D R . ISH R AT N A Z

D EPA RTM EN T O F PLA N T PATH O LO G YTH E U N IV ER S ITY O F A G R IC U LTU R E, P ES HAWA R

K H Y BER PA K TH U N K H WA

Mushroom pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals

Mushrooms

Often grouped with vegetables, mushrooms provide many of the nutritional attributes of produce, as well as attributes more commonly found in meat, beans or grains. 

Medicinal component of mushrooms

Mushrooms are relatively high in proteins of good quality, containing all essential amino acids and are rich in lysine and leucine, which most staple cereal foods are either low in or lacking.

Mushrooms are excellent source of folic acid.

Medicinal component of mushrooms

Mushrooms are low: In calories, Fat-free, Cholesterol-free,  Gluten-free, and very low in sodium, Yet they provide important nutrients, including selenium,

potassium (8%), riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D and more. They have a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy 94 kJ (22 kcal)Carbohydrates 4.3 gFat 0.1 gProtein 2.5 gVitaminsThiamine (B1) (9%) 0.1 mgRiboflavin (B2) (42%) 0.5 mgNiacin (B3) (25%) 3.8 mgPantothenic acid (B5) (30%) 1.5 mgVitamin C (0%) 0 mgTrace mineralsCalcium (2%) 18 mgPhosphorus (17%) 120 mgPotassium (10%) 448 mgSodium (0%) 6 mgZinc (12%) 1.1 mg

Medicinal component of mushrooms

Mushrooms are a good source of B vitamins.B vitamins also play an important role in the nervous system.Pantothenic acid helps with the production of hormones and

also plays an important role in the nervous system.Riboflavin helps maintain healthy red blood cells.Niacin promotes healthy skin and makes sure the digestive and

nervous systems function properly.

Medicinal component of mushrooms

Mushrooms are also a source of important minerals:Selenium is a mineral that works as an antioxidant to

protect body cells from damage that might lead to heart disease, some cancers and other diseases of aging.

It also has been found to be important for the immune system.

Medicinal component of mushrooms

Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring antioxidant that also may help protect the body’s cells.

Mushrooms provide 2.8-4.9 mg of ergothioneine per serving of white, portabella or crimini mushrooms.

Medicinal component of mushrooms

Copper helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. Copper also helps keep bones and nerves healthy.

Potassium: (98-376 mg of potassium per 84 gram serving)Maintenance of normal fluid and mineral balance, which helps

control blood pressure. 

Beta-glucans: Contribute to resistance agai.nst allergies

(Mushrooms) Beta-glucans

Nutraceuticals

Nutraceuticals:The term nutraceutical refers to the functional foods that are

consumed as a part of the normal diet.

Mushrooms are nutraceuticals. Nutraceutical possess medicinal as well as nutritional attributes. E.g Ganoderma medicines or capsules.

Reishi: Ganoderma lucidum

Widely used Nutraceutical Mushroom

Lowering the blood pressureLowering the level of blood sugarAnti-tumorImmuno-modulatoryHematoprotective activitiesIncreasing body resistanceImprove hearing and sight

(Singh et al., 2007; Singh et al., 2008; Singh et al., 2009).

Mushroom as Pharmaceuticals

When a chemically defined preparation with medicinal properties is obtained such as mushroom, this can be referred to as Pharmaceutical.

Pharmaceuticals have special medical usage, being used therapeutically for the treatment of special medical conditions.

Applied as OrallyInhalationTopicallyInjection

Mushroom Medicines

Shiitake, Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Singer

Shiitake contains an anti-cancer compound known as polysaccharides lentinan

Medicinal mushrooms

Maitake (Grifola frondosa (Dicks.:Fr.) S.F. Gray

D-fraction (anti-cancer), from maitake mushroom.

Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr) Loyd Krestin, anticancer agent from Trametes

versicolor

Polysaccharide-K – a protein extract from the trametes versicolor fungus, or turkey tail –boost the immune system of cancer patients in (Japan)

Medicinal mushrooms

Schizophyllum commune (Fr.:Fr)

Schizophyllan, anticancer agent from Schizophyllum commune.

Cordyceps militaris (Caterpillar fungus)

Agaricus bisporus

Anti-cancer properties

Pleurotus spp.

Pleurotus species have high medicinal value. Compounds extracted from these mushrooms exhibit activity against various chronic diseases including

Hypertension,Hypercholesterolemia, Anti-oxidantAnti-inflammatoryAnti-tumor(Wasser, 2002).

Pleurotus spp

Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus pulmonarius

Possess anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activity.

Phellinus rimosus

Indian mushroom, Phellinus rimosus shows anti-hepatotoxic activities