New Dawn of Edible and Medicinal Fungi Unlocking Central Nervous System Diseases

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Central nervous system (CNS) diseases present unique clinical challenges characterized by insidious symptom onset, complex pathophysiology with incomplete mechanistic understanding, and substantial difficulties in therapeutic evaluation, thereby these inherent complexities create substantial obstacles for developing effective CNS diseases management strategies. Certain edible and medicinal fungi contain bioactive components, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, alkaloids, and so on, which have therapeutic promise for CNS diseases. This paper reviews the current research advancements regarding the use of edible and medicinal fungi in the context of CNS diseases, highlighting their advantages as prospective therapeutic options and potential roles in both prevention and treatment. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing studies, the mechanisms and applications of these fungi are elucidated, providing valuable insights for the development of novel pharmaceuticals or functional foods aimed at combating CNS diseases.