Investigation of the regenerative effect of lion's mane (hericium erinaceus) mushroom in experimental peripheral neuropathy

Aden M, Investigation of the regenerative effect of lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) mushroom in experimental peripheral neuropathy, Van Yuzuncu Yıl University, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine; Department of Physiology, Thesis for Master of Science, Van, 2018. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is an substantial, dose-limiting side effect in cancer patients. Cis-dichlorodiamine (II) platinum (CDDP, cisplatin) is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent. Cisplatin, which is listed in the World Health Organization's List of Essential Drugs, is widely used in the treatment of various solid tumors such as head, neck, small cell lung cancer, testis, ovary, brain and bladder cancers. Neurotoxicity is the most common and dose limiting side effect of cisplatin. Severe acute and chronic peripheral neuropathies are seen in 30% of cancer patients receiving cisplatin therapy. In this context, it is very important to take preventive measures against peripheral neuropathy complications while increasing the quality of life of cancer patients with chemotherapy. For this reason, researches into the discovery of new, effective, and safe neuroprotective agents have become widespread in recent years. Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) mushroom (LMM), an edible and medical fungus, has been widely consumed in Eastern Asian countries for thousands of years. It has been reported that LMM has an anticarcinogenic effect and has therapeutic activities related to nerve and brain health. In this study, a peripheral neuropathy model was established in cisplatin-sensitive BALB/c mice. The warm water extract of LMM was prepared, applied to the animals intraperitoneally. The effects on peripheral nerves were investigated by live weight test, electromyographic examination and immunohistochemical techniques. The findings confirmed that a peripheral neuropathy model was established. Morphological and functional findings showed that LMM initiated peripheral nerve regeneration in animals with peripheral neuropathy. However, the difference between the LMM treatment group and the cisplatin group (LMM) was not statistically significant. Longterm and further studies are needed to clarify the regenerative capacity of the LMM.