Phenolics Phenolic compounds are another group of secondary metabolites worth highlighting, as they exhibit a wide range of therapeutic functions including anti-inflammatory, anti- allergenic, anti-atherogenic, antimicrobial, antithrombotic, cardioprotective and vasodilating benefits. The chief mechanism of action of this group of compounds is related to their antioxidant activity. Medicinal mushroom: boon for therapeutic applications Biotech (2018) 8:334.
THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES Studies have shown that medicinal mushrooms have over 125 therapeutic functions. Some of the major benefits are described below.
Anticancer and Immune Function Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with the most common treatment being chemotherapy, which has serious side effects. The search continues for effective, non-toxic treatments.
Schematic illustration of therapeutic applications of edible mushrooms
In recent years, several species of medicinal mushrooms have been studied for their anticancer properties in human cell lines, including leukemia, breast, renal, gastric, colorectal, and cervical cancers. Mushroom polysaccharides have been identified as one of the major categories of bioactive compounds to demonstrate anticancer effects in several cancer cell lines, including colorectal, renal, and oral cancer. Other bioactive compounds have also been recognized for their therapeutic potential, such as lectins (leukaemia), triterpenes (breast cancer), and clitocine (cervical cancer). Medicinal Mushrooms in the 21st Century 13
