Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes both motor and non-motor symptoms. Although treatments like levodopa help manage symptoms, no therapy currently exists to slow or stop disease progression. Recently, medicinal mushrooms have gained attention as potential neuroprotective agents due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Their complex chemistry and wide range of biological activities make them promising broad-spectrum therapeutics. Species such as Sarcodon, Cyathus, Hericium, Antrodia, Ganoderma, and Pleurotus have been used in traditional medicine. They are now being studied for their potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. Key species like Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, and Agaricus blazei show promise in reducing oxidative stress by lowering reactive oxygen species and activating cellular defense pathways, protecting mitochondrial function, and suppressing neuroinflammation by modulating immune responses. They also influence antiapoptotic signaling and support dopaminergic neurotransmission, which is crucial for Parkinson’s disease management. Separately, psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin have drawn attention for their potential to enhance neuroplasticity and modulate neural networks, which might contribute to long-term therapeutic benefits in neurodegenerative conditions. This chapter explores the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of medicinal mushrooms in Parkinson’s disease, highlighting emerging research and the need for further investigation.

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Therapeutic Potential of the Medicinal Mushroom in Parkinson’s Disease

  • Sepehr Khosravi,
  • Helia Alizadeh,
  • Anahita Tarki

摘要

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes both motor and non-motor symptoms. Although treatments like levodopa help manage symptoms, no therapy currently exists to slow or stop disease progression. Recently, medicinal mushrooms have gained attention as potential neuroprotective agents due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Their complex chemistry and wide range of biological activities make them promising broad-spectrum therapeutics. Species such as Sarcodon, Cyathus, Hericium, Antrodia, Ganoderma, and Pleurotus have been used in traditional medicine. They are now being studied for their potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. Key species like Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, and Agaricus blazei show promise in reducing oxidative stress by lowering reactive oxygen species and activating cellular defense pathways, protecting mitochondrial function, and suppressing neuroinflammation by modulating immune responses. They also influence antiapoptotic signaling and support dopaminergic neurotransmission, which is crucial for Parkinson’s disease management. Separately, psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin have drawn attention for their potential to enhance neuroplasticity and modulate neural networks, which might contribute to long-term therapeutic benefits in neurodegenerative conditions. This chapter explores the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of medicinal mushrooms in Parkinson’s disease, highlighting emerging research and the need for further investigation.