Hericium erinaceus – Lions Mane Spagyric Extract
Heircium erinaceus
Lions Mane mushroom is equally beautiful, as it is nutritious and tasty. Though its medicinal properties far supersede its looks and taste. The relationship between the evolution of the mushroom and the evolution of the human brain have some hair-splitting parallels that are causing mycology to undergo a rapid increase in attention and scientific enquiry.
Lions Mane is coming under scrutiny for its incredible immune boosting, neuro-protective, neuro-restorative, neuro-generative and neurotrophic factors. It has been shown in preclinical studies to remove a type of neuronal plaque build up in cases of Alzheimer's disease leading to the hypothesis that it can slow and even reverse the progression of alzheimers and other neurodegenerative disorders. In a clinical double-blind placebo controlled study it was proven to significantly improve mild cognitive impairment, spatial short-term memory and visual-recognition memory.
Hericium has extensive bioactive metabolites that will reduce inflammation, stimulate nerve growth factor synthesis in the nervous system, provide a storehouse of prebiotics for the gut (also known as the second brain) to promote digestive health, and raises the quality of mental health and consciousness overall through its novel medicinal compounds, Hericerins and Erinacines..
It has a long standing and highly praised usage in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a tonic, anti-cancer drug, gastritis medication, and for influencing the central nervous system.
It has a multitude of novel medicinal compounds, Hericerins and Erinacines are the ones that are responsible for the neuroactive principles, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, erinaceolactones, terpenoids, vitamins and more yet to be discovered.
Hericerin A - Total Breakdown
Commonly known as Lions Mane, the Agaricomycete Hericium erinaceus from the Russulales order, this mushroom medicine has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for supporting old age, gastritis, stress related diseases, and as an overall tonic for the immune system. Modern science has reported a litany of active constituents including polysaccharides, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and more that contribute to its proven medicinal qualities that have affects on diseases ranging from cancers, depression, diabetes, lipidemia, alzheimers and other neurodgenerative disorders. This makes it a critical component of the developing western science based healthcare systems as a potential agent of new medicinal compounds and treatments. Hericerins make up a class of aromatic monoterpenes isolated from Lions Mane. Hericerin A is being intensively looked at for its anti-cancer properties that have shown activity for lung cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, and it enhanced apoptosis induced by the clinical cancer drug doxorubicin among other medicinal affects. This is all significant, especially for liver carcinoma which is notoriously drug resistant. 0.007 mg of Hericerin A is soluble in one liter of water and appears as an amorphous powder isolate that is stable at room temperature and has a melting point between 138 and 140degreees Celsius. As with all fungus, the MEV pathway is responsible for the production of mushroom terpenoids. Hericerin A is a rare example of monoterpenoid which contains a Nitrogen, and thus displays a “mixed biogenetic origin”. Theprenyl groups are suspected of arising from the geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP)pathway (as do all monoterpenes) which are in turn derived from one isopentenylpyrophosphate (IPP) and one dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP). The aromatic portionis derived from the polyketide pathway. All synthesis of which, occurs in the cytosolof the cell.
Lions Mane has been shown to be non-toxic in clinical trials in the majority of the population.
Extraction Information
This specimen was extracted according to the protocol put forth in the Library.
Bioactive Constituents of Lions Mane and their sollubility or LogP values. (read more about LogP here.)
Hericerins - 5.9
Erinacines - 1.4
Polysaccharides - Water soluble
Sterols
Vitamins
Terpene/oids
Here we have some of the key constituents of the Lions Mane mushroom. We have both alcohol and water soluble compounds here, thus the extraction followed the in house methods with some alterations. Mushroom body was decocted in water within 95 to 100 degrees cleclius for two hours. Body was strained and the aqueous portion was concentrated to 5 ounces. The body was then placed in a soxhlet apparatus and extracted with 75.5% alcohol until the solvent ran clear (~4 hours). Alcohol fraciton was likewise concentrated to 5 ounces. Mushroom body was then calcined for 10+ hours with the body of Black Pepper.
Sources
Kushairi N, Phan CW, Sabaratnam V, David P, Naidu M. Lion's Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. Suppresses H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage and LPS-Induced Inflammation in HT22 Hippocampal Neurons and BV2 Microglia. Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Aug 1;8(8):261. doi: 10.3390/antiox8080261. PMID: 31374912; PMCID: PMC6720269.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914?casa_token=IG3wo6dWK30AAAAA:5ChbWiID9uw0SE2MUPRiHfFfWDsK09c_k_DWM-Lrs5EqrrPnc-4sNmAIjWi18u73qX6K9dsf4jvUsTMd#
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hericerin#section=2D-Structure
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Erinacine-P#section=CAS
Friedman, M. (2015). Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and Their Bioactive Compounds. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(32), 7108–7123. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914
