Edible Mushrooms Substances as Natural Prevention in Autoimmunological Diseases

Edible mushrooms have been among the foods present in the human diet for centuries. They were valued for their taste and nutritional potential, but also for their health-promoting properties. Several edible mushroom activities have been proven which predominantly comprise of antioxidant, immunostimulant, antimicrobial, antiatherosclerotic or anti-inflammatory effects. Despite numerous reports on the therapeutic importance of mushrooms, it has long been recognized that their low dietary and therapeutic potential is lacking, so a comprehensive analysis of the content of substances with health-promoting activity, with a particular focus on their potential bioavailability and actual importance to the human body, is essential. Mushroom fruiting bodies are a source of primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, and biologically active bioelements that are important for the proper functioning of the human body. Reports in recent years indicate that edible mushroom extracts show activity, particularly against immunological diseases. Knowledge of the physiology of the immune system is constantly evolving—understanding the detailed mechanisms of the immune response enables the development of increasingly effective and safer drugs. One of the directions of new drug development is the pharmacotherapy of chronic inflammation, which is often associated with autoimmune diseases. A proper diet and supplementation based on edible mushroom-based products can be the crucial factors in preventing and treating this type of disorder.