting potential biomedical applications in antimicrobial and antitumor therapies. These results suggest that H. erinaceus extract is an effective biogenic agent for Ag/Cu-BNP synthesis, and that the resulting nanoparticles possess antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties that warrant further investigation for potential biomedical applications. Full article

The global rise in cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders has intensified the search for safe and accessible strategies to support brain health. In recent years, nutraceuticals have gained considerable attention as potential modulators of neurological function due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired neurovascular integrity play central roles in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and autism spectrum disorder, among others. This narrative review provides an integrated overview of selected nutraceuticals with potential relevance to brain-related disorders, including biotin, folinic acid, flavonoids (apigenin, diosmin, luteolin, naringin, pycnogenol, and quercetin), huperzine A, Lion’s mane, olive oil polyphenols, oleuropein and palmitoylethanolamide. Rather than presenting a purely descriptive summary, we considered both mechanistic and clinical evidence, highlighting differences in the strength, consistency, and quality of available data across compounds. Among the reviewed compounds, huperzine A, specific flavonoids—particularly luteolin—and olive oil polyphenols demonstrated relatively stronger and more consistent support across experimental models and emerging clinical studies, mainly through modulation of cholinergic signaling, neuroinflammatory pathways, and oxidative stress responses. In contrast, evidence for other agents remains limited, heterogeneous, or primarily at the preclinical level. Overall, this review aims to provide a clearer and more structured synthesis of the current literature on neuronutrition, identifying compounds with the most promising profiles while outlining key limitations and research gaps that need to be addressed to better define their role in brain health. Full article

Recognized for its dual nutritional and therapeutic value, the fungus Hericium erinaceus is increasingly acknowledged as a rich resource of naturally derived α-glucosidase inhibitors. In this study, eight compounds were isolated from H. erinaceus, including three novel compounds designated as erinacerins X−Z (1, 2, and 6). Their absolute configurations were definitively elucidated using a combination of NMR, HR-MS, and ECD calculations. Furthermore, an integrated screening strategy combining molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis identified two isoindolin-1-ones (2 and 3) as potent naturally derived α-glucosidase inhibitors. Notably, in vitro testing established compounds 2 and 3 as robust α-glucosidase inhibitors, affording IC₅₀ values of 17.80 ± 1.03 μM and 19.50 ± 1.33 μM, respectively. MD simulations revealed that electrostatic interactions and van der Waals forces are the primary drivers of this intermolecular association. These findings were further corroborated by SPR analysis, which quantified their high-affinity binding kinetics to the enzyme. Overall, this combined approach establishes a solid foundation for the discovery and development of natural α-glucosidase inhibitors from H. erinaceus. Full article

This narrative review proposes the ‘Brain Health Triad’ as a novel integrative framework for neurorehabilitation and cognitive enhancement, built upon three interdependent biological pillars: neurostimulation, neurotrophy, and neuroprotection. We illustrate how the synergistic interplay between a ‘core triad’ composed of Hericium erinaceus, Bacopa monnieri, and L-Theanine targets these pillars with high specificity. Hericium erinaceus fosters neurotrophy by inducing Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) synthesis through erinacines and hericenones; Bacopa monnieri complements this by enhancing neurostimulation and synaptic plasticity via bacosides; and L-Theanine regulates neurotransmitter balance and alpha-wave activity to stabilize the neural signaling environment. This core architecture is further reinforced by adjunctive nootropic clusters—including withanolides, ginkgolides, citicoline, cordycepin, macamides, and fulvic acid—which provide essential support for mitochondrial resilience and the mitigation of amyloid-β and tau toxicities. By synthesizing molecular evidence from the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling axis and the Nrf2/NF-κB homeostatic switch, we demonstrate that this multi-target strategy offers a more robust path to neuronal resilience than traditional single-target approaches. We conclude that this integrated model provides a solid framework for future clinical applications in the management of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

Thermal processing of biomass can induce chemical transformations that lead to the formation of fluorescent carbonaceous products. In this study, six β-glucan-rich medicinal mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps sinensis, Inonotus obliquus, Lentinula edodes, Grifola frondosa, and Hericium erinaceus, were subjected to mild pyrolytic treatment (200 °C for 3 h) to investigate the formation of water-soluble fluorescent fractions. Physicochemical characterization of aqueous extracts was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography size-exclusion chromatography (HPLC-SEC), fluorescence emission spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and β-glucan quantification. Fluorescence emission spectra revealed species-dependent differences in emission intensity, with the most pronounced signals observed for G. lucidum and C. sinensis. HPLC-SEC analysis showed only minor changes in molecular weight distribution after thermal treatment, suggesting limited polymer degradation. FTIR spectra indicated moderate structural modifications consistent with partial carbonization and chemical rearrangement within the mushroom matrices. Despite the mild processing conditions, measurable increases in fluorescence intensity were observed in several species, indicating the formation of fluorescent carbon-rich molecular structures. These findings demonstrate that moderate thermal treatment of β-glucan-rich fungal biomass can generate water-soluble fluorescent carbonaceous fractions without extensive breakdown of the original polysaccharide matrix. The results provide new insights into thermally induced photophysical changes in medicinal mushrooms and contribute to understanding the formation of fluorescent carbonaceous products from natural biomaterials. Full article

The cultivation of Hericium erinaceus in China accounts for about 85% of the global supply. Its decentralized production systems have developed across diverse climate zones, leading to distinct, location-specific practices recorded in local technical standards. This scoping review synthesizes these empirical protocols from five agro-climatic regions. It illustrates how adaptive strategies such as cold-tolerant strains in the northeast and market-driven precision in the subtropics are associated with yield stability. These practices reflect two interconnected forms of diversity. One is the diversity of cultivation systems themselves, from forest-based methods to industrial-scale production systems. The other is the diversity of locally adapted strains developed for specific environments. We use the Intelligent Germplasm–Cultivation–Processing–Market (GCPM) Integration framework to connect local practices with broader questions of systemic resilience. The evidence draws on field-validated standards, not controlled experiments, reflecting the current state of research. This work presents China’s practical knowledge as a reference for designing context-sensitive, climate-resilient cultivation systems elsewhere, suggesting that resilience may depend more on intelligent adaptation to local conditions than on one-size-fits-all solutions. Full article

Chronic neuroinflammation driven by microglial activation is a pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, and the NF-$\kappa$B/iNOS signaling axis plays a central role in propagating this damage. NF-$\kappa$B-mediated iNOS transcription generates excessive nitric oxide, causing oxidative neuronal injury. The medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus produces cyathane diterpenoid erinacines and isoindolinone erinacerins, both reported to attenuate neuroinflammation; however, the molecular basis of their interactions with iNOS and NF-$\kappa$B remains poorly characterized. We screened 21 erinacerins and 18 erinacines against both targets using validated molecular docking, then subjected top-ranked candidates and negative controls to 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations, MM-PBSA binding free energy calculations (±SEM), per-residue energy decomposition, backbone RMSD, and ligand–protein minimum distance analyses, with quercetin as reference. The analysis revealed scaffold-dependent target selectivity: erinacerins exhibited preferential stability with iNOS (erinacerin L: RMSD 0.185 nm), whereas erinacines formed more stable complexes with NF-$\kappa$B (erinacines G and J: RMSD < 0.36 nm). Minimum-distance monitoring confirmed that the elevated ligand RMSD in iNOS predominantly reflected surface relocation rather than dissociation. Erinacine S emerged as the most promising dual-target candidate ($\Delta G_{bind}$: −24.31 ± 0.16 and −14.24 ± 0.11 kcal/mol for iNOS and NF-$\kappa$B, respectively), over twofold stronger than quercetin for iNOS. Negative controls revealed that docking-based ranking was target-dependent in its discriminative capacity, underscoring the need for MD-based refinement. These results identify erinacine S as a priority candidate for experimental validation. Full article

In this study, the Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was adopted to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions of polyphenols from Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus) on the basis of single-factor experiments, with extraction time, solid–liquid ratio and ethanol concentration as the key investigation factors. The optimal extraction parameters were determined as follows: extraction time of 56.85 min, solid–liquid ratio of 1:56.71 g/mL and ethanol concentration of 44.64%, under which the actual yield of the total polyphenol crude extract (TPCE) reached 0.9985 ± 0.03%, which was highly consistent with the theoretical predicted value of 0.9960%, verifying the good fitting degree of the established model. Taking L-ascorbic acid as the positive control, the antioxidant activity of TPCE was evaluated by determining its scavenging capacity against ABTS·⁺, ·OH and DPPH· free radicals, and the half-maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) values were measured to be 0.8850, 0.9490 and 4.198 mg/mL, respectively. With acarbose as the reference drug, the inhibitory effects of TPCE on α-amylase and α-glucosidase related to carbohydrate metabolism were assayed, and the corresponding half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values were 0.0135 and 130.3 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) was employed for the tentative identification of bioactive components in TPCE, and a total of 48 and 64 chemical constituents were characterized in negative and positive ion modes, respectively, providing a chemical basis for the biological activities of TPCE. This study confirmed that UAE is an efficient and feasible technology for extracting polyphenols from H. erinaceus, which lays a theoretical foundation for the development and utilization of its polyphenols, and also provides novel insights into the development of natural functional ingredients and potential therapeutic agents for the intervention of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the findings further validate edible fungi as a valuable reservoir of natural bioactive substances, with promising application prospects in the research and development of functional foods and pharmaceuticals targeting metabolic diseases. Full article

This study used highland barley straw from the Tibetan Plateau to cultivate Pleurotus ostreatus, Pholiota nameko, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus eryngii, and Hericium erinaceus, addressing straw waste, forage shortages, and underutilized barley straw. The results showed that highland barley straw was suitable for cultivating P. ostreatus and P. nameko, with P. ostreatus yielding significantly more. After fruiting, spent mushroom substrates (SMS) from both species had higher crude protein, fat, and ash, with reduced fiber content compared to raw straw. P. ostreatus SMS showed greater protein accumulation and fiber degradation, offering better feed quality than P. nameko. Fungal communities were more concentrated under P. ostreatus, while P. nameko had higher diversity. Multivariate analyses showed that fungal community structure correlated with protein, fat, and feed quality, while bacterial communities were linked to fiber content. Functional predictions indicated that P. ostreatus enriched carbohydrate and energy metabolism pathways, while P. nameko was more associated with biosynthetic functions. Overall, cultivating mushrooms on barley straw improved SMS feed quality, with P. ostreatus showing greater potential for feed use. Full article

Against the backdrop of China’s booming edible fungi industry, shortages and price hikes of traditional cultivation substrates have emerged as critical bottlenecks. Meanwhile, the disposal of a large amount of ginger straw produced during the ginger cultivation process is also a major challenge. To address these issues, this study explored ginger straw as an alternative substrate for Pleurotus geesteranus and Hericium erinaceus, focusing on the optimization of substrate formulas and their effects on the nutritional quality of the fungi. Superior strains were first screened, after which the addition ratios of ginger straw (10–40%) were optimized. Commercial characteristics, nutritional components, and safety indicators of the fruiting bodies were determined, and a comprehensive quality evaluation was conducted using the membership function method. Results indicated that excellent strains of both fungi were selected: the optimal ginger straw addition ratio was 15–30% for P. geesteranus and 15% for H. erinaceus. Compared with the conventional cottonseed hull substrate, the optimized formulas significantly increased the biological efficiency (BE) by 9.08–27.1% for P. geesteranus and 9.16% for H. erinaceus. They also improved the contents of key nutrients (e.g., proteins and amino acids), enhanced total antioxidant capacity, and optimized the composition of flavor-contributing amino acids. This study offers a novel approach for the efficient utilization of ginger straw, provides technical and theoretical support for the low-cost and high-quality cultivation of edible fungi, and contributes positively to the development of ecological circular agriculture. Full article

This study describes a single-laboratory validation of an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) method for the determination of key compounds like hericenones, hericenes, erinacines, and ergosterol in Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus, Lion’s Mane) raw materials and finished products. The expanding market for Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) has increased the need for practical, routine-ready analytical methods that can quantify characteristic marker compounds and strengthen quality control across both raw materials and finished products. In this study, an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) separation method was developed for the determination of hericenones, hericenes, erinacines, and ergosterol in Hericium erinaceus raw materials and finished products. Under the optimized conditions, the major target analytes—hericenones, hericenes, erinacine A, and ergosterol—were fully resolved (R_s > 1.5) within 38 min using an HSS T3 column at 30 °C. All the peaks in the LC chromatogram of Hericium erinaceus samples and standard solutions were structurally confirmed by LC–UV-MS/MS based on the possible mass spectra. The quantitative calibration curves were linear, covering a range of 10–300 μg/mL for hericenone C, D and E, and hericene A, D and C; 3–100 μg/mL for deacylhericenone and deacylhericene; 1–50 μg/mL for erinacine A, and 5–200 μg/mL for ergosterol. Limits of quantification (LOQs) for hericenone C, D, and E and for hericene A, D, and C were approximately 9.263, 4.545, 4.650, 1.854, 10.72, and 11.18 µg/mL, respectively, while LOQs for deacylhericenone and deacylhericene were 1.083 and 2.109 µg/mL. Erinacine A and ergosterol showed LOQs of 0.642 and 8.352 µg/mL, respectively. The recovery of ergosterol was evaluated for the method at two different levels: 91.6~93.9% for 0.2% spiking and 93.0~102.6% for 0.08% spiking. The method was successfully validated, demonstrating inter-day Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) values between 1.1% and 5.7% for detected analytes across diverse matrices. This validated method provides a consistent quantification of hericenones, hericenes, erinacine A, and ergosterol across a range of commercial products and raw Hericium erinaceus materials, providing a sensitive and reliable tool for product characterization and quality control. This method provides QC laboratories with a robust, UV-based tool for standardized product characterization without requiring mass spectrometry. Full article

Exposure to lead is associated with microglial dysfunction and the development of neuroinflammation. This contributes to accelerated neurodegeneration. Even low doses of this element modulate inflammatory responses and might contribute to central nervous system dysfunction. Extracts from the mushroom Hericium erinaceus (HE) possess well-documented neurotropic properties; however, its potential neuroprotective mechanisms under conditions of environmental neurotoxicity remain poorly defined. In this study, we investigated the effects of HE on inflammatory signaling in a microglia-oriented in vitro model using THP-1-derived macrophages exposed to low levels of lead (3.5 µg/dL). In our study, Pb exposure did not increase tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha levels but reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion and altered cyclooxygenase (COX) expression, indicating immune response modulation rather than inflammatory activation. Under combined Pb and HE exposure, a marked shift in cyclooxygenase expression toward COX-2 at both the gene and protein levels was observed, accompanied by increased PGE₂ production; these effects were dose-dependent. The inflammatory signaling was modulated rather than amplified. Also, TNF alpha levels were elevated after combined treatment, whereas gene expression responses were dose-dependent. MCP-1 secretion was fine-tuned toward control values, consistent with macrophage morphological changes, while IL-6 levels were increased. Overall, these findings indicate that Hericium erinaceus exerts immunomodulatory effects in microglia-like cells under low-level lead exposure, supporting its neuroprotective potential through modulation of neuroinflammatory signaling. Full article