**2. Some example species of mushrooms that have been studied for medicinal properties**

The examples of mushroom species indicated used in folk medicine do not have any demonstrated medicinal efficacy, and therefore the description of their usage is mostly non-evidence based [33].

#### **2.1** *Coriolus versicolor*

This mushroom is under the species of bracket fungus that is widely referred to as Turkey tail. This common species is ubiquitous, but mostly in the temperate regions of the world [3, 34]. The fruiting body has many useful medicinal secondary metabolites, such as the immunoactive polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK) and especially the antitumor polysaccharide called coriolan [35]. The PSK and PSP are known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and are administered by intravenous route or *Medicinal Mushroom of Potential Pharmaceutical Toxic Importance: Contribution… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.103845*

enterally in clinical studies of cancer volunteers. They have shown promising anticancer activities for the management of many forms of cancer, synergistically in combination with radiation therapy through improving the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation. The survival of the treatment of PSK has shown the potential to increase the survival rate within 5 years by 21 and 52%, respectively [36]. In *Materia medica* within the traditional Chinese pharmacopeia, *C. versicolor*, is promising for the inhibition of phlegm, management of pulmonary disorder, energy booster for the treatment of chronic diseases [11, 37]. Medicinal mushrooms in Mexico used in traditional folk medicine, are applied for the treatment of ringworm [38]. *C. versicolor* is well illustrated in **Figure 1**.

## **2.2 Lentinula edodes**

The shiitake belongs to the group of mushrooms mainly used for thousands of years, in Japan and China, for its food value and is very prized for its medicinal properties [39]. It is considered as the world's second most widely cultivated and consumed mushroom. In traditional medicine, shiitake has been widely studied, with many clinical studies reported [40]. It has the polysaccharide, lentinan, as well as other polysaccharides that have antitumor properties. Some studies have shown that the shiitake can inhibit bacteria resistant to bacteria [15]. For instance, studies show that clinical trials volunteers that were exposed to antibiotic-resistant strains of *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, the causal agent of tuberculosis, showed recorded improved conditions when lentinan was administered to them and inhibited relapses of tuberculosis in the lungs [41]. The treatment for cancerous liver tumors in rats, liver protection increased the production of antibodies against hepatitis B, lowered cholesterol blood levels, lipids, and blood pressure [16, 42]. *Lentinula edodes* is illustrated in **Figure 2**.

#### **2.3** *Tremella fuciformis*

These are particular species of jelly fungus that are commonly called the snow fungus. This species grows on hardwood trees, but it is not a wood decomposer as has been considered in the past. It is parasitic on hosts belonging to the order Xylariales, of the phylum Ascomycota [43]. Before understanding its true nature, the cultivation of this species was very challenging. This species belongs to the many Chinese traditional medicinal mushrooms important in the treatment of diseases, used mostly

**Figure 2.** Lentinula edodes *(Shiitake) [42].*

as an immune tonic, stops asthma and coughing, reduces phlegm, supports the liver and exhaustion, cosmetics, anti-inflammatory, gastric ulcer, constipation, abnormal menstrual cycles, and many others [11, 44]. This species is common on hardwood in tropical and temperate areas, throughout the world.

From clinical trials studies, it has been shown to improve the level of blood cells as a result of losses from radio and chemotherapy treatment of cancer patients, to boost the immune system through the stimulation of white blood cell activity [45]. Ethnopharmacology studies indicate medicinal mushroom use in lowering cholesterol and the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis and abnormal clotting [46]. *Tremella fuciformis* has been illustrated in **Figure 3**.
