ISRA MEDICAL JOURNAL
Volume 3 Issue 1 April 2011
REVIEW ARTICLE
MEDICAL IMPORTANCE OF FUNGI WITH SPECIAL
EMPHASIS ON MUSHROOMS
Abdul Qadar Khan Mohmand, Muhammad Waseem Kousar, Humaira Zafar,
Kiran Tauseef Bukhari, Mudassira Zahid Khan
ABSTRACT
Fungi are playing a vital role in the Biological world. Their three forms (Yeasts, Molds and Mushrooms) are
important in the preparation of certain foods (cheese, bread, liquors), antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs. They
are also good sources of protein (mushrooms) and improves immunity. On the other sides Fungi cause
destruction of crops, food commodities and also responsible for important human, animals and plant
diseases.
KEY WORDS: Fungi, Drugs, Nutrition, Cultivation
INTRODUCTION
Fungi are basically plants devoid of green colouring
substance called chlorophyll. Now this conception is
slightly changed and Fungi are now categorized as a
separate kingdom like plants and animals. They are
considered to be the most important organisms on
earth. Mycology is the study of Fungi. Fungi in
combination with certain bacteria are responsible for
recycling i.e to convert the dead material into a useful
form for the soil. In this way Fungi are important for
the good growth of most plants, including crops
through the development of mycorrhizal
associations, but at the same time causes diseases
of crops, animals and human being. Edible
mushrooms are consumed by humans for their
nutritional values 1.Fungi exist in three different forms
i.e. Yeasts, Molds and Mushrooms 1,2,3. Yeast are
single-celled and grow by budding Examples are;
Candida albicans, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma and
Saccharomyces etc. Candida albicans is oval yeast
with a single bud (Figure 1).The word “yeast” refers to
a large variety of unicellular fungi 4 .
Yeast like Saccharomyces cerevisiae and
S.ellipsoideus are used for bread baking (the former)
and for alcohol production (the later). The cytoplasm
of Saccharomyces is rich in B vitamins, a factor that
makes yeast tablets valuable nutritional
supplements. One pharmaceutical company adds
iron to the yeast and markets its product as “Ironized
Yeast” recommended for people with iron-poor
blood.Yeast ferment barley grains, the product is
called beer; if grape juice is fermented, the product is
wine 1.
Liqueurs are made when yeasts ferment fruits such
Correspondence to:
Dr. Abdul Qadar Khan Mohmand
Department of Pathology
Al Nafees Medical College,
Isra University Islamabad Campus
as oranges, cherries, or melons. Yeast like Candida
albicans is often present in the skin, mouth, vagina,
and intestinal tract of healthy persons, where it lives
without causing disease 1. On the contrary yeast
causes the following diseases 1: Cryptococcosis is
considered the most dangerous fungal disease in
humans. It affects the lungs and meninges, the
coverings of the brain and spinal cord, and is
estimated to account for over 25 % of all deaths from
fungal disease 1.Candidiasis occurs in the vagina and
is often referred to as vulvovaginitis or the “yeast
disease”. Symptoms include itching sensations
(pruritis), burning internal pain, and a white “cheesy”
discharge1. White patches on tongue and in the
mouth of AIDS or Immunocompromised promised
patients 1.
Figure 1: Budding Yeast
Candida albicans is a part of the normal flora of
mucous membrane of the upper respiratory,
gastrointestinal and female genital tract 1,2,3.
31
MOLDS:
Molds are long filamentous. (The filaments are also
called Hyphae). The examples of Molds are
Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor etc. Molds grow
by spore formation. One can see them growing on
grasses, jellies, bread, leather articles, decaying
oranges or other fruits etc (Figure 2) 4.
Figure 2: Mold
Some Molds and Fungi are the original source of
Penicillin, Griseofulvin, Lovastatin and Streptomycin
etc, and other medicines. Penicillin, perhaps the most
famous of all antibiotic drugs, is derived from a
common fungus called Penicillium. Streptomycin as
antituberculous drugs from the so called soil Fungi
now a separate class of bacteria called
Actinomycetes (Streptomyces). Many other fungi
also produce antibiotic substances, which are now
widely used to control diseases in human and animal
populations. The discovery of antibiotics
revolutionized health care worldwide 5. A mold called
Claviceps purpurea which parasitizes Rye crops
causes a disease known as Ergot. It produces
Ergotamine and LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide).
The fungus can occur on a variety of grasses.
Ergotamine is used in childbirth. It is said that if one
ounce of LSD is put in River Thames (London) and
the water of the Thames is drunk by all Britishers they
can go faint 1,4,5.
Some Fungi like Nodulisporium sylviforme and
Taxomyces andreanae are able to create the
anticancer drug paclitaxel 6. Penicillium griseofulvum
is able to create griseofulvin. Both paclitaxel and
griseofulvin have anticancer activity by binding to
tubulin, which suppresses microtubule dynamics,
leading to a halt in cell division. This is also the
32
mechanism of the the anticancer drug vincristine 7.
Dermatomycosis is a general name for a fungal
disease of the hair, skin and nails caused by a wide
variety of fungi. The diseases are commonly known
as tinea infections, from the Latin tinea for “worm”
because in ancient times worms were thought to be
the cause. The tinea diseases include tinea paedis
(athlete's foot), tinea capitis (ringwarn of the head),
tinea corporis(ringworm of the body), tinea cruris
(ringworm of the groin or “jock itch”), tinea unguium
(ringworm of the nails).The common dermatophytes
are Trichophyton, Microsporum and
Epidermophyton. Aspergillus flaevus produces toxic
compounds called Aflatoxins. It contaminates
agriculture products such as peanuts, grams,
cereals, corn, rice, sweet potatoes and animal feeds.
Aflatoxins are deposited in these foods. When
ingested by humans they are thought to be
carcinogenic especially in the liver 1.
Medicinal Importance of Mushrooms
During rainy seasons some Fungi bloom into a visible
fruiting body called Mushroom. Mushrooms are
fleshy fungi having an umbrella like fruiting body
(Figure 4).
Some Fungi which parasites caterpillars have also
been traditionally used as medicines. The Chinese
have used a particular caterpillar fungus as a tonic for
hundreds of years. Certain chemical compounds
isolated from Fungi may prove to be useful
treatments for certain types of cancer 1.
Figure 3: Mushroom
ISRA MEDICAL JOURNAL
Volume 3 Issue 1 April 2011
STRUCTURE OF A MUSHROOM
Figure 4: Mushroom
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting
bodies of a Fungus, typically produced above ground
on soil or on its food source (organic humus), Like all
Fungi, Mushrooms are not plants and do not undergo
photosynthesis. Mushrooms have a stem (stipe), a
cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae, sing. lamella) or
pores on the underside of the cap and its
underground parts. In majority of such cases the
spores are stuck up on the gills or lamellae. The
spores are responsible for reproduction and are not
like the seeds of the plants. Mushroom's body is
composed of single thread like structure called
Mycellium 2.
EDIBLE MUSHROOMS
These are the fleshy non-poisonous (edible) fruiting
bodies of several kinds (species) of Fungi. Their
fruiting bodies are large enough to be seen with the
naked eye 8. They can appear either below ground
(hypogeous) or above ground (epigeous) where they
may be picked up by hands 9. Edibility may be defined
as a criteria that include absence of poisonous effects
on humans and having desirable taste and aroma 4,10.
About 10 percent of all mushrooms may be
edible.Edible mushroom species have been found in
1300 year old ruins of Chile (South America), but the
first reliable evidence of mushroom consumption
dates to several hundred years BC in China. The
Chinese value mushrooms for medicinal properties
as well as for food. Ancient Romans and Greeks ate
mushrooms, particularly the upper class. Chinese
soups and rice with mushrooms are very famous the
world over 11. Mushrooms are cultivated in at least 60
countries with China, the United States, Netherlands,
France and Poland being the top five producers 12. Its
cultivation has now been started in some private and
good agriculture sectors of Pakistan at a low level.
Figure 5: Mushroom
Figure 6: White Mushrooms
Figure 7: Coloured Mushroom
33
Mushrooms survive by decomposing the waste
materials with the help of enzymes being produced
by Mushrooms. Sometimes they appear in a circle
known as Fairy Rings 3. There are beautifully colored
mushrooms besides white ones. All colored
mushrooms are considered to be poisonous and
many white ones too 2,3 .
to the epoxide, a potent carcinogen 1.
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS:
These are the extracts of some mushrooms, that are
used or studied as possible treatments for diseases.
Medicinal mushroom research has indicated
possible cardiovascular, anticancer, antiviral,
antibacterial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory,
hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic activities 13,14,15.
These extracts have widespread use in Japan,
Korea, and China, as chemotherapy adjuvants 16,17 .
Polysaccharides- protein complexes from medicinal
mushrooms may enhance innate immune
responses, resulting in antitumor activities in animals
and humans 18,19.
Mushroom extracts have shown potential in vitro, to
lower the level of Estrogen and Testosterone
hormones production by inhibiting the enzymes
aromatase and 5-alpha reductase 20,21 . Some
mushrooms also have anti inflammatory effects 22.
Some Mushrooms that contain ergosterol when
exposed to UV light generate significant amounts of
vitamin D2 23.
Importance of Mushrooms in Pregnancy
Mushrooms are a good source of zinc, which is
important for normal fetal growth and development
during pregnancy 1.
Fungal Toxins and Allergies
In addition to mycotic infections, there are two other
kinds of fungal disease like allergies to fungal spores
and mycotoxicoses,. The best-known mycotoxicosis
occurs after eating Amanita mushrooms. The toxicity
of amanitin is based on its ability to inhibit cellular
RNA polymerase, which prevents mRNA suythesis.
Another mycotoxicosis, ergotism, is caused by the
mold Claviceps purpurea, which infects grains and
produces alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine and lysergic
acid diethylamaide (LSD) that cause pronounced
vascular and neurologic effects 1 .
Other ingested toxins, aflatoxins, are coumarin
derivatives produced by Aspergillus flaevus that
cause liver damaged and tumors in animals and are
suspected of causing hepatic carcinoma in human.
Aflatoxins is produced by the fungus on spoiled
grains and peanuts and are metabolized by the liver
34
Figure 8: Mushroom
Nutritional value of Mushrooms
Some of the mushrooms can be consumed as food
while others are fatal when ingested as mentioned in
the above lines. Mushrooms are rich in proteins
which can be more easily digested than any other
vegetables 24. In addition to such proteins that are
necessary for general health mushrooms are rich in
B-complex vitamins and minerals. Some species of
mushrooms act as sources of healing in many ways
and have been found to prevent the spread of tumor
cells and AIDS. It has been discovered that they are
useful in the treatment of illnesses like cold, stomach/
head aches, and hepatitis B. They can help reduce
fatigue and sleeping problems as well as blood
cholesterol levels. Mushrooms can also have a
positive effect in diseases like arteriosclerosis,
kidney failure and high blood pressure, as well as
helping in strengthening the Immune system, thus
delaying unfavorable conditions of aging. The
mushroom offers a good alternative for anaemia, a
disease that arises from a deficiency in folic acid and
it also helps to regulate the blood sugar level.
Mushrooms are often recommended for patients with
liver and kidney diseases, as well as being a good
source of protein for patients suffering from gout as
compared to other sources of proteins such as meat
etc because it causes the formation of only a small
amount of uric acid at the end of the digestion
metabolism 24.
ISRA MEDICAL JOURNAL
In Japan, around fifty different types of enzymes have
been derived from mushroom. These enzymes
include Pepsin and Trypsin, which are used in the
treatment of some gastric diseases, as well as
asparaginase, which makes up a part of leukemia
treatment for children. The consumption of 100
grams of fresh mushroom generates only 28 calories,
thus making it a good alternative as a food that has
limited energy intake. Mushrooms have only a small
amount of A and E vitamins, but a large quantity of
ergosterol (provitamin D2); this can change to D2
vitamin under sunlight or artificial light. D2 vitamin
can adjust the phosphorous and calcium balance,
thereby contributing to bone and muscle
development and preventing rickets. Eight of the
eighteen amino acids found in pleurotus ostreatus
are essential for human life. Extracts obtained from
pleurotus spores trigger the formation of interferon,
which is the first defense mechanism against viral
infections 24.
Mushrooms are also used in Traditional Medicines
which may help to prevent heart diseases, diabetes,
cancer and obesity. There are about 7000 species of
Mushrooms but a little over 100
species are
suitable for human consumption. The rest are non
edible or poisonous 25.
Mushroom contains more protein than in foodstuffs
like potato, carrot, dates, and beet. Many varieties of
mushroom are grown commercially in mushroom
farms and sold them to market. Mushrooms are the
richest source of vegetable proteins. They contain
31-40% of proteins. The percentage of protein is
much higher than in cereals, pulses, fruits and
vegetables. The proteins of mushrooms contain all
essential amino acids and their quantity is higher than
in the egg. They are good source of iron. Mushroom
contains minerals like calcium, potassium, sodium
and phosphorous, and vitamins like B, C, D, and K.
Mushroom contains niacin, which is ten times higher
than any other vegetables 25.
The folic acid present in mushroom is used in the
treatment of anemia. The ratio of sodium and
potassium is low in mushrooms, so it is suitable for
people with hypertension (high blood pressure),
diabetes, and obesity. Mushrooms are getting a
higher profile for containing anti-oxidants. It has been
proved in many research centers that mushroom may
help to prevent breast cancer, high cholesterol and
heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Many varieties
of mushroom are used to prepare delicious recipes.
Mushrooms have made their way to our dining tables.
The common dishes of mushrooms in Pakistan are
(mushroom soups, mushrooms with egg omelet and
mushroom pulao 25.
Volume 3 Issue 1 April 2011
Cultivation of Mushrooms
Their cultivation on extensive scale can help solve
many problems of global importance such as protein
shortage. The protein value of mushroom is double of
cabbage, potatoes and asparagus, four times that of
tomatoes and carrot and six times that of oranges.
The protein value of dried mushrooms has been
found to be 30-40 per cent comprising all the
essential amino acids rich in iron, copper, folic acid
and zinc, vitamins and minerals 26.
The edible mushroom may be put in various
sausages with minced meat and vegetables, soups,
pastes and bakery products and many other dietary
menus. Cultivation of edible Mushrooms consumes
agricultural and industrial wastes, straw and
molasses, which is an excellent fertilizer and soil
conditioner. They can grow in darkness, where no
other crop would easily flourish. A crop of mushroom
can be produced in boxes beneath the kitchen sinks
and in garden sheds. For large scale cultivation,
properly designed rooms/spaces are needed, which
should provide suitable temperature, humidity and
darkness. Cultivation of mushrooms has not been
given due importance in Pakistan. Mushroom
cultivation is lucrative business in many countries. In
Pakistan, mushroom cultivation has tremendous
prospects although; at present only some wild types
of mushrooms are eaten by rural folk. Nature has
gifted Pakistan with variety of environmental
conditions suitable for cultivation of mushroom from
sea level to high mountains, where different types of
mushrooms can easily be grown round a year. About
18-25 thousand kilograms of morels (Morochella
esculenta), which are found in Swat and Kaghan
areas of Pakistan are annually exported to some
European countries. A mushroom with the name of
Guchi is edible and is collected by the locals from
Kaghan, Hazara and Swat 26.
Different agriculture and industrial wastes could be
used as source of food for mushroom cultivation.
Mushrooms may also be grown in a variety of places
like, caves, ditches, huts, hovels, cottages, cellars,
garages, sheds or shelters, bee hive shaped huts,
thatched or meted roofs, thick green groves and
gardens. Mushrooms are grown in Baluchistan,
Sindh, Punjab, Swat Valley, Murree Hills and also in
National Agriculture Research Council, Islamabad.
These areas are suitable for growing white button
mushrooms. Chinese mushrooms are perhaps the
easiest and simplest in its cultural requirements and
are more suited to conditions in Pakistan, especially
the plains of the country. Mushroom cultivation can
be profitable as cottage industry in many parts of the
country. The mushroom after harvest can be
35
marketed as Fresh, canned, dried or made into
powder or as a soup 26, besides all this there are most
dangerous groups of fungi including the amanitas,
the false morels and brown mushrooms. With
amanitas alone accounting for 90 percent of
mushroom related deaths. There are hundreds of
other mushrooms that will cause anything from mild
abdominal pain to severe physical stress including
vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and loss of coordination.
There is no quick and easy tests that will separate
edible from poisonous mushrooms 27.
Antifungal Therapy
The most effective antifungal drugs, amphotetricin B
and the various azoles. Amphotericin B disrupts
fungal cell membrane and inhibit the synthesis of
ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal
membrane 28.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
CONCLUSIONS
9.
Fungi such as yeasts and molds are the sources of
foods, preparation of wines, breads, cheese and
antibiotics, Poisonous Fungi can cause humans,
animals and plants diseases such as Candidiasis,
Cryptococcosis and Histoplasmosis etc. Yeasts also
present a common flora of human body like throat
and vagina. The edible mushrooms are the best
sources of proteins, vitamins and important minerals
for human beings. They develop Immunity, cures
anemia, avoids obesity, hypertension and
arteriosclerosis. Mushrooms are preferred over other
sources of proteins in special circumstances where
there is a problem of uric acid. Mushrooms can be
grown in a small limited place and its cultivation
should be encouraged in Pakistan to overcome the
problems of meat. Wild edible mushrooms already
available in Pakistan in the forests of Kaghan,
Kohistan, Hazara, Baluchistan, Swat and Kashmir,
should be exploited commercially and its cultivation
should be encouraged in their original habitats in
Pakistan. But care should be taken by commoners to
avoid collection and use of poisonous and non edible
mushrooms.
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