Discussion on the relationship between Hericium erinaceus and human health

Hericium erinaceus is a fungus of the family Odontaceae and the genus Hericium. It is head-shaped or obovate-shaped, like a monkey's head, hence the name "hericium". Hericium erinaceus is an edible treasure in China. Its meat is tender and fragrant, delicious and tasty, rich in nutrition, and excellent in color, fragrance and taste. In addition, Hericium erinaceus is also a precious traditional Chinese medicinal material with the functions of nourishing and strengthening the body, aiding digestion, and benefiting the five internal organs. Modern research shows that Hericium erinaceus contains active ingredients such as polypeptides, polysaccharides, fats and proteins, which have certain therapeutic effects on digestive tract tumors, gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, abdominal distension, etc. Clarifying the dose-effect relationship between the active ingredients of Hericium erinaceus and the human body is conducive to the development and utilization of Hericium erinaceus, and also provides new raw material references for the development of corresponding functional foods, health foods, and special medical foods for human health.

Sharing of recent research results

Polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus alleviate ulcerative colitis and reestablish intestinal homeostasis in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of polysaccharides extracted from Hericium erinaceus fruiting bodies (HEFP) on oxidative stress inflammatory responses in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by dextran sodium sulfate ingestion. The results showed that compared with the model control (MC) group, the HEFP group had reduced oxidative damage, significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels in colon homogenates, and significantly increased levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase. In addition, compared with the MC group, the levels of proinflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were significantly decreased in the positive control (PC) group and the HEFPs group, while those in the control group were significantly decreased. The anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was significantly increased. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the colonic expression patterns of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-18 were consistent with serum levels. Western blot results showed that the levels of NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase 1 P20 were significantly lower in the HEFP and PC groups than in the MC group. These findings suggest that HEFP alleviates UC by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome/Caspase-1 pathway. Lachnospiraceae, Clostridiales, Parabacteroides, Oscillobacterium, and Clostridium XIVa were more abundant in the gut microbiota of the HEFPs group than in the MC group.

Conclusion

HEFPs can alleviate UC-related symptoms, reduce associated histopathological damage, upregulate antioxidant enzymes, and reduce inflammation by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome/Caspase-1 pathway. Meanwhile, HEFPs rebalance the gut microbiota in UC. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of HEFP for UC. However, clinical trials are necessary to confirm its efficacy and safety in humans.

Erinacine S, a trace active ingredient derived from Hericium erinaceus, protects oligodendrocytes and alleviates mood disorders in rodents exposed to copper chelators

Abstract

Hericium erinaceus mycelial extract (HEM) containing Erinacine A (HeA) and Erinacine S (HeS) showed promise in promoting differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) into mature oligodendrocytes (OLs), which are essential for the production of myelin in the central nervous system. The main objective of this study was to characterize the protective effects of HEM and its components on OLs and myelin in demyelinated rodents exposed to the copper chelator CPZ, a copper chelator commonly used to induce demyelination in the corpus callosum of the brain. Rats were fed a diet containing CPZ and simultaneously orally administered HEM, HeA, or HeS daily for three weeks. The study found that HEM and HeS preserved myelin and OLs in the corpus callosum of CPZ-fed rats, while reducing the activation of microglia and astrocytes and down-regulating the expression of IL-1β. Moreover, in a mouse model with acute (6 weeks) or chronic (12 weeks) CPZ-induced demyelination, HeS treatment was demonstrated to effectively preserve myelin in the corpus callosum after oral administration in the last 4 weeks (HeS4/6 or HeS4/12). Moreover, HeS4/6 and HeS4/12 suppressed anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in CPZ-fed mice. In conclusion, simultaneous administration of HEM and HeS to rats during short-term CPZ intoxication preserved OLs and myelin. Moreover, HeS administration not only suppressed demyelination and gliosis, but also alleviated anxiety and depression in acute and chronic CPZ-fed mice. This study provides compelling evidence supporting HeS as a promising small active compound to protect OLs and preserve myelin in demyelinating diseases associated with mood disorders.

Conclusion

Co-treatment with HEM and HeS as well as delayed HeS treatment showed potential in attenuating gliosis and protecting OLs in the corpus callosum from chemically induced acute demyelination. Moreover, delayed HeS treatment effectively alleviated the anxious and depressive behaviors induced by CPZ exposure, indicating the promising effects of HEM-derived compound HeS on myelin repair and reduction of mood abnormalities.

Effects of supplementation with Hericium erinaceus enriched with Hericium erinaceus A on cognitive function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study

Abstract

The aging population has led to an increased interest in various dietary supplements to preserve cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Hericium erinaceus (HE) supplementation on cognitive function and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in rats. An 8-week double-blind comparative study involving 33 subjects was randomized into HE and placebo groups. Anthropometric measurements and analysis of selected biochemical parameters were performed before and after the intervention. Meanwhile, stool samples were collected and gut microbiota and chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1) levels were determined. Cognitive function was assessed by two nonverbal speed tests. In the HE group, significant improvements in cognitive ability were observed when considering the corresponding baseline cognitive scores, CHI3L1 levels, age, and sex. In addition, gut microbiota diversity was significantly increased in the HE group, which was positively correlated with NPY levels. This mechanism helps explain the results of the relationship between HE active ingredients and cognitive parameters, indicating that CHI3L1 activity may improve the bioavailability of bioactive ingredients. Dietary supplementation with HE is considered to be a safe and well-tolerated intervention with neurocognitive benefits.

Conclusion

With the increase in the elderly population, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which cognitive aging can be prevented, alleviated, or treated. These findings help understand the multiple effects of HE supplementation and provide insights into its potential preventive role in cognitive health. This study also attempted to find the relationship between the active ingredients of HE and cognitive parameters, indicating that CHI3L1 activity may be the mechanism for the higher bioavailability of active ingredients in mushrooms. The observed improvements in cognitive function and changes in circulating BDNF levels support the neurotropic and neuroprotective effects of bioactive metabolites present in HE. However, to further support these effects, it will be important to investigate their potential neuroprotective mechanisms, gene expression and proteins, and effects on neuroplasticity. The limitations addressed will be considered and mitigated when preparing future study designs.