Rationalization of Mushroom-Based Preventive and Therapeutic Approaches to COVID-19: Review

Abstract

Since December 2019, a de novo pattern of pneumonia, later named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused grave upset throughout the global population. COVID-19 is associated with several comorbidities; thus, preventive and therapeutic strategies targeting those comorbidities along with the causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), seem imperative. In this state-of-the-art review, edible and medicinal mushrooms are featured in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 pathomanifestations, and comorbid issues. Because this is not an original research article, we admit our shortcomings in inferences. Yet we are hopeful that mushroom-based therapeutic approaches can be used to achieve a COVID-free world. Among various mushroom species, reishi or lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) seem most suitable as anti-COVID agents for the global population.

Health promoting properties and functions of medicinal and culinary mushrooms for the COVID-19 era. An appraisal: does the “anti” mantra stack up?

“…Presentation of the disease can range from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe illness with potentially life-threatening complications or fatal outcomes [10]. Moreover, while most people who contract COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover, at increased risk are the elderly, male gender, and people with comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and poor nutritional status [7,13,14].…”

“…The optimal immune response in humans involves both activation and inhibition in a coordinated and balanced way. However, interference with, and aberration of, the immune response and associated hyperinflammation is a defining characteristic of COVID-19 pathogenesis [13,15]. Stimulation and recruitment of proinflammatory cytokines trigger an influx of immune cells in a highly organised cellular and molecular cascade, causing alterations of the circulatory system through endothelial cell interactions and damage to vascular barrier, capillaries and organs [13,14] anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects [17].…”

“…However, interference with, and aberration of, the immune response and associated hyperinflammation is a defining characteristic of COVID-19 pathogenesis [13,15]. Stimulation and recruitment of proinflammatory cytokines trigger an influx of immune cells in a highly organised cellular and molecular cascade, causing alterations of the circulatory system through endothelial cell interactions and damage to vascular barrier, capillaries and organs [13,14] anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects [17]. β-glucans (D fraction) deserve special attention as they highly illustrate MMs' therapeutic potential and the variabilities that need consideration for application.…”

“…For example, particulate β-glucans are known to directly stimulate immune cell activation through a dectin-1 pathway, while soluble βglucans require complement receptor-3 dependent pathway activation. Several authors have described the concept of trained immunity [13,33,35] as being a modified and epigenetic innate immune response capable of producing antibody-free memory to a secondary heterologous stimulus that is more robust.…”

“…adsorption, replication, nucleic acid synthesis, and disrupt other pathogens[3,6,13]. As viral proteases are involved in viral replication, MMs may have therapeutic utility[13].…”