Medicinal Mushrooms : Recent Progress in Research and Development

 Presents the latest R & D information on medicinal mushrooms from diverse geographical locationsOffers comprehensive coverage of the most important application areas of medicinal mushroomsIncludes contributions by eminently experienced researchers in the field of medicinal mushrooms   Medicinal mushrooms are increasingly gaining attention worldwide because of their pharmacologically bioactive compounds, which have demonstrated potent and unique clinical properties. Scientific studies carried out during the last decade have confirmed their efficacy in treating a wide range of diseases. Extracts and bioactive compounds obtained from mushrooms have been used medicinally as anticancer, immunomodulator, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, neuroprotectant, cardioprotectant, antioxidant, and anti-hypoglycemic agents, and in stem cell-based therapies. Introducing readers to the latest developments in, and ongoing research efforts on, medicinal mushrooms, this book gathers articles contributed by eminent researchers in different disciplines and from around the globe. Highlighting the tremendous potential of mushrooms for the development of new drugs, the topics covered include but are not limited to:      Recent progress in research on the pharmaceutical potential of medicinal mushrooms and prospects for their clinicalapplication          Edible mushroom neuronutraceuticals: Basis of therapeutics         Overview of therapeutic efficacy of mushrooms         Mushrooms – a wealth of resources for prospective stem cell-based therapies         Mushrooms as potential natural cytostatics