Health Desk

Indian scientists have found that mushroom-derived bioactive compounds have the potential to combat Covid-19 and other viral infections.

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 viral infection, according to a new paper by the scientists.

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 infection and limit the accelerated transmission of the virus. 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.

Mushrooms are a popular source of food and the increasing popularity of mushrooms led researchers from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IAAST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to critically analyse the importance of edible mushroom and natural compounds from mushroom to attenuate the complications against Covid-19 and other viral infections.

A research group led by Ashis K Mukherjee, Director, IASST and including Aparup Patra, M. R.Khan, Sagar R. Barge, and Paran Baruah from IASST, Guwahati, 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 mushrooms and their bioactive molecules.

In the paper, the scientists have 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 mushrooms contain bioactive polysaccharides and compounds with immunomodulating, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and other medicinal properties. It also said that mushroom-based drugs are being tested in human trials, with promising results against Covid-19.

The main advantages of using edible mushrooms against viral infections are that they can be a nutraceutical supplement with no side effects and can act as an immunity booster.