Guwahati: Mushroom-derived bioactive compounds have the potential to combat COVID-19 and other viral infections. A research group led by Professor Ashis K Mukherjee, Director, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, assessed the roles and mechanisms of 13 different mushroom-derived bioactive compounds in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and the pathophysiology associated with its infection, such as lung infection, inflammation, cytokine storm, and thrombotic and cardiovascular effects.
Their study said that mushrooms contain bioactive polysaccharides and compounds with immunomodulating, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and other medicinal properties. The natural anti-infective, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic products derived from a wide range of easily sourced mushrooms and their bioactive molecules have the potential to combat COVID-19 and mushroom-based drugs are being tested in human trials, with promising results against SARS-CoV-2.
The IASST research team, which also included Dr Aparup Patra, Dr M. R. Khan, Dr Sagar R. Barge and Paran Baruah, carried out an analysis of the current therapies against COVID-19 versus the potential of natural anti-infective, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic products derived from a wide range of easily sourced mushrooms and their bioactive molecules.
The study published in the Journal of Fungi suggests that there were huge opportunities for a better understanding of the role of mushroom-derived bioactive compounds through in-depth pre-clinical and clinical studies. In this regard coordination between researchers, health professionals, and policymakers was warranted.
Mushrooms are a popular source of food and North-East India is home to diverse groups of edible mushrooms. The main advantages of using edible mushrooms against viral infections are- they can be used as a nutraceutical supplement with no side effects and can act as an immunity booster.
This increasing popularity of mushrooms led researchers from IASST, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to critically analyse the importance of edible mushrooms and natural compounds from mushrooms to attenuate the complications against COVID-19 and other viral infections.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the focus on bioactive ingredients that boost the immune system. Consequently, scientists worldwide resumed intensive studies on bioactive compounds that can boost the immune system to protect against SARS-CoV-2 and limit the accelerated transmission of this virus. Consequently, bioactive compounds from herbal sources and edible mushrooms gained commercial interest due to their easy availability, high antioxidant activity, nutritional value, and low side effects.
– global bihari bureau
