Medicinal Uses fungi.

Medicinal uses of Fungi including Mushrooms or Uses of Fungi in Modern Drug development

1. Department of Botany Govt Institute of Science Aurangabad A Seminar Presentation on Medicinal Uses Of Fungi By: Walid Hashmi .

2. Fungi are a group of Unicellular & Multicellular Spore producing organisms which are feeding on Organic Matter. They occure in every habitats where Moisture and Organic matter are available. These are Achlorophylous , hence can’t produce their own food material. Most of the fungi Grows on Dead decaying organic matter, hence called as Saprophytes. They are also Parasitic What are Fungi…???

3. There are several fungi which are used as Medicines & in the production of Medicine. These are as Follows :- Medicinal Uses of Fungi:-

4. Antibiotics are metabolic substances produced by some living organisms which are injurious to other living beings Alexander fleming in 1944 for the first time extracted the Wonder Drug “Penicillin” from the fungi “ Penicillium notatum ” Antibiotics

5. First Antibiotic discovered It kills Bacteria by preventing them from making Cell wall due to which the Bacteria dies. Penicillium sp.

6. Penicillium Medicinal Products

7. Other Antibiotics Obtained from Fungi.

8. Contains some Alkaloids like Ergometrine , Ergotamine, Ergosterol . These are used for : To induce Uterine contraction for Abortion. Treatment of Menstural disorder. To Check Haemorrhages Ergot ( Calvicep purpurea )

9. Tolypocladium inflatum is soil mold which produces Cyclosporine. It is actually a soil stage in the life cycle of a fungus called as Cordycep subsessilis . Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant. Hence it is usually used at the time of organ transplant. Tolypocladium inflatum

10. Aspergillus terreus produces Lovastatin. Lovastatin is a drug used along a proper diet to reduce the Bad Cholesterol and Fats(LDL), and raise Good Cholesterols(HDL) in the blood. Lovastatin reduces the risk of Cardiovascular disease. Aspergillus terreus

11. The oyster mushroom is another fungus that produces Lovastatin. It is also a popular food item. Pleurotus sp. ( Oyster Mushroom)

12. This fungi is used in the synthesis of a Drug called Ephedrine Ephidrine is synthesized from Benzaldehydes by the action of Yeast ( Sachharomyces cervisiae ) Used for treatment of Asthama and Nasal troubles. Sachharomyces cervisiae (Yeast)

13. These are complex Organic compounds effective against Arthritis, allergies, etc. They are also used in as Anesthetic and Antifertility agents. A wide variety of fungi has the ability of synthesizing steroids such as, Cortisone is prepared by fermentation of plant glycoside by Rhizopus nigricans & Aspergillus niger . Steroids

14. This is a very rare and very expensive fungus and also known as “Zombie mushroom”. It is used by athletes for boosting metabolism and stamina It also increases and stimulates testesteron and estrogen secretion. It has Anti-Diabetic properties. It has also been found that it also improves lung functioning. Good for immune system It has also shown abilities to shrink tumors of Cancer. Ophiocordicep sinensis

15. It boosts and regulates the Immune system. It contains compounds that increase the production of antibodies that fights pathogens in the body. Also lowers the bad Cholesterol like LDL. The ingrediants of this mushroom acts as anti inflamatory agents. It is consumed in the form Of tea. . Inonotus obliquus ( Chaga Mushrooms)

16. These mushrooms also have the ability to fight and cure Cancer tumors. The most interesting compound in this mushroom is Polysaccharide-K (PSK). This PSK is used as a priscription drug in the Traditional Cancer treatment in Japan. Trametes sp. (Turkey tail Mushrooms)

17. This mushroom has an Anti-Diabetic property by maintaining the Insulin level in body It also has some anti-inflammatory properties It also has Cancer treating properties. It also helps in the production of phagocytic cells in the body. Grifola frondosa ( Maitake Mushrooms)

18. This is an edible mushroom They contains two chemicals of interests i.e Lentinan & Eritadenine . Lentinan boosts the immune system and helps to fight Cancer. Eritadenine lowers the Cholesterol. Lentinula edodes (Shiitake Mushrooms)

19. Medicinal Mycology Iceberg

20. Thank you