Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Trametes versicolor (Coriolus versicolor) is not only an edible mushroom but it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a supplement for therapeutic benefits for thousands of years. Historically, this mushroom was steeped in boiling water to gain access to its properties. Today, a molecular weight of about 100,000 polysaccharide peptides, PSK (polysaccharide-K), purified from Trametes versicolor mushroom mycelia from the CM-101 strain was suggested to be responsible for the biological activities. PSK (Krestin) prepared in Japan has demonstrated a significant anti-tumor effect against allogeneic tumors such as Sarcoma 180 when administered intraperitoneally or orally. Although the anti-tumor activity of PSK has been well documented, there is a paucity of information on the nerve regeneration and repair properties of PSK. Recently, the use of PSK has been linked with memory improvements in a mouse model of dementia. Therefore, we will discuss the potentials of PSK as nutraceutical or nutraceuticals to help in the reduction or even prevention of age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Biography

Yen-Po Chen got his Masterâ??s degree in Institute of Biotechnology National Tsing Hua University (2011) in Taiwan. He is expertise in the biochemistry and cell biology of neurodegeneration. He is currently a researcher of Bio-engineering Center in Grape king BIO Ltd. His research focuses on the functional development of Trametes versicolor mycelium and neurodegenerative diseases research.