CURRENT STATE OF RESEARCH Medicinal mushroom science has made good progress over the last three decades, resulting in new classes of pharmaceutical agents in Asia and various types of dietary and nutritional supplements across the world. The community of mushroom researchers and thought leaders has grown extensively during this time as well, owing to the rich opportunities in this field of research, both from a human health and environmental perspective. More than 600 studies on medicinal mushrooms have been published worldwide, and numerous human clinical trials have been conducted. Many bioactive compounds have completed the clinical trial phases in Asia and are being used to treat various cancers and other diseases.
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS AND PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS Medicinal mushrooms have much potential as daily dietary or nutritional supplements to benefit overall health and immune function. Today, several types of mushroom supplements are available. As pharmaceutical agents, medicinal mushrooms are most helpful for modulating immune function and maintaining good health for immunocompromised individuals and those undergoing cancer treatment. Major bioactive compounds that have been developed as products include polysaccharides, specifically β-glucans. The following products are available for clinical and commercial purposes: •
krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP) from Trametes versicolor
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lentinan isolated from Lentinula edodes
Medicinal Mushrooms in the 21st Century 20
