Chaga Research
28 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7/10
Medicinal Mushrooms in Colon Cancer Therapy: Mechanisms of Action of Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Potential
Bentharavithana J et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2025)
Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and confirm the safety and efficacy of medicinal mushrooms as a holistic anti-colon cancer treatment.
- Therefore, there is a strong demand for innovative, affordable, and minimally invasive treatments such as medicinal mushrooms.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and confirm the safety and efficacy of medicinal mushrooms as a holistic anti-colon cancer treatment.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Mushrooms and Their Bioactive Ingredients as Natural Resources for Development of Innovative Skin Care Formulations and Products
Janardhanan KK et al. • International journal of medicinal mushrooms (2026)
This review outlines the importance of mushrooms and their bioactive ingredients for development of skin care formulations and products in the multibillion-dollar cosmetic industry.
- Mushroom based cosmetic products have substantial world market especially in USA, China, UK, Korea and Japan.
- Mushroom cosmetic market presents promising opportunities for expansion because of the growing demands of aging solutions.
- Global demand is predicted to reach nearly 3.9 billion USD by 2032.
Neuroprotection in the age of emerging infections: The untapped power of medicinal mushrooms
Buttacavoli M et al. • Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie (2026)
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- This review explores for the first time the complex interplay between infections and neurological disorders, highlighting the potential of mushrooms not only as functional foods but also as complementary allies in safeguarding brain health.Copyright © 2026 The Authors.
- Published by Elsevier Masson SAS..
- All rights reserved.
Macrofungal Extracts as a Source of Bioactive Compounds for Cosmetical Anti-Aging Therapy: A Comprehensive Review
Paterska M et al. • Nutrients (2024)
According to available literature data, macrofungi contain many polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, polysaccharide peptides, free amino acids, sterols, proteins, glycosides, triterpenes, alkaloids, which can have an anti-aging effect on the skin by acting as antioxidants, photoprotective, skin whitening, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and stabilizing collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid levels in the skin.
- To slow down this process, natural anti-aging skincare ingredients are being sought.
- In this review, 52 scientific publications about the effects of chemical compounds extracted from the fruiting bodies of macrofungi on skin cells were selected.
- The effects of extracts from nine species that are tested for anti-aging effects have been described.
Effects and mechanisms of natural products on Alzheimer's disease
Yang Z et al. • Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2023)
This review mainly summarizes the effects of some natural products and their bioactive compounds on AD with the potential molecular mechanisms.
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in elderly people with a high incidence rate and complicated pathogenesis, and causes progressive cognitive deficit and memory impairment.
- This review mainly summarizes the effects of some natural products and their bioactive compounds on AD with the potential molecular mechanisms.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production-A Review
Łysakowska P et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)
This review focuses on the properties of selected medicinal mushrooms and their effects on the human organism and presents current knowledge on the possibilities of their use in the production of functional foods.
- Detailed mechanisms of the effects of medicinal mushrooms on the human organism still require long-term clinical studies to confirm their nutraceutical effects, their safety of use, and their dosage.
- Medicinal mushrooms have great potential to be used in the design of innovative functional foods.
- There is a need for further research on the possibility of incorporating mushrooms into food products to assess the interactions of their bioactive substances with ingredients in the food matrix.
Fungi as a source of bioactive molecules for the development of longevity medicines
Shevchuk Y et al. • Ageing research reviews (2023)
All rights reserved.
- Maitake or hen-of-the-woods), the genus Pleurotus (e.g. oyster mushrooms), and Agaricus subrufescens (i.e. the almond mushroom).
- We propose that further research on fungal extracts will provide a greater picture of the role fungi-derived bioactive molecules can have in developing longevity and neuroprotective medicines for humans.Copyright © 2023 The Authors.
- Published by Elsevier B.V.
Structural diversity, fermentation production, bioactivities and applications of triterpenoids from several common medicinal fungi: Recent advances and future perspectives
Zhao P et al. • Fitoterapia (2023)
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- This review article describes the structure, fermentation production, biological activities, and application of triterpenoids from the medicinal fungi including Ganoderma lucidum, Poria cocos, Antrodia camphorata, Inonotus obliquus, Phellinus linteus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Laetiporus sulphureus.
- Besides, the research perspectives of triterpenoids from medicinal fungi are also proposed.
- This paper provides useful guidance and reference for further research on medicinal fungi triterpenoids.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V.
Deciphering the antitumoral potential of the bioactive metabolites from medicinal mushroom Inonotus obliquus
Zhao Y et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2021)
I. obliquus possesses the potential to reduce incidence of tumorigenesis in healthy people.
- I. obliquus possesses the potential to reduce incidence of tumorigenesis in healthy people.
- Published in Journal of ethnopharmacology (2021)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Inonotus obliquus (Chaga Mushroom): A Systematic Review of Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Potential
Aron E et al. • Heliyon (2022)
Chaga mushroom demonstrates potent antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-tumor activities primarily through betulinic acid and polysaccharides.
- ORAC antioxidant values among the highest of any natural food source
- Beta-glucans and betulinic acid are primary immunomodulatory compounds
- Anti-tumor activity demonstrated in vitro and in animal models
The Antiviral, Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Natural Medicinal Herbs and Mushrooms and SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Shahzad F et al. • Nutrients (2020)
In this review, we have evaluated the most effective herbs and mushrooms, in terms of the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects which have been assessed in laboratory conditions.
- Thus, the possibilities of natural substances as effective treatments against COVID-19 may seem promising.
- One of the potential candidates against the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be Inonotus obliquus (IO), also known as chaga mushroom.
- IO commonly grows in Asia, Europe and North America and is widely used as a raw material in various medical conditions.
The pharmacological potential and possible molecular mechanisms of action of Inonotus obliquus from preclinical studies
Duru KC et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2019)
The possible role of this mushroom as a therapeutic agent in addressing the pathogenesis of diabetes and cancer has also been suggested.© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Chemical analysis of this mushroom has allowed the identification of various constituents such as melanins, phenolic compounds, and lanostane-type triterpenoids.
- A plethora of findings have highlighted the potential molecular mechanisms of actions of this mushroom such as its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species, inhibit the growth of tumors, decrease inflammation and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, and stimulate the immune system.
- The possible role of this mushroom as a therapeutic agent in addressing the pathogenesis of diabetes and cancer has also been suggested.© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Practical Application of "About Herbs" Website: Herbs and Dietary Supplement Use in Oncology Settings
Hou YN et al. • Cancer journal (Sudbury, Mass.) (2019)
It is important to familiarize health care professionals about popular supplements, so patients can be informed to make decisions that maximize benefits and minimize risks.
- The 10 most searched-for herbs/supplements of 2018 are chaga mushroom, turmeric, ashwagandha, reishi mushroom, graviola, Active Hexose-Correlated Compound, boswellia, dandelion, green tea, and Coriolus versicolor.
- Here we discuss their safety, herb-drug interactions, and appropriate uses in the oncology setting, based on literature searches in PubMed.
- Over the past 16 years, the evidence for use of these supplements is based mostly on preclinical findings, with few well-designed studies and limited trials conducted in cancer patients.
The role of primary infection of Schwann cells in the aetiology of infective inflammatory neuropathies
Neal JW et al. • The Journal of infection (2016)
All rights reserved.
- M. leprae demonstrates multi receptor SC tropism and subsequent infection promotes nuclear reprogramming and dedifferentiation of host SC into progenitor stem like cells (pSLC) that are vulnerable to M. leprae infection.
- These two novel pathogen evasion strategies, involving stem cells and receptor mimicry, provide potential therapeutic targets relevant to the prevention of peripheral nerve inflammation by inhibiting primary SC infection.Copyright © 2016 The British Infection Association.
- Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Review on Chaga Medicinal Mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (Higher Basidiomycetes): Realm of Medicinal Applications and Approaches on Estimating its Resource Potential
Balandaykin ME et al. • International journal of medicinal mushrooms (2015)
A new form, I. obliquus f. sterilis, is formally described.
- This paper presents a review of the realm of medicinal applications of Inonotus obliquus raw materials, sterile conks I. obliquus, based on the bibliographies of chemical studies of the fungus.
- The experimental part of the paper is devoted to the presentation of methods of estimating the resource potential of this fungus based on data obtained in the comfort zone of ththis species.
- A new form, I. obliquus f. sterilis, is formally described.
Medicinal plants of the Russian Pharmacopoeia; their history and applications
Shikov AN et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2014)
The review highlights the therapeutic potential of these Russian phytopharmaceuticals but also highlights cases where concern has been raised about product safety and tolerability, which would aid in supporting their safe use.
- The review highlights the therapeutic potential of these Russian phytopharmaceuticals but also highlights cases where concern has been raised about product safety and tolerability, which would aid in supporting their safe use.
- Published in Journal of ethnopharmacology (2014)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Progress on understanding the anticancer mechanisms of medicinal mushroom: inonotus obliquus
Song FQ et al. • Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP (2013)
In this review, we highlight recent findings regarding mechanisms underlying the anticancer influence of I. obliquus, to provide a comprehensive landscape view of the actions of this mushroom in preventing cancer.
- Some compounds extracted from I. obliquus arrest cancer cells in the G0/G1 phase and then induce cell apoptosis or differentiation, whereas some examples directly participate in the cell apoptosis pathway.
- In other cases, polysaccharides from I. obliquus can indirectly be involved in anticancer processes mainly via stimulating the immune system.
- Furthermore, the antioxidative ability of I. obliquus extracts can prevent generation of cancer cells.
A review of QSAR studies to discover new drug-like compounds actives against leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis
Castillo-Garit JA et al. • Current topics in medicinal chemistry (2012)
However, more efforts will be required in the future to develop more selective (specific) useful drugs.
- Each topic include the general characteristics, epidemiology and chemotherapy of the disease as well as the main QSAR approaches to discovery/identification of new actives compounds for the corresponding neglected disease.
- The last section is devoted to a new approach know as multi-target QSAR models developed for antiparasitic drugs specifically those actives against trypanosomatid parasites.
- At present, as a result of these QSAR studies several promising compounds, active against these parasites, are been indentify.
Inonotus obliquus Polysaccharides: Preparation, Structural Characteristics, Structure-Activity Relationships, Biological Activities and Applications
Zhang S et al. • Nutrients (2026)
It aims to provide valuable theoretical references for the further development and practical application of IOPs in the fields of medicine and functional foods.
- These polysaccharides exhibit diverse biological activities, including gut microbiota-modulating, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, antitumor, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and antiviral activities.
- Based on the latest advances in the research on IOPs, this review summarizes its isolation and purification methods, structural characteristics, structure-activity relationships, biological properties and mechanisms, as well as their potential applications.
- It aims to provide valuable theoretical references for the further development and practical application of IOPs in the fields of medicine and functional foods.
Chemical diversity of biologically active metabolites in the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus and submerged culture strategies for up-regulating their production
Zheng W et al. • Applied microbiology and biotechnology (2010)
This review examines the current progress in the discovery of chemical diversity of Chaga and their biological activities and the strategies to modulate the expression of desired pathways to diversify and up-regulate the production of bioactive metabolites by the fungus grown in submerged cultures for possible drug discovery.
- Among these are the active components for antioxidant, antitumoral, and antiviral activities and for improving human immunity against infection of pathogenic microbes.
- Geographically, however, this fungus is restricted to very cold habitats and grows very slowly, suggesting that Chaga is not a reliable source of these bioactive compounds.
- Attempts for culturing this fungus axenically all resulted in a reduced production of bioactive metabolites.