Extracts from the lion’s mane mushroom was tested for its potential effects on brain cells in a new study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry.
According to researchers at the University of Queensland, the active compound from the mushroom may help enhance memory by boosting nerve growth.
“Here, we purified and identified biologically new active compounds from H. erinaceus, based on their ability to promote neurite outgrowth in hippocampal neurons,” the authors explained in their study.
“Our results demonstrate that NDPIH acts via a complementary neurotrophic pathway independent of TrkB with converging downstream ERK1/2 activation.”
“Mice fed with H. erinaceus crude extract and hericene A also exhibited increased neurotrophin expression and downstream signaling, resulting in significantly enhanced hippocampal memory. Hericene A therefore acts through a novel pan-neurotrophic signaling pathway, leading to improved cognitive performance,” the study’s authors concluded.
Overall, the main objective for the researchers was to establish bioactive compounds from natural sources that could regulate nerve growth and thus enhance memory.
The study was published on January 20, 2023.
