Hericium erinaceus<\/em><\/strong>, also known as lion\u2019s mane<\/strong> mushroom, is a highly valued edible and medicinal fungus<\/strong> 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\u2019s mane, monkey head, white beard\u2026 In Japan, it is known as Yamabushitake<\/em>, and in China as Shishigashira<\/em> (\u201clion\u2019s head\u201d) and Houtou<\/em> (\u201cmonkey head\u201d).<\/p>\n 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 \u201cnatural food for neurons.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Active components of lion\u2019s mane include:<\/p>\n Mushroom polysaccharides<\/strong>, mainly beta-glucans, among which HEP3 stands out as a pharmacologically interesting \u03b2-(1\u21923)-D-glucan.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Phytosterols<\/strong>, primarily beta-sitosterol and ergosterol.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Erinacines and hericenones<\/strong>: in experimental and in vitro models, these compounds stimulate the biosynthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF<\/strong>) 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<\/em> is frequently studied in the context of neurodegenerative processes and nerve tissue regeneration (Kolotushkina et al., 2003; Mori et al., 2009).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Essential minerals and trace elements<\/strong> (Zn, Fe, Se, Ge, etc.), niacin, biotin, vitamin D, and various polypeptides.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Over the past decades, numerous studies have investigated the immunomodulatory effects of H. erinaceus<\/em> polysaccharides and their influence in experimental models of tumor diseases (Liu et al., 2000; Lee & Hong, 2010; Khan et al., 2013).<\/p>\n In laboratory settings, antimicrobial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus<\/em> (MRSA) have also been reported (Kawagishi, 2005).<\/p>\n Additionally, research suggests protective effects on the gastric mucosa. Both clinical and experimental studies have examined the use of Hericium erinaceus<\/em> extracts in chronic gastritis and inflammation associated with Helicobacter pylori<\/em> infection (Xu et al., 1985; Yu et al., 1999; Abdulla et al., 2009).<\/p>\n A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, using GOBA\u00ae Hericium erinaceus<\/em> K. The results demonstrated:<\/p>\n Improved cognitive functions<\/strong> in healthy adults aged 55\u201375 who received GOBA\u00ae Hericium erinaceus<\/em> K,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Increased levels of BDNF<\/strong> (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a marker associated with neuroplasticity and neuronal health<\/strong>,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Greater gut microbiome diversity<\/strong>, positively correlated with levels of NPY (neuropeptide Y),<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The use of GOBA\u00ae Hericium erinaceus K was safe and did not cause adverse effects.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n 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.<\/em> Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 66(3), 571\u2013575.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Shimbo, M., Kawagishi, H., Yokogoshi, H. (2005). Erinacine A increases catecholamine and nerve growth factor content in the central nervous system of rats.<\/em> Nutrition Research, 25, 617\u2013623.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 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.<\/em> Biol. Pharm. Bull., 31(9), 1727\u20131732.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 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.<\/em> Heterocyclic Communications, 2(1), 51\u201354.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Kolotushkina, E.V., Moldavan, M.G., Voronin, K.Y., Skibo, G.G. (2003). The influence of Hericium erinaceus extract on myelination process in vitro.<\/em> Fiziol. Zh., 49(1), 38\u201345.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 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.<\/em> Phytother. Res., 23(3), 367\u2013372.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Liu, C., Gao, P., Qian, J., Yan, W. (2000). Immunological study on the antitumor effects of fungus polysaccharides compounds.<\/em> Wei Sheng Yan Jiu, 29, 178\u2013180.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Lee, J.S., Hong, E.K. (2010). Hericium erinaceus enhances doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.<\/em> Cancer Lett., 297, 144\u2013154.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Khan, A., Tania, M., Liu, R., Rahman, M.M. (2013). Hericium erinaceus: an edible mushroom with medicinal values.<\/em> J. Complement. Integr. Med., 10(1), 1\u20136.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Kawagishi, H. (2005). Anti-MRSA compounds of Hericium erinaceus.<\/em> Int. J. Med. Mushr., 7(3), 350.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 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.<\/em> Chin. Med. J., 98(6), 455\u2013456.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Yu, C.G., Xu, Z.M., Zhu, Q.K. (1999). Cytoprotective effects of Hericium erinaceus on gastric mucosa in rats.<\/em> Chinese J. Gastroenterol., 1999\u20132002.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Abdulla, M.A., Noor, S.M., Sabaratnam, V., Abdullah, N., Wong, K.H., Ali, H.M. (2009). Effect of culinary-medicinal Lion\u2019s mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers., on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats.<\/em> Int. J. Med. Mushr., 11(3), 325.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Effect of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognition: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.<\/em> Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 115, 2024. https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1756464624001221<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Natural Food for Neurons Hericium erinaceus, also known as lion\u2019s 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\u2019s mane, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":7705,"template":"","class_list":["post-7708","medicinal-mushrooms","type-medicinal-mushrooms","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goba.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/medicinal-mushrooms\/7708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goba.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/medicinal-mushrooms"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goba.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/medicinal-mushrooms"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/goba.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/medicinal-mushrooms\/7708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11008,"href":"https:\/\/goba.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/medicinal-mushrooms\/7708\/revisions\/11008"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goba.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goba.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Traditional Use<\/h2>\n
Main Bioactive Compounds<\/h2>\n
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Modern Research<\/h2>\n
Clinical Study on GOBA\u00ae Hericium erinaceus K<\/h2>\n
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References for Further Reading<\/h2>\n
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