A team of researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia has discovered active compounds found in a type of mushroom that promote nerve development and improve memory.
Professor Frederick Meunier, from the Queensland Brain Institute, said the team identified new active compounds from the lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), which were shown to help improve brain cell development and memory in preclinical trials.
The study was published in Journal of Neurochemistry Website wrote about it York Alert.
brain cell growth
Prof. Monnier explained, “Preclinical tests found that the lion’s mane mushroom had a significant effect on brain cell growth and memory improvement. Laboratory tests measured the neurotrophic effects of the active compounds extracted from the mushroom on cultured brain cells. Surprisingly, we found that these compounds Active neurons promote the expansion of neuronal dendrites and their connection to other neurons.
“Using super-resolution microscopy, we found that the mushroom extract and its active constituents significantly increase the size of neuronal growth cones, which are particularly important for brain cells to sense their environment and make new connections with other neurons in the brain.”
Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol, a co-investigator from the University of Queensland, said the discovery has applications that could treat and protect against neurodegenerative cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Improve memory configuration
“Our idea was to identify bioactive compounds from natural sources that can get into the brain and regulate the development of neurons, leading to improved memory formation,” Marmol added.
lion’s mane mushroom
According to ScienceDirect), the edible lion’s mane mushroom has been known in Japan, China and Korea since ancient times and has been used to treat diseases and improve memory in folk medicine there.
This mushroom contains many compounds that have biological effects such as polysaccharides, proteins and volatile compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects as well as antioxidant compounds.
