Benefits, side effects, and uses of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement: a systematic review

Summary & key facts

Researchers looked at studies of Hericium erinaceus, the Lion's Mane mushroom, from 2000 to mid-2024 to see what it might do for the brain, the gut, mood, and safety. They followed standard review steps to try to avoid bias. Lab studies found mushroom chemicals that slowed cancer cell spread and turned on cell-death pathways. Other studies linked the mushroom to more helpful gut bacteria, higher levels of a brain-growth protein called BDNF, more new brain cells in the hippocampus, and smaller signs of depression, anxiety, binge eating, and sleep problems. Side effects were reported but not often; they included stomach upset, headache, and allergic reactions. Overall, the findings are promising for brain and gut health, but much of the evidence comes from laboratory work and animal studies, so more careful human trials are still needed to know how well and how safely the mushroom works for people.

Key facts:

• The review searched peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and June 2024 and used standard methods to reduce bias.
• Laboratory studies found an isolated compound from the mushroom mycelium slowed the invasiveness of certain cancer cells and activated cell-death pathways.
• Several studies reported that the mushroom increased diversity of gut bacteria and raised the numbers of bacteria that make short-chain fatty acids, which help lower inflammation and protect gut health.
• Research showed the mushroom raised levels of pro-BDNF and BDNF, proteins that support brain growth, and promoted new brain cells in the hippocampus in the studies reviewed.
• Those changes in the brain and gut were linked in the reviewed studies with better behavior and reductions in symptoms like low mood, anxiety, binge eating, and sleep problems.
• Reported side effects were usually uncommon but included stomach discomfort, headache, and allergic reactions; the review noted side effects are often not well reported.
• The review found promising results but much of the evidence comes from lab and animal work, so more and better human studies are needed before we know how it affects people in everyday use.

Abstract

Introduction: (HE), commonly known as the Lion's Mane mushroom, is an edible, medicinal fungus containing bioactive polysaccharides. It shows promising properties, including neuroprotective, anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects. The mushroom's bioactive chemical components, derived from its fruiting bodies and mycelia (erinacines), demonstrate promising neural-stimulating activity. This systematic review investigates existing literature on the clinical use of HE, outlining its benefits and side effects related to neural stimulation, apoptotic activity, the abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing microbiota, and its role in mood dysregulation, with the aim of establishing a safety profile for the supplement. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed was searched for relevant, peer-reviewed articles published between January 2000 and June 2024. To address the risk of quality bias, the ROBIS tool was used to eliminate bias and ensure the quality of the included studies. This systematic review is registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024571250). Result: laboratory studies on cancer and cell apoptosis, focusing on leukemia and gastric cancer cells, found that isolated erinacine A from the mycelium of HE inhibited the invasiveness of MKN28 and TSGH 9201 cells and activated caspase pathways. HE also increased gut microbiota diversity and the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria, thereby reducing inflammation and protecting gut health. Additionally, HE enhanced pro-BDNF and BDNF production, promoted hippocampal neurogenesis, improved behavior, and reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, binge eating, and sleep disorders. Discussion: HE is effective in neuroprotection, enhancing cognitive function, preventing and alleviating cancer, promoting gut health, and improving symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although commonly unreported, potential side effects of HE include stomach discomfort, headache, and allergic reactions. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024571250.

Topics

Fungal Biology and Applications Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds Polysaccharides and Plant Cell Walls

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Biology Ecology Hericium erinaceus Medicine Raw material Traditional medicine

Substances

Other

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Depression Eating Disorder Sleep disorder Anxiety or worry Poor appetite or overeating Poor sleep Sadness or low mood