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Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus) Mushroom: Nutraceutical Assesement Based on Latest Findings

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Emerging Bioresources with Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Prospects

Abstract

Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a white-rot fungus growing on birch trees. It looks like burnt coal, has edibility and is regarded a traditional medicinal mushroom in China, Russia, Poland, other Baltic countries. It is hailed as a folk remedy against diabetes, digestive disorders, intestinal worms, liver ailments, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis and cancer etc. Recently, it has grabbed attention from mainstream medicine as a therapeutic mushroom. The discovery of a diverse range of secondary metabolites including, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, melanins, lanosterol, inotodiol, ergosterol and trametenolic acid have promoted it as a potential drug candidate. Biological roles as antioxidant, antiinflammation, anticancer, immunomodulation, antiallergy, antilipemic, hypoglycaemic, antiviral, neurostimulation have been validated. This chapter delves into the biological roles and mechanisms governing the effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA

    Seema Patel

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  1. Seema Patel
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Correspondence to Seema Patel .

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Patel, S. (2015). Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus) Mushroom: Nutraceutical Assesement Based on Latest Findings. In: Emerging Bioresources with Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Prospects. Applied Environmental Science and Engineering for a Sustainable Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12847-4_11

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