HERICIUM ERINACEUS (Lion’s Mane)

Natural Food for Neurons

Hericium erinaceus, also known as lion’s mane mushroom, is a highly valued edible and medicinal fungus that grows on the wood of fallen trees, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, East Asia, and North America). Its unusual appearance has inspired admirers to give it a variety of descriptive names: lion’s mane, monkey head, white beard… In Japan, it is known as Yamabushitake, and in China as Shishigashira (“lion’s head”) and Houtou (“monkey head”).

Traditional Use

Due to its favorable amino acid profile, this mushroom species has a high biological value compared to other edible mushrooms (e.g., champignons, oysters, and shiitake), making it a quality source of protein in vegetarian diets. In traditional Eastern medicine, it has been highly valued and is often described as “natural food for neurons.”

Main Bioactive Compounds

Active components of lion’s mane include:

• Mushroom polysaccharides, mainly beta-glucans, among which HEP3 stands out as a pharmacologically interesting β-(1→3)-D-glucan.

• Phytosterols, primarily beta-sitosterol and ergosterol.

• Erinacines and hericenones: in experimental and in vitro models, these compounds stimulate the biosynthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) and influence catecholamine levels in the central nervous system (Kenmoku et al., 2002; Shimbo et al., 2005; Mori et al., 2008; Kawagishi et al., 2011). NGF plays a key role in neuronal survival, differentiation, and functional integrity. Due to these properties, Hericium erinaceus is frequently studied in the context of neurodegenerative processes and nerve tissue regeneration (Kolotushkina et al., 2003; Mori et al., 2009).

• Essential minerals and trace elements (Zn, Fe, Se, Ge, etc.), niacin, biotin, vitamin D, and various polypeptides.

Modern Research

Over the past decades, numerous studies have investigated the immunomodulatory effects of H. erinaceus polysaccharides and their influence in experimental models of tumor diseases (Liu et al., 2000; Lee & Hong, 2010; Khan et al., 2013).

In laboratory settings, antimicrobial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have also been reported (Kawagishi, 2005).

Additionally, research suggests protective effects on the gastric mucosa. Both clinical and experimental studies have examined the use of Hericium erinaceus extracts in chronic gastritis and inflammation associated with Helicobacter pylori infection (Xu et al., 1985; Yu et al., 1999; Abdulla et al., 2009).

Clinical Study on GOBA® Hericium erinaceus K

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, using GOBA® Hericium erinaceus K. The results demonstrated:

• Improved cognitive functions in healthy adults aged 55–75 who received GOBA® Hericium erinaceus K,

• Increased levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a marker associated with neuroplasticity and neuronal health,

• Greater gut microbiome diversity, positively correlated with levels of NPY (neuropeptide Y),

• The use of GOBA® Hericium erinaceus K was safe and did not cause adverse effects.

References for Further Reading

• Kenmoku, H., Shimai, T., Toyomasu, T., Kato, N., Sassa, T. (2002). Erinacine Q, a new erinacine from Hericium erinaceum, and its biosynthetic route to erinacine C in the basidiomycete. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 66(3), 571–575.

• Shimbo, M., Kawagishi, H., Yokogoshi, H. (2005). Erinacine A increases catecholamine and nerve growth factor content in the central nervous system of rats. Nutrition Research, 25, 617–623.

• Mori, K., Obara, Y., Hirota, M., Azumi, Y., Kinugasa, S., Inatomi, S., Nakahata, N. (2008). Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biol. Pharm. Bull., 31(9), 1727–1732.

• Kawagishi, H., Simada, A., Shizuki, K., Ojima, F., Mori, H., Okamoto, K., Sakamoto, H., Furukawa, S. (2011). Erinacine D, a stimulator of NGF-synthesis, from the mycelia of Hericium erinaceum. Heterocyclic Communications, 2(1), 51–54.

• Kolotushkina, E.V., Moldavan, M.G., Voronin, K.Y., Skibo, G.G. (2003). The influence of Hericium erinaceus extract on myelination process in vitro. Fiziol. Zh., 49(1), 38–45.

• 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. Phytother. Res., 23(3), 367–372.

• Liu, C., Gao, P., Qian, J., Yan, W. (2000). Immunological study on the antitumor effects of fungus polysaccharides compounds. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu, 29, 178–180.

• Lee, J.S., Hong, E.K. (2010). Hericium erinaceus enhances doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Cancer Lett., 297, 144–154.

• Khan, A., Tania, M., Liu, R., Rahman, M.M. (2013). Hericium erinaceus: an edible mushroom with medicinal values. J. Complement. Integr. Med., 10(1), 1–6.

• Kawagishi, H. (2005). Anti-MRSA compounds of Hericium erinaceus. Int. J. Med. Mushr., 7(3), 350.

• Xu, C.P., Liu, W.W., Liu, F.X., Chen, S.S., Liao, F.Q., Xu, Z., Jiang, L.G., Wang, C.A., Lu, X.H. (1985). A double-blind study of effectiveness of Hericium erinaceus Pers therapy on chronic atrophic gastritis: a preliminary report. Chin. Med. J., 98(6), 455–456.

• Yu, C.G., Xu, Z.M., Zhu, Q.K. (1999). Cytoprotective effects of Hericium erinaceus on gastric mucosa in rats. Chinese J. Gastroenterol., 1999–2002.

• Abdulla, M.A., Noor, S.M., Sabaratnam, V., Abdullah, N., Wong, K.H., Ali, H.M. (2009). Effect of culinary-medicinal Lion’s mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers., on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Int. J. Med. Mushr., 11(3), 325.

• Effect of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognition: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 115, 2024. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624001221