It’s been estimated that there are between 2.2 and 3.8 million species of fungi worldwide. Of this number 2,000 species are considered edible, with over 200 species of edible mushrooms also being medicinal (Łysakowska, et al., 2023). Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s mane) mushroom is both a culinary and medicinal mushroom. It typically grows on trunks of dead hardwood trees and has beautiful, distinctive, long, white, hanging spines that resemble a lion’s mane. It is a saprophytic organism, feeding on dead organic material, breaking this down into simple substances that can then be recycled by plants. It is delicious as a culinary mushroom and has a long list of health benefits.
The fruiting bodies and mycelium of H. erinaceus contain two main categories of bioactive substances. The first category includes ß-glucans that strengthen the body’s immune system. The second category contains erinacines and hericenones which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-cancer, and blood sugar and lipid lowering effects. Both erinacines and hericenones can cross the blood-brain barrier where they have neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. Erinacines stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in the brain, possess antibiotic properties, and stimulate the κ opioid receptor (which plays a role in modulating dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate release in the central nervous system). Hericenones also stimulate NGF synthesis as well as demonstrate a protective effect against neuronal apoptosis that occurs in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Ergothioneine is another compound present in the fruiting bodies and mycelium of H. erinaceus that has antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. Plants and animals are unable to synthesize ergothioneine so it must be obtained by consuming mushrooms. This compound shows promise in the treatment of not only neurodegenerative diseases, but also cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and pre-eclampsia. (Szućko-Kociuba et al., 2023).
A gradual decline in physical and cognitive function typically occurs with aging. Interestingly loss of locomotor function is predictive of cognitive impairment. Roda et al. (2023) studied the effect of standardized extracts of H. erinaceus on locomotor frailty and cerebellar volume of aged mice. Seven frailest mice of a group of fifteen were supplemented for two months with a H. erinaceus drink that was the equivalent of oral supplementation in humans of approximately 1 gram per day. The frail mice were then compared against the healthy mice to determine if the frailty could be reversed. Locomotor performance, assessed by measuring mean speed and resting time, improved in the treated mice. The treated mice also had increased cerebellar size, a significant decrease in inflammation (as measured by IL6 activity) and a significant increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. VEGF is a substance that stimulates new blood vessel formation and plays a neurogenic, neurotrophic and neuroprotective role in the nervous system, particularly in the cerebellum. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1), Nitric Oxide Synthase 2 (NOS2) and Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). A significant decrease in SOD1, NOS2 and COX2 were noted in the treated mice. The expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), an enzyme that is strongly anti-inflammatory and which regulates longevity, was increased in the treated mice. These findings confirmed the role of H. erinaceus in promoting brain and nerve health by inducing NGF synthesis, reducing inflammation, and minimizing the oxidative stress associated with brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders.
For those looking to add H. erinaceus to their diet, quality is very important. Organically grown mushrooms are best, and supplements that are third party tested to ensure their authenticity, purity and potency are preferred. Vendors should be able to supply a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) documenting the results of this testing. H. erinaceus is usually very well tolerated and without side effects. The typical dose is 1 to 3 mg daily. Liquid extracts, loose or encapsulated powders, and gummy forms are available. Long-term supplementation will likely be necessary to notice physiological benefits. Grozier et al. (2022) conducted a study of twenty-four healthy college-age students to examine the effects of ingesting 10 grams per day of a H. erinaceus supplement for four weeks on markers of metabolic flexibility and cognitive function. Their results showed no indication that H. erinaceus supplementation improved either of these markers. Mori et al. (2008) conducted a study of 30 Japanese men and women aged 50 to 80 years old who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment to determine if administration of H. erinaceus could improve their cognitive function. The subjects were randomized into two groups, and the participants in the treatment group were administered 250 mg tablets three times a day for 16 weeks. The group receiving H. erinaceus showed significantly improved cognitive function scale scores at weeks 8, 12 and 16 of the trial. The results of these two trials suggest that it may take several weeks or even months for the full benefits of H. erinaceus to be realized.
REFERENCES
Grozier, C. D., Alves, V. A., Killen, L. G., Simpson, J. D., O’Neal, E. K., & Waldman, H. S. (2022). Four Weeks of Hericium erinaceus Supplementation Does Not Impact Markers of Metabolic Flexibility or Cognition. International journal of exercise science, 15(2), 1366–1380.
Łysakowska, P., Sobota, A., & Wirkijowska, A. (2023). Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production-A Review. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 28(14), 5393. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145393
Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 23(3), 367–372. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2634
Roda, E., Priori, E. C., Ratto, D., De Luca, F., Di Iorio, C., Angelone, P., Locatelli, C. A., Desiderio, A., Goppa, L., Savino, E., Bottone, M. G., & Rossi, P. (2021). Neuroprotective Metabolites of Hericium erinaceus Promote Neuro-Healthy Aging. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(12), 6379. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126379
Szućko-Kociuba, I., Trzeciak-Ryczek, A., Kupnicka, P., & Chlubek, D. (2023). Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective Effects of Hericium erinaceus. International journal of molecular sciences, 24(21), 15960. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115960