Medicinal mushrooms: a review of bioactive compounds, pharmacological mechanisms and the translational roadmap to clinical therapeutics

Abstract

Mushrooms, traditionally revered and increasingly recognized for their sustainable production, represent an underexplored pharmacopoeia. Despite a rich ethnopharmacological legacy and burgeoning preclinical evidence supporting efficacy against diverse pathologies—including cancer, immunodeficiency, and metabolic disorders, their translation into mainstream clinical therapeutics remains notably constrained. This review paper critically synthesizes current knowledge on mushroom-derived bioactive, encompassing key classes such as polysaccharides, terpenoids, and phenolics, and elucidates their molecular mechanisms underpinning potent immunomodulatory, anticancer, antiviral, and metabolic-regulating effects. The significant therapeutic capabilities of mushrooms are not only delineated in this paper but also the critical evaluation of the translational pipeline, identification of the pivotal challenges in standardization, quality control, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and regulatory frameworks are also projected. The analysis underscores the urgent need for targeted research and robust development strategies to bridge the gap between traditional use, preclinical evidence, and clinical validation, thereby unlocking the vast pharmaceutical potential of mushrooms for novel, sustainable therapeutic systems. Received: 27 June 2025 Accepted: 02 August 2025 Published: 24 August 2025