Ameliorating effect of the edible mushroom hericium erinaceus on depressive-like behavior in ovariectomized rats
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2022
Abstract
Estrogen deficiency during menopause causes a variety of neurological symptoms, including depression. The edible Lion's Mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (HE), is a medicinal mushroom that has the potential for a neuroprotective effect and ameliorating neurological diseases, such as depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases. HE contains phytoestrogens, including daidzein and genistein. However, the ameliorating effect of HE on menopausal symptoms is not well understood. Here we investigated the impact of methanol extract of the HE fruiting body on depressive-like behavior in postmenopausal model rats. The activation of estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) causes body weight loss and uterine weight gain. Body weight gain and uterine weight loss by estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized (OVX) rats were reversed with 17 beta-estradiol (E2) but not with HE. Thus, the phytoestrogens in HE may hardly activate ER alpha. Estrogen receptor beta (ER beta) is expressed in the brain, and activation of ER beta ameliorates menopausal depressive symptoms. Notably, depressive-like behavior in OVX rats evaluated in forced swim test was reduced by administration of not only E2 but also HE for 92 d. Long-term activation of ER alpha increases the risk of breast and uterine cancers. HE, therefore, may be effective in treating menopausal depression without the risk of carcinogenesis caused by ER alpha activation.
Keywords
Hericium erinaceus, Depression, Menopause, Phytoestrogen, Ovariectomy, Rat
Divisions
InstituteofBiologicalSciences
Funders
Japan Society for Menopause and Women's Health under the JMWH Bayer Grant,Asia-Oceania Collaborative Research Grants under The Kanae Foundation for the Promotion of Medical Science,Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT) Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) [Grant No: 21H03183,Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT) Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) [Grant No: 20K21721]
Publication Title
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
Volume
45
Issue
10
Publisher
Pharmaceutical Soc Japan
Publisher Location
2-12-15 SHIBUYA, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO, 150-0002, JAPAN