This presentation was presented in Pokhara University. Under-graduate students of B. Pharm. had to present a presentation about one plant under subject topic Himalayan Crude Drugs in fifth semester.

1. Lentinula edodes
(Shiitake)
Manoj Sharma
Fifth Semester, B. Pharm.
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Pokhara University
Dhungepatan, Pokhara-30, Kaski, Nepal

2. Overview
• Introduction
• Nomenclature
• Habitat
• Cultivation & collection
• Chemical Constituents
• Traditional Uses
• Pharmacological Action
• Pharmacopoeial Standard
• Commercial value
• Formulations
• Conclusion
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https://www.traditionalfuture.com/medicinalmushrooms/
shiitake-medicinal-mushroom-extract/

3. Introduction
• Shiitake (pronounced she-TAH-key) is a scented, edible
mushroom grown in Asia.
• Shiitake usually grow anywhere from 5 to 8 cm tall.
• Shiitake Mushrooms range in color from tan to dark brown.
• They have wide open veils and tan gills, and their broad,
umbrella-shaped caps have a soft, spongy texture.
• The gills and stem of the shiitake are white.
• The shiitake has a nutty or garlicky taste and is a good source
of vitamin B and essential amino acids.
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4. Nomenclature
• Taxonomy
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Subphylum: Agaricomycotina
Class: Agaricomycetes
Subclass: Agaricomycetidae
Order: Agaricales
Genus: Lentinula
Species: L. edodes
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https://gluckspilze.com/bilder/produkte/gross/Shiitake-
Lentinula-edodes-CS-Strain-Pilzbeet-fuer-die-
biologische-Pilzzucht-gem-EU-VO-834-2007-und-889-
2008-AT-BIO-701.jpg

5. Habitat
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• Shaded, forested areas.
• Shiitake grow in groups on the decaying wood of deciduous
trees, particularly chestnut, oak, maple, sweetgum, ironwood,
and mulberry.
• Its natural habitat includes warm and moist climates in
southeast Asia.
• Hot, dry weather conditions can have a negative impact on
shiitakes, which prefer cooler, moist conditions.
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6. Cultivation & Collection
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• This mushroom is the second most widely cultivated
mushroom in the world.
• It is largely grown in Japan, China, and South Korea.
• The Shiitake is native to Asia, but has been grown in the U.S.
for over 20 years as an alternative crop.
• Various strains of Shiitake Mushrooms exist. Some strains
prefer cooler temperatures while others prefer warmer
temperatures. Therefore, shiitake production can take place
all year.
• Shiitake fruits in the spring and the autumn.
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7. Chemical Constituents
• Primary chemical constituents of shiitake include Polysaccharide
(lentinan), eritadenin, proteins, fatty acids, and vitamins D, B-2,
B-12.
• The proteins contain all of the essential amino acids, and most
commonly occurring non-essential amino acids and amides.
• The fatty acids are largely unsaturated, and Shiitake's are rich in
vitamins and minerals.
• Key therapeutic substances also present are glucans, a major
constituent of the cell walls.
• Shiitake also yields lentinan, a beta-1,3-linked glucan polysaccharide.
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8. Himalayan Crude Drugs (PHG 381) 8Thursday, February 13, 2020
Fig:- Essential Amino Acids structuresFig:- Lentinan structure
Fig:- Eritadenin structure
Chemical Constituents

9. Traditional Uses
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• The Shiitake has been used for medicinal purposes
in China since 100 AD.
• It was, and is used as/to:-
– Adaptogen (enhances mental and physical
performance, improves learning ability, and
decreases stress and fatigue).
– To improve resistance to diseases such as
cancer and diabetes.
– To improve immune function; antiviral.
– To cure colds, and to eliminate worms.

10. Pharmacological Action
• This mushroom contains a variety of constituents that have
demonstrated many actions including anti-tumor, liver protecting,
anti-viral, immune modulation, and blood pressure lowering.
• Lentinan has anti-tumor and immune stimulating properties in
humans, as well as in animals.
• Lentinan activates the alternative complement pathway, stimulating
the macrophages, thus inhibiting tumor growth. It also may activate
interleukin-1 secretion, which helps trigger T lymphocytes.
• Eritadenine is similar to nucleotides in structure, and lowers
cholesterol in animal studies.
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11. Pharmacopoeial Standard
• The stem has the highest amount of fiber (14.35-21.77%) and the
lowest amount of protein (10.21-13.64%).
• The caps contain the highest ash content i.e. (4.11-5.15%).
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Commercial Value
• Commercial preparations are available as preserved whole fruiting
bodies or extracts of fruiting bodies or mycelia.
• The retail price of Shiitake is $12 to $20 per pound.

12. Formulations
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• Dosage:
 100-400mg, 3 times daily of a standardized extract.
• The Shittake mushroom is commercially available in
many forms.
• It may be injected as a solution (1 mg/vial) or
ingested as a sugar-coated tablet, capsule,
concentrate, powdered extract, syrup, tea, wine,
and or as a medicinal dish.

13. • Shiitake has been a popular food source in the cuisine of Asia for
thousands of years.
• They are a rich source of copper, selenium, iron, zinc, dietary fiber, and
protein. It is also a good source of the B-complex, vitamin C and
vitamin D.
• Research in animal studies has shown that the Shiitake has the
potential to lower cholesterol, reduce or stop tumor growth, and
prevent viruses.
• Scientists are still researching the Shiitake to learn about the benefits it
may have to human health.
• In the future, the Shiitake may be used to cure or prevent heart
disease, AIDS, and cancer.
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Conclusion

14. References
• Jong SC, Birmingham JM. Medicinal and therapeutic value of
the shiitake mushroom. Adv Appl Microbiol. 1993;39:153-84.
• URLs:-
– https://metaboliccode.cld.bz/Herb-Monographs/434
– https://oepos.ca.uky.edu/content/shiitake-mushroom
– https://www.ediblewildfood.com/shitake.aspx
– https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/shiitake-mushrooms-
commercial-forest-farming-enterprise
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15. Thank You
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