Applications of Mushrooms as Immune Boosters

Abstract

Mushrooms abound with bioactive constituents that promote good health, treat diseases, and boost the immune system of humans. These organic compounds include but are not restricted to protein, vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids, bio-functional components, fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs), polysaccharides, terpenes, terpenoids, sesquiterpenes, polyphenolic compounds, lactones, and steroids. Numerous notable mushrooms also exhibit therapeutic properties such as Agaricus subrufescens, Cordyceps sinensis, Lentinula edodes , and Hericium erinaceus among others. Primary immunomodulatory compounds present in numerous medicinal mushrooms include terpenes, flavonoids, lectins, terpenoids, fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs), and polyoses of which the latter serves as the most common natural immunomodulators from mushrooms. Varying chemical and physical components of these immunomodulating polysaccharides are obtained with significant individual effects on the bioactivity and mechanism of action. There are three core pathways associated with fundamental molecular mechanisms of immunomodulation by mushrooms and they include signal regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) through the NF-κB fundamental modulator (NEMO) composite, activation of phospholipase C-gamma (PLCγ), closely followed by calcineurin and the controlling of flagging route by which reactive oxygen species (ROS) be produced. In addition, FIPs have different functions including the inducement of antigen anchoring cells along with the discharge of cytokines including NO plus IL-12 when FIPs bind to Toll-like receptors (TLRs), promoting the propagation and distinctness of auxiliary T cells (Th0) to assemble Th1 cells together with Th2 cells, triggering of macrophages plus B cells and production of a heterogeneity of biotic determinants. Currently, research has focused on identifying antitumor components in mushroom extracts since a strong relationship exists between the human immune system and initiation of tumors, and dependence on the activation of the immune system. These compounds facilitate immune activation for cancer therapeutics, resolution of host defense-induced inflammatory reactions, and assist in the recovery of homeostasis in the recovered individuals. There are medicinal mushroom formulations that provide synergistic antitumor and immuno-modulatory functions. These functional constituents from medicinal mushrooms have been validated both from the foods and clinical assessments, hence the need for enhanced incorporation of mushrooms in foods as functional foods to achieve a robust immune system.