Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has garnered significant attention in recent years for its potential health benefits, particularly in the realms of gastric health and cancer prevention. This literature review synthesizes current research findings on the protective effects of Lion’s Mane against stomach ulcers and its anticancer properties.
Understanding Stomach Cancer:
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, develops in the lining of the stomach. It typically starts in the mucosal layer and can spread to other layers and nearby tissues over time. This cancer is often asymptomatic in the early stages, making it challenging to detect early. When symptoms do occur, they may include persistent indigestion, stomach pain, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
Several risk factors contribute to stomach cancer, such as chronic inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, smoking, a diet high in salted, smoked, or pickled foods, and a family history of the disease. Some genetic conditions, like hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, also increase the risk.
Treatment for stomach cancer depends on the cancer’s stage and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes, but stomach cancer often goes undiagnosed until it is in more advanced stages, when treatment becomes more complex.
Preventing stomach cancer involves making dietary changes that support gastric health and reduce risk factors. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help lower the risk by providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that protect against cellular damage. Limiting the intake of processed and smoked foods, red meat, and foods high in salt is also crucial, as these can increase the likelihood of developing stomach cancer. Incorporating functional foods like Lion’s Mane mushroom may offer additional benefits, as it contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that support stomach health.
Research on the application of lion’s mane mushroom in protecting the stomach and preventing cancer
- Protection Against Stomach Ulcers
- A Potential Therapeutic Agent for Stomach Ulcers
Research indicates that Lion’s Mane mushroom possesses bioactive compounds that may contribute to gastric health. Specifically, the fruiting bodies of H. erinaceus have been traditionally used in East Asian medicine to treat gastric ulcers and chronic gastritis. The mushroom’s polysaccharides and other constituents are believed to exert protective effects on the gastric mucosa, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. For instance, studies have shown that extracts from Lion’s Mane can inhibit the proliferation of gastric ulcer cells, suggesting a direct therapeutic effect (Li et al., 2017; Khan et al., 2013). Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of Lion’s Mane may play a crucial role in mitigating oxidative stress, which is a contributing factor in ulcer formation (Friedman, 2015).
The presence of compounds such as hericenones and erinacines in Lion’s Mane has been linked to enhanced nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, which is vital for the maintenance and regeneration of gastric mucosal cells. This regenerative capability is particularly relevant in the context of ulcer healing, as it may facilitate the repair of damaged tissues in the gastrointestinal tract (David, 2023). Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of Lion’s Mane can help reduce the inflammatory response associated with gastric ulcers, further supporting its use as a dietary supplement for gastrointestinal health (Friedman, 2015; Khan et al., 2013)
- Antibacterial Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom
H. pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric epithelium and is a major contributor to various gastric disorders, including gastritis and peptic ulcers. Recent studies have indicated that extracts from Lion’s Mane mushroom exhibit significant antibacterial activity against H. pylori. For instance, a study by Darmasiwi et al. demonstrated that H. erinaceus mycelium has the capability to inhibit the growth of H. pylori, along with other pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antimicrobial properties of Lion’s Mane are attributed to its rich composition of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides and phenolic compounds, which have been shown to disrupt bacterial cell membranes and inhibit bacterial proliferation (Darmasiwi et al., 2022).
Additionally, the study by Okoro et al. emphasizes the role of probiotics in suppressing H. pylori growth, suggesting that while probiotics alone may not completely eradicate H. pylori, they can significantly reduce its population (Okoro et al., 2023). This finding aligns with the notion that Lion’s Mane, when used as a dietary supplement, may enhance the efficacy of probiotics by providing a synergistic effect against H. pylori. The combined action of Lion’s Mane and probiotics could potentially offer a novel approach to managing H. pylori-related gastric conditions..
- Cancer Prevention
In terms of cancer prevention, Lion’s Mane mushroom has shown promising results in various studies. The mushroom’s extracts have been reported to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, particularly in leukemia and colon cancer models. For example, a study demonstrated that Lion’s Mane extracts could inhibit the metastasis of cancer cells to the lungs in mice, highlighting its potential as an antineoplastic agent. The mechanisms underlying these effects include the modulation of cell signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, which are enzymes that facilitate cancer cell invasion (Kim et al., 2013; Kim et al., 2011).
Moreover, the presence of β-glucans and other polysaccharides in Lion’s Mane has been associated with immunomodulatory effects, enhancing the body’s ability to combat cancerous cells. These compounds may stimulate the immune system, promoting the activity of natural killer cells and macrophages, which are crucial for identifying and destroying malignant cells (Banerjee, 2024; Khan et al., 2013). Additionally, the antioxidant properties of Lion’s Mane contribute to its anticancer effects by reducing oxidative stress, which is known to play a role in cancer development (Friedman, 2015; Li et al., 2017).
Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) presents a multifaceted approach to health, particularly in the prevention of stomach ulcers and cancer. Its bioactive compounds not only support gastric health through mucosal protection and regeneration but also exhibit significant anticancer properties by inducing apoptosis and enhancing immune responses. Future research should continue to explore these therapeutic potentials, particularly through clinical trials to validate the efficacy of Lion’s Mane in human populations.
References:
- Darmasiwi, S., Aramsirirujiwet, Y., & Kimkong, I. (2022). Biological activities and chemical profile of hericium erinaceus mycelium cultivated on mixed red and white jasmine rice. Food Science and Technology, 42. https://doi.org/10.1590/fst.08022
- Li, W., Lee, S., Jang, H., Yeul, J., & Kim, Y. (2017). Antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic activities of aromatic compounds and sterols from hericium erinaceum. Molecules, 22(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22010108
- Okoro, C., Obeten, S., John, G., & Lennox, J. (2023). Inhibitory effect of lactic acid bacteria on helicobacter pylori in vitro. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.21161/mjm.220030
- Banerjee, S. (2024). Unlocking the potential of lion’s mane mushroom (hericium erinaceus). Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 16(1), 39-50. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v16i1.5224
- David, G. (2023). Lion’s mane mushroom- from culinary to medicine. AIM, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.59652/aim.v1i2.55
- Friedman, M. (2015). Chemistry, nutrition, and health-promoting properties of hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane) mushroom fruiting bodies and mycelia and their bioactive compounds. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(32), 7108-7123. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914
- Khan, M., Tania, M., Li, R., & Rahman, M. (2013). Hericium erinaceus: an edible mushroom with medicinal values. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2013-0001
- Kim, S., Kang, M., Choi, Y., Kim, J., Nam, S., & Friedman, M. (2011). Mechanism of hericium erinaceus (yamabushitake) mushroom-induced apoptosis of u937 human monocytic leukemia cells. Food & Function, 2(6), 348. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1fo10030k
- Kim, S., Nam, S., & Friedman, M. (2013). Hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane) mushroom extracts inhibit metastasis of cancer cells to the lung in ct-26 colon cancer-tansplanted mice. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 61(20), 4898-4904. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf400916c
- Li, W., Lee, S., Jang, H., Yeul, J., & Kim, Y. (2017). Antioxidant and anti-osteoporotic activities of aromatic compounds and sterols from hericium erinaceum. Molecules, 22(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22010108