Medicinal Mushrooms with Antiallergic Activities

Abstract

Allergies are an increasing problem worldwide, and new strategies for prophylaxis and therapy are urgently needed. Medicinal mushrooms present such an opportunity. Antiallergic activities have been found for Agaricus subrufescens, Armillaria ostoyae, Flammulina velutipes, Ganoderma lucidum and G. tsugae, Inonotus obliquus, Phellinus linteus, Pleurotus ostreatus and P. pulmonarius, Tricholoma populinum, and some further mushroom species. Nevertheless, most effects have been detected only in vitro and/or in animal assays, and responsible bioactive compounds have not yet been identified. Besides, only a limited number of mushroom species has been investigated for antiallergic activities until now. The chapter gives an overview about mushrooms with antiallergic activities and describes the challenges for the exploration of the antiallergic potential of mushrooms.