Nutrition
Mushrooms and potential stem cell therapies
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Ainhoa Pérez
Alumni
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MPH, MSc.
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Mushrooms, rich in nutraceutical compounds, provide significant health benefits. Several studies have shown that consuming mushrooms can reduce health complications associated with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. However, they are predominantly consumed in the form of dietary supplements rather than medicines.
Mushrooms belong to the fungi kingdom, which is distinct from plants and animals. While plant cells possess totipotency, a capacity that allows them to direct the entire development of an organism, this phenomenon is rare in animals. In fungi, almost all cells can be considered "stem cells."
In nutritional terms, mushrooms contain almost all essential amino acids in quantities higher than many common vegetables. They are an outstanding source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and rich in vitamins such as riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), folates (B9), and traces of vitamins C, B1, B12, D, and E.
In addition, mushrooms are abundant in secondary metabolites with multiple health benefits, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties, thus contributing to the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Several bioactive compounds specific to mushrooms have demonstrated their ability to modulate the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. A recent discovery is anthroquinonol (ANQ), a derivative of camphorate from the Antrodia mushroom, which has inhibitory effects on colon cancer stem cells. Similarly, in breast tumors and C6 glioma cells, treatment with ANQ showed a significant reduction in tumor migration and invasion without affecting normal cells.
Natural compounds such as quercetin and myricetin have also shown inhibitory effects on neoplastic transformation. Currently, research efforts are focused on bioactive compounds extracted from mushrooms and their application in regenerative medicine. This interdisciplinary approach deals with the replacement, engineering, or regeneration of damaged human cells, tissues, or organs to restore their normal functions.
Numerous chemical compounds have been reported for their ability to precondition stem cells. Therapeutic agents derived from natural compounds are preferred for priming or regulating the activation of various types of stem cells. Mushrooms, therefore, represent a field of great interest in these areas of research, highlighting their potential in modern medicine.
Mushrooms belong to the fungi kingdom, which is distinct from plants and animals. While plant cells possess totipotency, a capacity that allows them to direct the entire development of an organism, this phenomenon is rare in animals. In fungi, almost all cells can be considered "stem cells."
In nutritional terms, mushrooms contain almost all essential amino acids in quantities higher than many common vegetables. They are an outstanding source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and rich in vitamins such as riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), folates (B9), and traces of vitamins C, B1, B12, D, and E.
In addition, mushrooms are abundant in secondary metabolites with multiple health benefits, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties, thus contributing to the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Several bioactive compounds specific to mushrooms have demonstrated their ability to modulate the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. A recent discovery is anthroquinonol (ANQ), a derivative of camphorate from the Antrodia mushroom, which has inhibitory effects on colon cancer stem cells. Similarly, in breast tumors and C6 glioma cells, treatment with ANQ showed a significant reduction in tumor migration and invasion without affecting normal cells.
Natural compounds such as quercetin and myricetin have also shown inhibitory effects on neoplastic transformation. Currently, research efforts are focused on bioactive compounds extracted from mushrooms and their application in regenerative medicine. This interdisciplinary approach deals with the replacement, engineering, or regeneration of damaged human cells, tissues, or organs to restore their normal functions.
Numerous chemical compounds have been reported for their ability to precondition stem cells. Therapeutic agents derived from natural compounds are preferred for priming or regulating the activation of various types of stem cells. Mushrooms, therefore, represent a field of great interest in these areas of research, highlighting their potential in modern medicine.
References:
Shibu, M.A., Shanmugam, T., Agrawal, D.C., Huang, CY. (2019). Mushrooms: A Wealth of Resource for Prospective Stem Cell-Based Therapies. In: Agrawal, D., Dhanasekaran, M. (eds) Medicinal Mushrooms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6382-5_6
* The news published on studies do not represent an official position of ICNS, nor a clinical recommendation.
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