Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) Mushroom Laboratory, part of the Plant Pathology department, maintains that edible mushroom varieties, Oyster and Shiitake have properties which could reduce lipids, control cholesterol and anti-tumour activity. Further it moots research to enable drug development to be carried out by the Indian bio-pharma scientists using these edible mushrooms.
Going by the rich contents of polysaccharides with beta-glucan, high protein and fibre, life sciences researchers in India could look at the drug development opportunities using the mushrooms, Dr Meera Pandey, principal scientist, Mushroom Laboratory (Plant Pathology), Indian Institute of Horticultural Research told Pharmabiz.
These two varieties have been part of the daily diet in many countries of the West and Asian region. In fact, extensive research and clinical trials are carried out proving the medicinal properties, she added.
According to IIHR which is only engaged in the technology development for cultivation of mushrooms, the convenience to cultivate and good health promoting features of the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus needs to be capitalized by Indian medicinal or modern drug researchers.
Oyster mushroom in 100 grams dry weight contains 10-30 per cent protein, 60-80 per cent total carbohydrate, 7.5 per cent crude fibre, 4.2 per cent lipids and 1.7-2 per cent total fat and can give 80-360 Kcal of energy. The dried mushroom is rich in vitamin B1, B2, B5, B6 and B7. The main fatty acid is oleic acid and the saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratio is 14:86. Among the minerals are calcium, copper, iron, Magnesium, Manganese, phosphorus, potassium, Selenium, sodium and zinc, stated Dr Pandey.
Providing details on the various laboratory studies on the medicinal properties of oyster mushrooms conducted globally, Dr Pandey stated that in Japan that fresh oyster mushroom showed anti-tumour activity against sarcoma 180 in mice. Other studies have shown 95 per cent tumour inhibition could occur from doses of 5mg/kg. Studies conducted by feeding dry mushroom powder to hamsters showed that serum VLDL decreased by 65-80 per cent and serum lipids levels decreased by 40 per cent. Polysaccharides isolated from oyster mushroom stimulated the immune system to fight the abnormal cells and protect against the damaging effects of chemo and radiation therapy.
Daily consumption of Oyster mushroom can be a natural way of lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and is an excellent blood builder. In 2006, The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) under National Institute of Health, USA conducted phase III clinical trial using oyster mushroom in HIV infections to evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy to treat hyper-lipidemia in HIV-infected patients taking Kaletra, a Protease Inhibitor (PI) used in Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART). The results are awaited.
Chinese traditional medicine uses Oyster mushroom for joint and muscle relaxation. “Therefore, going by these studies, Indian medical researchers should look at promising drug development pathways,” pointed out Dr Pandey.
Shiitake mushroom, the second most consumed globally that accounts for 25 per cent of the world mushroom market, also contains protein. It is also a good source of niacin, thiamine and riboflavin. The over 150 published research paper of shiitake mushroom has proven that polysaccharide extracted is an approved anticancer drug in Japan. Clinical trials have shown its immunopotentiating, anti viral activities, immunity booster, reducing serum cholesterol levels, anti-aging agent, said Dr Pandey.
IIHR’s plant pathology department which has a dedicated mushroom lab is now aggressively promoting mushroom cultivation nationally. Department of Bio-technology and the Department of Science &Technology for economical cultivation have provided grants to fund these initiatives, Dr Pandey added.