Medicinal mushrooms in adjuvant cancer therapies: an approach to anticancer effects and presumed mechanisms of action

Mushrooms have been used for centuries as a source of nourishment and sensory properties. Mushrooms are considered functional foods due to their bioactive compounds and a source of drug and nutraceutical development. More than 50 species present immunological potential that exhibit anticancer activity in vitro or in animal models, and some of them have been investigated in human cancers. Cancer is a major cause of death all over the world, promoting long lasting effects throughout the lifetime of the patient. Mushrooms are a source of ergothioneine, selenium, fiber, and several other vitamins and minerals. They have bioactive compounds used in cancer treatment due to their antitumor and anticarcinogenic effects. They containß-glucans,ß-proteoglycans, lectins, triterpenes, ergosterol, glutamine, and arginine. In the present study, we perform a literature review of studies that analyze positive impacts of mushroom compounds on cancer treatment due to their antitumor and anticarcinogenic effects and possible compatibility with chemotherapy management. The review indicates that a healthy diet with frequent consumption of mushrooms apparently reduces the risk of developing cancer. However, a clearer understanding of how mushrooms' bioactive principles may affect adjuvant treatments requires further research with long-term double-blind and placebo-controlled studies that evaluate a larger population in clinical trials by each type of cancer. There fore, more robust statistical results are necessary to verify their efficacy and safety on cancer treatments

Metal uptake by mycelia during submerged growth and by sporocarps of an edible fungus Volvariella volvacea.

Uptake of a few metals by V. volvacea was determined during submerged growth of the organism in sublethal concentration of each metal salt. The uptake of Pb2+ and Hg2+ was 5 and 5.23 micrograms g-1 respectively while that of Cu2+ was 500 micrograms g-1 under experimental conditions. Treatment of spawned substrate separately with different metal salts showed maximum and minimum uptake of Pb2+ (100 micrograms g-1) and Cd2+ (2.93 micrograms g-1) respectively by sporocarps. All metal salts at test concentrations reduced biological efficiency of sporocarp production but markedly by Co2+. Cd2+ and Co2+ were highly toxic to mycelia and sporocarps respectively. The uptake of Cu2+ by mycelia and Pb2+ by sporocarps were highest among the five metals tested. Metal toxicity, tolerance and uptake capacity of V. volvacea differ considerably with concentration of metal ions.