Discovering the Potentials of Medicinal Mushrooms in Combating Depression - A Review.

Discovering the Potentials of Medicinal Mushrooms in Combating Depression - A Review. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2020 May 26;: Authors: Lew SY, Teoh SL, Lim SH, Lim LW, Wong KH Abstract Depression is the most common form of mental illness and the major cause of disability worldwide. Symptoms of depression including feelings of intense sadness and hopelessness may occur after a specific event or in response to a gradual decline in health and functional status, often associated with ageing. Current therapies for treating these symptoms include antidepressant drugs, counseling and behavioral therapy. However, antidepressant drugs are associated with mild to severe adverse effects, which has prompted the need for better treatment options. Medicinal mushrooms are valuable sources of food and medicine and are increasingly being used as supplements or as alternative medicines in standard healthcare. Numerous studies have provided insights into the neuroprotective effects of medicinal mushrooms, which is attributed to their antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, cholinesterase inhibitory and neuroprotective properties. In this review, we comprehensively examine the role of these medicinal mushrooms in the treatment of depression. However, to apply these natural products in clinical settings, the therapeutic agent needs to be properly evaluated, including the active ingredients, presence of synergistic effects, efficient extraction methods and stabiliz...
Source: Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry - Category: Chemistry Authors: Tags: Mini Rev Med Chem Source Type: research