**8.1 Impact of mushroom on cardiovascular diseases**

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in both the developed and the developing world [88]. Food has been found to notably modify etiological risk factors associated with blood pressure alterations, homocysteine metabolism, hemostasis, lipid and lipoprotein digestion, and oxidative damage [89]. Triacylglycerol, blood pressure, homocysteine, LDL, and HDL cholesterol are all well-established measurements and commonly recognized markers. Only LDL and blood pressure, however, are considered diet-related indicators [89]. The hypocholesterolemic characteristics of edible mushrooms have long been employed in medicine [90]. Consuming edible mushrooms, in general, reduces the risk of heart disease attributed to the prevalence of certain compounds and other bioactive molecules. **Figure 3** depicts the processes of cholesterol metabolism involved in the hypocholesterolemic action of edible mushrooms.

The FA content of edible mushrooms proves to help in lowering blood cholesterol [51, 91]. When the Fatty acid proximate analysis of many edible mushrooms was studied, significant amounts of PUFA were identified. The presence of Tran's isomers of unsaturated fatty acids has the greatest impact on raising the blood cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio, which raises the risk of cardiovascular disease [91–93]. Mushrooms did not contain Tran's isomers of unsaturated fatty acids [51]. Dietary fiber ingestion may have an effect on plasma lipid levels and lower the risk of heart problems [94]. Soluble dietary fiber has been demonstrated to have effects on serum lipid, decreasing total cholesterol and LDL [95]. Their vicious qualities are connected to an increase in bile acid and Short-chain FA excretion inhibits acetate uptake into serum lipids [9, 96]. Auricularia auricula and Tremella fuciformis are two mushrooms

#### **Figure 3.**

with significant dietary fiber, that have been shown to reduce LDL levels and total cholesterol [97]. Mushrooms are especially interesting because they contain a high concentration of -glucan polysaccharides, which have hypocholesterolemic and anticoagulant properties (**Table 3**) [106, 107].

Some fungal species have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects [108], and edible mushrooms have been used to obtain natural anti-inflammatory chemicals. P. florida's anti-inflammatory action has been indicated as a possible therapeutic application against cardiovascular illnesses [108]. Help to prevent cardiovascular disease, and there is evidence that proves that oxidative alteration of LDL (lipids or protein components) contributes to atherogenesis [109]. Mushrooms include a variety of antioxidant chemicals, including polysaccharides, nicotinic acid, triterpenes, ergosterol, and polyphenols [98]. Two extracts of P. citrinopileatus were shown to exhibit strong antioxidant activity, which may be related to antihyperlipidemic effects [110]. Oyster mushrooms decreased the frequency and size of lesions of atherosclerotic in coronary arteries [108]. High blood pressure. In terms of blood pressure effects, the mushroom's low salt concentration and high potassium content (182–395 mg/100 g) encourage its inclusion in the meal plan. In fact, from fruits and vegetable potassium has been shown to reduce blood pressure [6]. Several research

*Edible Mushrooms, a Sustainable Source of Nutrition, Biochemically Active Compounds and Its… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.102694*


#### **Table 3.**

*Edible mushrooms with hypocholesterolemia properties.*

has been conducted to study the antihypertensive activity of edible mushroom species such as Ganoderma lucidum, pleurotus narbonensis, G. frondosa, and L. edodes (**Figure 4**).

The potassium, vitamin C, and fiber found in mushrooms help to improve cardiovascular health. Potassium, like salt, aids in blood pressure regulation. Consuming shiitake can help reduce the risk of health problems and coronary heart disease since they are high in nutrients and low in salt. Mushrooms are especially interesting since they contain a lot of -glucan polysaccharides, which have anticoagulant and hypocholesterolemic properties [107]. Chitin (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine polymer) or Chitosan (D-glucosamine polymer) are two more fascinating fungal polysaccharides that have comparable properties to dietary fiber and lower triglyceride levels in the body [99]. Eritadenine, also known as lentinacin (or lentysine), is a purine alkaloid or an adenosine analog with hypocholesterolemic properties [109].

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) regulates the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system's (RAAS) action and lowers blood pressure, which is inhibited by the majority of mushroom bio-components [110]. Polysaccharides and Triterpenoids, such as ganoderic alcohols, ganoderic aldehydes (ganoderals), and ganoderic acids are bioactive in Ganoderma (ganoderol). Ansor and colleagues recently reported that ACE

**Figure 4.** *Effect of edible mushrooms on cholesterol metabolism.*

inhibitory peptides from Ganoderma lucidum can help to reduce blood pressure [111]. 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl 4-piperidone (TMP) from Marasmius androsaceus, l-pipecolic acid from Sarcodona spratus, d-mannitol from Pleurotus cornucopiae, Lentinan, chitin, and K+ from Lentinula edodes, are all anti-hypertensive mushroom bioactive elements [110].
