Mushroom Bioactives: Traditional Resources with Nutraceutical Importance

Mushrooms are widely recognized for their significant contributions to human well-being, earning their status as functional foods due to their rich nutritional and therapeutic attributes. These fungi encompass diverse natural constituents, including polysaccharides, glycoproteins, phenolic compounds, and proteins, all exhibiting immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, prebiotic, and antimicrobial properties. In recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, mushroom and associated secondary metabolites have garnered increased recognition for their efficacy in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. The pandemic has increased a shift in people’s dietary preferences, aligning them more closely with healthier food options and nutritional supplements. Various mushroom species, including Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma species, Pleurotus species, and diverse wild mushrooms, known for their bioactive molecules, notably polysaccharides and proteins, have demonstrated immunomodulatory characteristics through their precise interactions with cellular receptors. Furthermore, ongoing research endeavors are focused on the targeted delivery of bioactive compounds derived from mushrooms, which are responsible for inhibiting cancerous cell growth and enhancing the phenomenon of apoptosis. This research direction is driven by increasing environmental and biological stress, which creates harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS play a pivotal role in disrupting critical mitochondrial signaling pathways, including MAPKs, caspase 3, caspase 9, and others. Numerous components from specific mushroom varieties hold the potential to rectify these pathological conditions and reinstate cellular homeostasis. In summary, the book chapter provides facts about the potential beneficial effect of mushroom extracts and their active compounds and sheds light on the underlying targeted studies in the sector of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.