Medicinal mushrooms and their use to strengthen respiratory health during and post-COVID-19 pandemic
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Abstract
COVID-19 infection has been a key threat to the public health system globally, with an estimated 248 mil-lion cases worldwide. COVID-19 patients are subject to a higher risk of developing chronic respiratory disorders that are closely associated with long-term disability, multi-morbidity, and premature mortality. Although there have been recent advancements in respiratory treatment regimens, there has also been increased interest in the use of medicinal mushrooms in bridging the unaddressed pathways of action within the treatment algorithms. In this review, we provide a collection of medicinal mushrooms that are beneficial in promoting respiratory health and potentially reducing COVID-19 symptoms in patients who are newly diagnosed and those who have recovered. While reviewing the use of immunomodulatory pathways, which have shown promising results in tackling side effects and post-COVID syndromes, we also provide insights into how the antioxidant elements present in medicinal mushrooms help to achieve the same results, especially in the prophylactic and therapeutic management of COVID-19 infection. To date, medicinal mushrooms are regarded as a functional food, which, however, need further quality, safety, and efficacy assessments. These requirements are also highlighted in the present review to promote the future development and application of medicinal mushrooms for better respiratory health.
Keywords
Antioxidant, COVID-19 infection, Immunomodulatory, Medicinal mushrooms, Post-COVID-19 syndrome, Respiratory disorder, Respiratory health
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
University of Nottingham Malaysia,Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) Malaysia FRGS/1/2020/SKK0/UNIM/01/2,LiGNO Biotech
Publication Title
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms
Volume
24
Issue
10
Publisher
Begell House Inc
Publisher Location
50 NORTH ST, DANBURY, CT 06810 USA