R Vidhyalakshmi*, Praseeda Padmanabhan, Charmaine Antionette Shu and Fathima Munavar Ahamed Basheer

Department of Microbiology, Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science, Adyar, Chennai-28, Tamil Nadu, India

*Corresponding Author: R Vidhyalakshmi, Department of Microbiology, Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science, Adyar, Chennai-28, Tamil Nadu, India.

Received: May 12, 2025; Published: May 30, 2025

Abstract

The Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has garnered increasing scientific attention due to its potential health-promoting properties, notably its rich profile of bioactive compounds and its ability to stimulate probiotic growth. This study explores the chemical composition and biological activity of extracts derived from H. erinaceus using aqueous, ethanolic, and mixed solvent systems. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 15 bioactive compounds across the extracts. Notably, the aqueous extract demonstrated the highest capacity to stimulate the growth of Lactobacillus sps, highlighting its potential as a stimulatory agent for promoting the growth of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus sps. Linoleic acid (LA), a common omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has been identified in the lipid profile of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane mushroom) extracts, contributing to the mushroom’s pharmacological properties. Although LA is not exclusive to Lion’s Mane, its presence is well-documented and is known to play a role in modulating cellular functions such as membrane fluidity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Recent molecular docking studies revealed that LA exhibits a favourable binding affinity toward cathepsin D, a lysosomal aspartic protease implicated in tumour progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis in several cancers. The observed binding interactions suggest potential inhibitory effects, particularly if LA engages key residues within the catalytic domain of cathepsin D. This characteristic could offer relief to chapped nipples and also a wide range of inflammatory conditions, hinting at its potential for future pharmaceutical applications. Docking studies on linoleic acid and cathepsin D protein revealed promising therapeutic interactions, supported by a favourable dock score of -6.06 and the observation of a hydrogen bond between the ligand and protein. Additionally, the mushroom extracts displayed significant anti-inflammatory properties, as demonstrated by an albumin denaturation assay, with the highest percentage inhibition recorded at 63.09%This research underscores the diverse potential of Lion's Mane mushroom, spanning from probiotic growth stimulation to anti-inflammatory, thereby contributing valuable insights to the understanding of this remarkable fungus used in traditional foods in many countries.

Keywords: Lion's Mane Mushroom; Probiotic Stimulants; Cathepsin D; Bioactive Compounds

References

1. “Mushrooms: Nutritional and medicinal properties (Modern trends in microbial biodiversity of natural ecosystem)”. (2012).
2. Wasser SP. “Medicinal mushroom science: Current perspectives, advances, evidences, and challenges”. Biomedical Journal6 (2014): 345-356.
3. Wabang T and Ajungla T. “Edible, medicinal, and red-listed monkey head mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. from Japfu mountain of Kohima needs immediate protection”. Current Botany 7 (2016): 33-35.
4. Tachabenjarong N., et al. “Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) from different growth periods”. E3S Web of Conferences 355 (2022): 0201.
5. Shu and Hu H H. “Bioconversion of agro wastes for the cultivation of the culinary-medicinal Lion’s Mane mushrooms Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. and H. laciniatum (Leers) Banker (Aphyllophoromycetideae) in Taiwan”. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms4 (2008): 385-398.
6. Gerbec B., et al. “Solid state cultivation of Hericium erinaceus biomass and erinacine: A production”. Journal of Bioprocessing and Biotechnology 5 (2015): 1-5.
7. Figlas D., et al. “Cultivation of culinary-medicinal Lion’s Mane mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) on substrate containing sunflower seed hulls”. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms1 (2007): 67-73.
8. Bacha S A S., et al. “Lion’s mane mushroom; new addition to food and natural bounty for human wellness: A review”. International Journal of Biosciences4 (2018): 396-402.
9. Fogarasi M., et al. “Comparison of different extraction solvents for characterization of antioxidant potential and polyphenolic composition in Boletus edulis and Cantharellus cibarius mushrooms from Romania”. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) 24 (2021): 7508.
10. Wang J C., et al. “Hypoglycemic effect of extract of Hericium erinaceus”. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 85 (2005): 641-646.
11. Nowak R., et al. “The preliminary study of prebiotic potential of Polish wild mushroom polysaccharides: The stimulation effect on Lactobacillus strains growth”. European Journal of Nutrition4 (2018): 1511-1521.
12. Dávila GLR., et al. “Probiotic growth-stimulating capacity and antimicrobial activities of aqueous extracts of Lentinus crinitus (L.) Fr (polyporales, basidiomycota)”. Heliyon8 (2023): e18738.
13. Patel S and Goyal A. “Functional oligosaccharides: Production, properties, and applications”. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology5 (2011): 1119-1128.
14. Liu X., et al. “A study on preparation of sandwich biscuits with hedgehog fungus and therapeutic approach for nutritional anemia of preschool children”. Acta Nutrim Sin 14 (1992): 109-111.
15. Imtiaj A., et al. “Vegetative growth of four strains of Hericium erinaceus collected from different habitats”. Mycobiology2 (2008): 88-92.
16. Qin DW., et al. “Medicinal mushroom for prevention of disease of modern civilization”. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM (2015): 1-2.
17. Wong JY., et al. “Gastroprotective effects of Lion’s Mane mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) extract against ethanol-induced ulcer in rats”. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM (2013): 492976.
18. Crawford K., et al. “Acrylamide content of experimental flatbreads prepared from potato, quinoa, and wheat flours with added fruit and vegetable peels and mushroom powders”. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)7 (2019): 228.

Citation

Citation: R Vidhyalakshmi. “Role of Hericium erinaceus as a Probiotic Stimulant".Acta Scientific Microbiology 8.6 (2025): 53-61.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 R Vidhyalakshmi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.