Abstract
Mushrooms are considered as nutritionally functional foods and source of physiologically beneficial medicines. Recent evidence demonstrates that edoble mushrooms may play an important role in the prevention of many age-associated neurological dysfunctions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Hericium erinaceus is an edible mushroom, which has a long history of usage in traditional Chinese medicine. This mushroom is rich in some physiologically important components, especially beta-glucan polysaccharides, which are responsible for anti-cancer, immuno-modulating, hypolipidemic, antioxidant and neuro-protective activities of this mushroom.
This review article has overviewed the recent advances in the research and study on H. erinaceus and discussed the potential health beneficial activities of this mushroom, with the recognition of bioactive compounds responsible for these medicinal properties.