Medicinal mushrooms: a review of bioactive compounds, pharmacological mechanisms and the translational roadmap to clinical therapeutics

Emmanuel Okoro Enyi, Obiageri Florence Ajah

Abstract


Mushrooms, traditionally revered and increasingly recognized for their sustainable production, represent an underexplored pharmacopoeia. Despite a rich ethnopharmacological legacy and burgeoning preclinical evidence supporting efficacy against diverse pathologies—including cancer, immunodeficiency, and metabolic disorders, their translation into mainstream clinical therapeutics remains notably constrained. This review paper critically synthesizes current knowledge on mushroom-derived bioactive, encompassing key classes such as polysaccharides, terpenoids, and phenolics, and elucidates their molecular mechanisms underpinning potent immunomodulatory, anticancer, antiviral, and metabolic-regulating effects. The significant therapeutic capabilities of mushrooms are not only delineated in this paper but also the critical evaluation of the translational pipeline, identification of the pivotal challenges in standardization, quality control, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and regulatory frameworks are also projected. The analysis underscores the urgent need for targeted research and robust development strategies to bridge the gap between traditional use, preclinical evidence, and clinical validation, thereby unlocking the vast pharmaceutical potential of mushrooms for novel, sustainable therapeutic systems.

 

Received: 27 June 2025

Accepted: 02 August 2025

Published: 24 August 2025


Keywords


Mushroom-derived compounds; Immunodulation; Pharmacological properties; Therapeutic applications; Clinical translation; Regulatory frameworks

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References


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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/AMPDR.2025.05.2.1437

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Copyright (c) 2025 Emmanuel Okoro Enyi, Obiageri Florence Ajah

Advances in Medical, Pharmaceutical and Dental Research

E-ISSN: 2812-4898

P-ISSN: 2812-488X

 

Published by:

Academy Publishing Center (APC)

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Alexandria, Egypt

ampdr@aast.edu