Natural medicine: lions mane

Isle of Wight mushroom farm, https://www.iwmushrooms.co.uk/
Lions main, Hericium erinaceus

Long history of usage in traditional Chinese medicine

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/8/1307

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34169530/

Lots of bioactive compounds, polysaccharides (notably β-glucans), terpenoids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, and peptides, bioactive proteins

Diverse health-promoting properties.

Functional food / mushroom, nutraceutical

Safer and more sustainable health solutions

Nutritional perspective

Mushrooms, proteins, fibre, vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and D precursors), selenium, zinc, and potassium

Low-calorie: high nutrient density ratio

Prebiotic fibers, gut health, growth of beneficial microbiota, contributing to improved digestion and immune function

Peripheral neuronal regeneration

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23510212/

Functional recovery following crush injury to the peroneal nerve in rats

Stimulated regrowth of motor endplates/neuromuscular junction

More rapid improvement in motor function

PNS mechanisms

Activation of genes in dorsal root ganglia neurons (cell bodies of sensory neurones)

Activates genes to produce neurotrophins

Neurotrophic factors, Nerve Growth Factor

These promote cell survival and stimulate nerve fibre growth

Promote protein synthesis in damaged neurones

Central nervous system maintenance and regeneration

Preventing and managing neurodegenerative diseases

Preclinical studies, improvements in ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease,

Depression and anxiety

Enhancing cognitive function

https://restorativemedicine.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/lions-mane.pdf

CNS mechanisms

Can cross the blood brain barrier

https://verybigbrain.com/nootropics/brain-cell-regeneration-the-remarkable-effects-of-lions-mane-mushroom/

Neurotrophic factors, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Nerve Growth Factor

AD and PD, where oxidative stress plays a central role

Scavenging reactive oxygen species and inducing endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD)

Terpenoids

Hericenones, A to L

Fruiting body

Stimulates NGR, and mimics NGF (mimetic)

Cognitive enhancement and memory improvement

Increases nerve cell growth, fibre formation, new connection formation in hippocampus

Erinacenes, A to Z2

Mycelium

Erinacine A, shown to increase nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in the brain, promoting neurogenesis and neuronal survival

Stimulates NGF and is a brain anti-inflammatory

Reducing neuroinflammation and systemic inflammation

Suppressing glial cell inflammatory activation

(Excessive microglial activation is a known problem in AD,

oxidative stress accelerates neuronal damage)

Potent neuroprotective effects

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunological effects

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are underlying factors in a wide range of diseases,

Including cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, neurodegenerative illnesses, and cancer

Conventional treatments rely on synthetic drugs,  significant side effects and long-term health risks

Neutralize ROS and reduce oxidative stress in neuronal cells

Downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β),

while upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Reduced prostaglandin synthesis (COX 2 inhibitor)

Immunomodulatory

Restoring gut microbiota, reducing systemic inflammation

Extract significantly increased SOD, CAT, and GPx levels, protecting liver cells from oxidative damage

Antimicrobial activities

Antibiotic effect

Inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis

Bacteriostatic

Bactericidal

Rise in antibiotic-resistant pathogens, overuse, disuse, MRSA, MDRTB - significant threat to public health

Several studies suggest that its bioactive compounds may act synergistically with conventional antibiotics, improving antimicrobial activity

All extracts displayed antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, novel mechanisms of action,

Potential applications in combating antibiotic-resistant infections.

Active against MRSA

Antibiotic mechanisms

Prevents biofilm formation

Phenolic compounds, have been shown to interfere with bacterial and fungal cell membranes

Gram-positive bacteria, which have a thick peptidoglycan layer that is more susceptible to membrane-targeting agents

Inhibit key bacterial enzymes involved in cell wall synthesis, DNA replication, and energy metabolism

Safety of lions mane use

Generally recognized as safe (GRAS)

Allergies

Anticoagulants, antiplatelet

Idiosyncratic interactions possible but unlikely