Mushroom extracts seem to exert an action on brain function. In order to objectify such an effect changes of the electric activity of the brain have been successfully used in earlier experiments in the presence of diverse food extracts.
Changes of field potentials recorded from implanted electrodes into the depth of the brain of rats served to analyse the action of plant-derived extracts in comparison to food supplements and reference drugs. Frequency analysis of the data and feeding of the results into discriminant analysis allowed indication dependent classification of the effects. The present investigation aimed at the neuro-physiological characterization of the effect of a preparation of Hericium erinaceus in this model.
The presently tested mycological preparation “MRL’s Hericium erinaceus hyphal powder” induced a pattern of frequency changes consisting in a statistically significant attenuation of delta, theta, alpha2 and beta1 spectral power, but not alpha1 power in all brain regions during the first 2 hours after administration. The lack of alpha1 spectral power attenuation in combination with attenuation of delta, theta and alpha2 power is shared by some other preparations tested earlier under identical conditions like Zembrin®, Acetylsalicylic acid, Methylphenidate, Taxifolin and Ginkgo extract. From this, calming, analgesic, antidepressive and cognition enhancing properties might be deduced for the tested mushroom biomass. However, due to the fact, that only one dosage was tested, interpretation of the results is limited. As active ingredients recently discovered erinacines from Hericium ericaneus mycelia might be considered, which show up in the brain as early as 30 min after oral administration.
The Hericium erinaceus used in this clinical study was supplied by Mycology Research Laboratories Ltd.
Clinical Articles
The following section outlines the clinical papers, posters and proposals that refer to the clinical use of MRL mushroom nutrition products. This information is for healthcare practitioners only and should not be provided to members of the general public.
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Clinical articles
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Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Bioactive Compounds from Mushroom Biomass Following in vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion presented at the CIPCA 2025 X International Conference on Food Proteins and Collides June 16-18, 2025 in Porto Portugal.
Helena Araújo-Rodrigues, Manuela Machado, João B. Relvas , Freni K. Tavaria, Manuela Pintado -
Neuroprotective Effects of Mushroom Biomass: Impact of Serum-Available and Gut Microbiota Metabolites in Caenorhabditis elegans Models of Alzheimer’s Disease. Presented on June 13th at the XXIII EURO FOODCHEM 2025 Conference in Bratislava, Slovakia
Helena Araújo-Rodrigues,Lidia Garzón-García, João B. Relvas, Freni K. Tavaria, Celestino Santos-Buelga, Ana M. González-Paramás, and Manuela E. Pintado -
Chemical Composition of Trametes versicolor, Hericium erinaceus, and Pleurotus ostreatus Mushroom Biomass: Deciphering their Rich α-glucan Composition and Nutritional Value
Helena Araújo-Rodrigues, Manuela Amorim, Clara Sousa, Ana Sofia Salsinha, Sara Marçal, Victor de Freitas, Joao Bettencourt Relvas, Freni K. Tavaria,Manuela E. Pintado. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 143 (2025) 107612. -
Supporting Neurologic Health with Mushroom Nutrition
Victoria Bell, Palmen Dimitrov and Tito Fernandes