Role of Medicinal Mushroom Lentinula edodes in Nutrition, Nutraceutics and Ethnopharmacology
Zeemal Seemab Amin *
School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Minhaj University Lahore, Pakistan.
Saba Abbas
School of Medical Lab Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Minhaj University Lahore, Pakistan.
Arooj Munir
Faculty of Basic Sciences, Associate Government College for Women Lahore, Pakistan.
Mian Mubeen Ali Qadri
School of Medical Lab Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Minhaj University Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Raza
Diagnostic Laboratory, Iqra Hospital Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Danish
Diagnostic Laboratory, Iqra Hospital Lahore, Pakistan.
Sabir Khan
Technical Officer at TTI Testing Laboratories, Lahore, Pakistan.
Beshray Hafey
School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Minhaj University Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Kamran Hanif
Institute of Physical Therapy, University of Lahore, Pakistan.
Hafiz Kashif
School of Medical Lab Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Minhaj University Lahore, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom) is the medicinal macro-fungus popular in Japan and China. It is the second most well- known edible fungus in the global market after Agaricus bisporus Because of presence of dietary fibers, vitamins, proteins, minerals and carbohydrates, shiitake mushroom have significant nutritional worth. It is commonly cultivated in winter season and known as “elixir of life”. Bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, amino acid derivatives, sterols, glycoproteins, chitin and sulfurous compounds are all extracted from shiitake mushrooms. Some of these are lentinans, eritadenine and KS-2-α- mannan peptide etc. Shiitake mushroom is used therapeutically to cure cancers, cardiovascular disorders, viral and fungal infections, hepatitis, hypertension and hepatic disorders. Shiitake mushroom have also grown in popularity as a result of their unusual and well-liked flavor.
Keywords: Lentinula edode, agaricus bisporus, KS-2-α- mannan peptide