Medicinal Mushrooms Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

18 July 2024

Medicinal Mushrooms Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Scientists believe that several factors, such as heredity, gender, stress, and harmful habits, usually simultaneously influence the development of RA. However, the main factor is a malfunctioning immune system, which causes the body to produce antibodies that attack and damage the joints, cartilage, and bones.

For many centuries, mushrooms have been used not only as a source of nutrients but also as alternative treatment methods for various ailments. Today, medicinal mushrooms have become popular natural remedies for reducing acute and chronic inflammation, pain, and discomfort associated with RA.

Medicinal mushrooms contain a range of bioactive compounds that act on various biochemical pathways, providing a comprehensive approach to reducing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The main active compounds are:

Polysaccharides are among the most important compounds in medicinal mushrooms. They stimulate the immune system, regulate cytokine production, reducing inflammation. Polysaccharides also have antioxidant properties that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Triterpenes have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes involved in inflammatory processes, helping to reduce inflammation and joint pain.
Phenols, including flavonoids, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They neutralize free radicals and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).
Sterols, such as ergosterol, have antioxidant properties and help reduce inflammation. They can also increase vitamin D levels in the body, which is important for bone and joint health.
Beta-glucans stimulate the immune system, enhancing its ability to fight infections and reduce inflammation. They also improve the function of macrophages and other immune cells.
Muscimol and ibotenic acid have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. They help reduce pain and inflammation by affecting the central nervous system.
Phytonutrients, such as betulinic acid and other natural compounds, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They help protect cells from damage and reduce joint inflammation.

These compounds act synergistically, enhancing each other's effects, providing a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect that helps alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. They reduce inflammation, protect cells from damage, and improve the overall health of patients.

In this publication, we will consider six types of mushrooms that have proven themselves well in treating inflammatory diseases and pain suppression according to research results:

Cordyceps militaris contains cordycepin, polysaccharides, mannitol, adenosine, ergosterol, sterols, nucleosides, phenolic compounds, peptides, sterines, vitamins, and minerals. It has anti-inflammatory properties: reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, helping to reduce joint inflammation; antioxidant properties: protects cells from damage caused by free radicals, contributing to overall health improvement; immunomodulatory properties: regulates the immune response, preventing excessive inflammation, characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) contains erinacines and hericenones, polysaccharides, phenols, triterpenes, β-glucans, antioxidants, adenosine, ergosterol, phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals. It has neuroprotective properties: supports the health of the nervous system, which can be useful in neuropathic pain associated with RA; anti-inflammatory properties: reduces the level of inflammatory markers in the body, contributing to a decrease in joint inflammation; immunomodulatory properties: enhances the immune response to infections, helping the body better fight inflammation. Scientific studies have also proven that Lion's Mane restores peripheral nerves damaged by arthritis.
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) contains polysaccharides, β-glucans, lentinan, lentinoin, ergosterol, eritadenine, phospholipids, phenolic compounds, selenium, vitamins, and minerals. It has anti-inflammatory properties: lentinan reduces inflammation in the body and improves joint condition; antioxidant properties: the high content of vitamins and minerals promotes overall health; immunomodulatory properties: supports the immune system, helping to fight infections and reducing inflammation.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) contains betulin, betulinic acid, pterin, lanosterol, inosine, polysaccharides, melanin, flavonoids, superoxide dismutase, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, triterpenes, proteins, and minerals. It has anti-inflammatory properties: reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, improving the condition in RA; antioxidant properties: the high content of betulinic acid and other antioxidants protects cells from damage; immunomodulatory properties: regulates the immune response, helping the body to fight inflammation more effectively.
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) contains polysaccharides, β-glucans, polysaccharide-K, xylose, galactose, mannose, glycoproteins, ergosterols, triterpenoids, flavonoids. It has anti-inflammatory properties: reduces the level of inflammatory cytokines, helping to decrease joint inflammation; antioxidant properties: protects cells from damage caused by free radicals; immunomodulatory properties: enhances the immune response, helping the body to fight infections more effectively.
Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) contains muscimol, ibotenic acid, muscazone, muscarine, polysaccharides, β-carbolines. It has anti-inflammatory properties: reduces inflammation and pain, improving the condition in RA; immunomodulatory properties: regulates the immune response, helping to reduce excessive inflammation.

All these mushrooms share powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals and being indispensable immune boosters. Consuming medicinal mushrooms can help reduce inflammation, lower pain, and improve overall well-being in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as prevent its complications at early stages.

Relieve yourself from pain and discomfort, returning to a quality life!

You can always purchase medicinal mushrooms in our store.

In this publication, materials from scientific research were used:

Noh, E.-M., Kim, J.-S., Hur, H., Park, B.-H., Song, E.-K., Han, M.-K., Lee, Y.-R. (2008). Cordycepin inhibits IL-1 -induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts. Rheumatology, 48(1), 45–48.

Han Shin-Yun, Kim Jong-Han, Cho Sun-Hi, Yeon Sin-Si, Kim Hong-Kuk. The effect of Hericium erinaceus (lion's mane mushroom) on pain and inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutritional Research, 2018

Baptista, F.; Campos, J.; Costa-Silva, V.; Pinto, A.R.; Saavedra, M.J.; Ferreira, L.M.; Rodrigues, M.; Barros, A.N. Nutraceutical Potential of Lentinula edodes’ Spent Mushroom Substrate: A Comprehensive Study on Phenolic Composition, Antioxi-dant Activity, and Antibacterial Effects. J. Fungi 2023, 9, 1200.

Park, Y.-M., Won, J.-H., Kim, Y.-H., Choi, J.-W., Park, H.-J., & Lee, K.-T. (2005). In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the methanol extract of Inonotus obliquus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 101(1-3), 120–128.

Bains, A., & Chawla, P. (2020). In vitro bioactivity, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory efficacy of modified solvent evaporation assisted Trametes versicolor extract. 3 Biotech, 10(9).

Wagner A, Pehar M, Yan Z and Kulka M (2023), Amanita muscaria extract potentiates production of proinflammatory cytokines by dsRNA-activated human microglia. Front. Pharmacol. 14:1102465.

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