Good Feeling Products GmbH, Neuss, Germany.
Innovative Drugs Regulatory Europe GmbH, Munich, Germany.
Int J Med Mushrooms. 2023;25(3):21-35. doi: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2022047222.
The tough, hoof-shaped fruiting bodies of the tinder conk mushroom, Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr. (Polyporaceae, Agaricomycetes), were traditionally used all over the world as tinder to start fire, for ritual purposes, to make artworks like clothing, frames, ornaments, and also to cure various human diseases (wounds, gastro-intestinal disorders, liver-related problems, inflammations, various cancers, etc.). The first wave of scientific interest in F. fomentarius in Europe dates back to the early 1970s with the discovery of the red-brown pigments of the F. fomentarius external layer. Since then, a number of research papers and reviews have mentioned the history of use, taxonomy, composition and medicinal properties of some F. fomentarius preparations, e.g., soluble extracts and their fractions, isolated cell walls, mycelia and compounds purified from the culture broth. The present review is focused on the composition and benefits of the water-insoluble cell walls obtained from the F. fomentarius fruiting bodies. Isolated cell walls of the tinder mushroom reveal a fibrous hollow structure with an average diameter of 3-5 μm and a wall thickness of 0.2-1.5 μm. Naturally, the fibers are composed of 25-38% glucans, with a majority of β-glucans, around 30% polyphenols, 6% chitin and less than 2% hemicellulose. The percentage of the main structural compounds can vary either slightly or considerably, depending on the extraction conditions. According to in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo as well as clinical studies, F. fomentarius fibers can modulate the immune system, contribute to intestinal health, accelerate wound healing, absorb heavy metals, organic dyes and radionuclides, normalize kidney and liver function, and provide antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Multiple action of the insoluble cell walls purified from the F. fomentarius fruiting bodies is particularly effective in the treatment of chronic, recurring, complicated multifactorial diseases. It is certainly worth exploring the medicinal potential and the practical application of these preparations further.
火绒菌（Fomes fomentarius）的坚韧、马蹄形的子实体，俗称火绒蘑菇，传统上被世界各地用作引火材料，用于仪式目的，制作艺术品，如衣物、框架、饰品，也用于治疗各种人类疾病（伤口、胃肠道疾病、肝脏相关问题、炎症、各种癌症等）。欧洲对 F. fomentarius 的第一波科学兴趣可以追溯到 20 世纪 70 年代初，当时发现了 F. fomentarius 外层的红棕色色素。从那时起，许多研究论文和综述提到了 F. fomentarius 制剂的使用历史、分类学、组成和药用特性，例如可溶性提取物及其馏分、分离的细胞壁、菌丝体和从培养液中纯化的化合物。本综述重点介绍了从火绒菌子实体获得的水不溶性细胞壁的组成和益处。火绒菌的分离细胞壁呈现出纤维状的中空结构，平均直径为 3-5μm，壁厚为 0.2-1.5μm。天然纤维由 25-38%的葡聚糖组成，其中大部分是β-葡聚糖，约 30%的多酚，6%的几丁质，不到 2%的半纤维素。主要结构化合物的百分比可能会略有或明显变化，具体取决于提取条件。根据体外、体内、离体以及临床研究，F. fomentarius 纤维可以调节免疫系统，有助于肠道健康，加速伤口愈合，吸收重金属、有机染料和放射性核素，使肾功能和肝功能正常化，并提供抗菌、抗病毒、抗真菌、抗焦虑、抗炎和镇痛作用。从火绒菌子实体中纯化的不溶性细胞壁的多重作用在治疗慢性、复发性、复杂的多因素疾病方面特别有效。进一步探索这些制剂的药用潜力和实际应用肯定是值得的。
