Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: H003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.H003
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, H003 (2025)
Mushroom extracts – new opportunities for veterinary medicine
Beata Drzewiecka1*
1 Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, Sub-Department of Pathophysiology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: beata.drzewiecka@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
The growing interest in natural therapies has led to an increased exploration of medicinal mushrooms and their potential applications in veterinary medicine. Traditionally used in human medicine, mushrooms are now being recognized for their diverse bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and phenolic compounds, which exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study aims to evaluate the potential of mushroom extracts as novel therapeutic agents for various animal health conditions. This research involved the extraction of bioactive compounds from selected medicinal mushrooms, including Ganoderma lucidum, Fomitopsis betulina. The extraction methods employed were optimized to maximize the yield and purity of the target compounds. The extracts were then subjected to in vitro assays to evaluate their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory activities. Furthermore, in vivo studies were conducted on animal models to assess the efficacy and safety of the mushroom extracts in treating specific health conditions, such as inflammatory diseases and immune disorders. The in vitro assays revealed that the mushroom extracts exhibited significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Notably, the Ganoderma lucidum extract showed potent immunomodulatory effects, enhancing the proliferation of lymphocytes and the production of cytokines. The in vivo studies demonstrated that the administration of mushroom extracts resulted in a significant improvement in the clinical signs and pathological changes in animals with inflammatory diseases. The extracts also enhanced the immune response in animals with immune disorders, leading to a reduction in disease severity. These findings suggest that mushroom extracts have promising therapeutic potential for various animal health conditions. This study provides compelling evidence for the efficacy of mushroom extracts as novel therapeutic agents in Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie Copyright © 2025 Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie 2 veterinary medicine. The diverse bioactive compounds present in these extracts offer a wide range of pharmacological activities, making them suitable for treating various animal health conditions. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action and to optimize the therapeutic applications of mushroom extracts in veterinary practice.
Keywords: mushrooms, veterinary medicine, biochemistry, biotechnology
How to cite
B. Drzewiecka, 2025. Mushroom extracts – new opportunities for veterinary medicine. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.H003