Snow Fungus

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• Definition
• Introduction
• Signs & Symptoms
• Research Summary

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Executive Summary

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Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Research into Chinese medicine treatment for Snow Fungus" summarising the research below and using language that can be easily understood by patients and avoiding medical jargon using a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Researched Chinese medicine treatments for Snow Fungus" summarising the research below in an objective and easy to understand way, and using language that can be easily understood by patients. Group the article into Chinese medicine treatments first, followed by nutrition and other treatments. Avoid using medical jargon and use a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write me a concise but easy to understand executive summary on the topic of "Chinese medicine treatments for Snow Fungus" based on the following research that I will give you. Your summary should be 2 paragraphs long in Australian English spelling and include references to the studies.

A Animal Study published in 2024 in the journal International Journal of Biological Macromolecules found that A polysaccharide from Tremella aurantialba improves ulcerative colitis symptoms by targeting epithelial cell ferroptosis and modulating the gut microbiota. The methodology used in this research involved isolating TA 2-1, a specific polysaccharide from Tremella Aurantialba, and studying its effects on ulcerative colitis. This was done by introducing it to Caco-2 cells that were undergoing ferroptosis and assessing its impact on cell viability. The influence of TA 2-1 was also examined in mice with artificially induced ulcerative colitis, verifying its ameliorating effects in an in-vivo context. The structure of TA 2-1 and its components were analysed and the polysaccharide's interaction with gut microbiota was explored to understand how it might modulate symptoms or prevent cell death. The results of this study showed that TA 2-1 does not only decrease the rate of cell death in epithelial cells undergoing ferroptosis, but it also repairs the intestinal barrier by upregulating specific proteins such as claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1. TA 2-1 was also found to suppress lipid peroxidation, thus inhibiting ferroptosis. Further investigation revealed that TA 2-1 may alleviate ulcerative colitis by influencing the composition or metabolites of gut microbiota. This research offers promising insight into the potential of TA 2-1 in treating ulcerative colitis.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2023 in the journal Nutrients found that A beverage formula containing fish roe, snow fungus, and yeast enhances cognitive function by improving memory, response times, and emotional recognition, while reducing anxiety and fatigue. In the study, 64 volunteers were divided into two equal groups, with one group consuming a placebo and the other consuming the formula beverage for a duration of 8 weeks. Cognitive testing was performed initially and at two follow-up points, weeks 4 and 8. Variables tested included memory recall, identification of objects over time, response times, emotional recognition from facial expressions and self-reported anxiety and fatigue levels. The results demonstrated that by weeks 4 and 8, those who consumed the formula beverage showed notable advancements in cognitive functions. These individuals were able to remember objects better and had quicker response times. Notably, they also registered a significant improvement in recognizing happy faces and displayed reduced anxiety and fatigue. Overall, the beverage holds promise as an intervention tool for cognitive improvement in individuals reporting subjective cognitive issues.

A Experimental Study published in 2022 in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology found that Oral administration of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides may constitute a new, effective therapy for Atopic dermatitis, improving both immune response and intestinal microbiota. In the methodology of this study, the therapeutic effects of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (these have multiple biological activities), on Atopic dermatitis, were examined through both topical application and oral administration on mice induced with Atopic dermatitis-like disorder. The changes across transdermal water loss, epidermal thickening, and ear edema in the affected mice were observed. Notably, the study also considered the polysaccharides' impacts on the proportion of specific regulatory T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes of the mice. The results showed that both therapeutic methods positively impacted the conditions of the affected mice, with oral administration offering superior efficacy over topical application. The oral administration of the polysaccharides led to an increase of specific regulatory T cells, evidence of immune regulation. Further, non-targeted metabolomics and sequencing of certain DNA amplicons pointed towards observable modulation in fecal metabolites and a changed composition of gut microbiota in the mice following the oral treatment.

A Experimental Study published in 2021 in the journal International Journal of Biological Macromolecules found that Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides effectively reduce inflammation in ulcerative colitis, promoting healing by restoring intestinal and mucus barrier functions. In this study, two models were utilized to investigate the impacts of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides on ulcerative colitis: a dextran sodium sulfate-induced mice model and a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated model using Caco-2 cells. First, the dextran sodium sulfate-induced mice ulcerative colitis model was administered with the Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides. Effects were observed across several indicators such as body weight, colon length, and thickness, as well as intestinal permeability. Following that, histopathological analysis and electron microscope examinations helped delve deeper into the relationship, uncovering a reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and a restoration of the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. The lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Caco-2 cells model was used to further understand the role of these polysaccharides in reducing expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing expressions related to intestinal barrier and mucus barrier.

A Systematic Review published in 2021 in the journal International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology found that Tremella polysaccharide is a safe natural active ingredient, which can be used in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases. Tremella polysaccharide is a full-functioning active substance, and any of its activities are not independent, but complementary to other activities. For example, Tremella polysaccharides can participate in various physiological activities such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, inflammation and aging by regulating the expression of SIRT1 protein, which is in line with the guidelines of eastern medicine to maintain the dynamic balance of the human body through conditioning. Tremella polysaccharides are non-toxic and harmless natural ingredients that can be used for long-term contact with the human body by smearing or oral administration. It means that Tremella polysaccharides are suitable for the daily health needs of sub-healthy people and can be widely used in food, medicine and daily chemical products.

A Systematic Review published in 2021 in the journal Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that These results indicate that a certain concentration of snow fungus polysaccharides can effectively alleviate skin damage caused by UVA, and they may be used as an effective component of cosmetics. Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFPS) pretreatment can reduce the oxidative stress of UVA-treated human dermal fibroblasts cells. After TFPS pretreatment, the content of ROS and MDA in the cell decreased significantly and the total antioxidant activity was increased. Among them, the active of CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px in the cells increased significantly. TFPS can also protect fibroblasts by up-regulating Nrf2 and down-regulating Keap1 expression. Finally, it was also found that TFPS pretreatment increased the content of collagen I, elastin, and hyaluronic acid (HA) in skin fibroblasts treated with UVA.

A Systematic Review published in 2020 in the journal Amazonian Journal of Plant Research found that The most important tremella mushroom benefits are anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, lower cholesterol, combat obesity, protect nerves and may fight cancer. The most powerful nutritional constituents of Tremella are amino acids, vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides, Glucurmomannan 1,3-alpha-glucan, Epitope 9beta-D- glucuronosyl), Glucuronic acid, Glucurmic acid, Glucuronoxylomannan, N-acetylglucosamine, Flavonoids, Polyphenols, Alkaloids and Organic acids. Functional foods are making inroads into Chinese diets with their promises to improve health and nutrition. Chinese consumers should choose nutritional and healthy food to maintain general health and reduce the risk of health problems. Nutrition therapy on the basis of traditional Chinese medicine such tremella is quite effective at treating common diseases.

A Cohort Study published in 2019 in the journal Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that Pregnant women's stature, BMI, sedentary lifestyle, as well as the regular consumption of certain foods, influence the formation and severity of striae gravidarum. The study involved 400 primiparas from the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University in Wuxi, during the period of February to October 2017. The participants were divided into two groups of 200: one with pregnant women showing signs of striae gravidarum and one without this symptom. The study considered a variety of predictive factors including their age, height, pre and post-pregnancy BMI, daily sitting time, weight gain during pregnancy, and diet on the mothers and their infant's weight. In the research results, it was observed that women who had striae gravidarum were generally shorter and had a higher BMI both before and after giving birth. Sedentary women showed a lower incidence of abdominal striae gravidarum but higher incidence of striae gravidarum on the legs, with no significant difference in hip striae gravidarum. Interestingly, the consumption of foods like honey, milk, trotters, freshwater fish, eggs, and tremella appeared to reduce the incidence of striae gravidarum. The severity of the stretch marks also varied depending on lifestyle factors.

A Network Pharmacology published in 2019 in the journal Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science found that Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide, a major bioactive component in the edible medicinal mushroom, exhibits substantial health benefits, including enhancing the immune system, combatting tumors, and delaying aging. The study analyzed various fractions of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (TFPS) which is extracted from the "Yiner" mushroom under different conditions leading to variations in molecular weight. The TFPS comprises various monosaccharides including mannose, xylose, fucose, glucuronic acid, glucose, and galactose. One of the characterized structures consists of a linear mannose backbone with branched off chains of xylose, fucose and glucuronic acid. Biochemical, pharmacological, and clinical studies involving TFPS spanning 46 years (1972-2018) were drawn from the likes of PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang database and comprehensively reviewed. Over one hundred independent studies pointed to the multiple physiological and health-promoting effects of TFPS. These include benefits such as immunomodulation, antitumor, anti-oxidation, anti-aging, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects. An example of its practical application is its usage in enteric-coated capsules, approved by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration in 2002, to treat cancer patients suffering from leukopenia induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This component is also used as a supplementary drug for the treatment of chronic persistent hepatitis and chronic active hepatitis, showing the versatility and progressive impact of TFPS.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2018 in the journal Journal of Medicinal Food found that Tremella fuciformis, as a nutritional supplement, safely improved subjective memory complaints and cognitive functions in individuals suffering from subjective cognitive impairment. Seventy-five individuals with subjective cognitive impairment were included in an 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Participants received either Tremella fuciformis (300mg/day or 600mg/day) or a placebo. The key point of assessment was fluctuations in questionnaire scores evaluating subjective memory complaints. Secondary measures involved changes in short-term memory and executive function performances, assessed using standardized cognitive tests. Effects on grey matter volume were examined using voxel-based morphometry. The Tremella fuciformis group showed significant improvements in total questionnaire scores related to subjective memory complaints compared to the placebo group. Alongside this, substantial improvements were recorded in short-term memory and executive functions within the same group. Factors such as left precuneus, right supramarginal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and right postcentral gyrus revealed significant group-to-visit interactions with no notable increase in adverse events among both high dose and low dose Tremella fuciformis groups, and the placebo group. These findings emphasize the potential of Tremella fuciformis as a safe nutritional supplement to alleviate subjective memory complaints and boost cognitive functions in individuals with subjective cognitive impairment.

A Systematic Review published in 2017 in the journal Molecular Medicine Reports found that Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide alleviated hydrogen peroxide‑induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in skin fibroblasts via upregulation of SIRT1 expression, indicating that TFPS may act as a potential therapeutic agent for oxidative‑stress‑associated skin diseases and aging. We demonstrated that pretreatment with TFPS suppressed H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in skin fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent manner and possessed excellent antioxidative properties. Therefore, our present findings may provide a theoretical basis for TFPS as an alternative herbal food supplement and potential pharmacotherapy for skin injury and aging. However, given that TFPS contains several polysaccharides and has a variety of pharmacological effects, our study, which focused on oxidative stress inhibition and anti-apoptotic effects, has limitations. Further studies are required to define the potential protective mechanisms of TFPS in H2O2-induced skin injury. In summary, we revealed that TFPS exhibits protective properties against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis mainly by upregulating SIRT1 and promoting downstream signaling, suggesting that TFPS is a potential therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related skin diseases and skin aging.

A Network Pharmacology published in 2016 in the journal Molecular Medicine Reports found that Purified polysaccharides extracted from Tremella aurantialba mycelium have improved antioxidant properties and stimulate immune response in macrophage cells. The study researched the physiochemical and biological properties of crude and purified mycelium polysaccharides from Tremella aurantialba mycelium. A series of physiochemical properties were examined including total sugar, uronic acid and protein content, monosaccharide type and structure, as well as molecular weight. The antioxidant activity of these polysaccharides was studied via their reducing power and scavenging activity of different radicals. Additionally, the study evaluated the potential immunostimulatory activity of these polysaccharides by examining their effects on the proliferation, nitric oxide production and cytokine secretion of a certain type of cell. In the results, it was found that the purified mycelium polysaccharide consisted mainly of three types of sugars and its molecular weight was determined. Comparing the total carbohydrate content, it was discovered that the purified mycelium polysaccharide has significantly higher carbohydrate content compared to its crude counterpart. From the analysis of antioxidant and immunostimulatory activities, the purified polysaccharide showed improved antioxidant properties and the ability to induce macrophage proliferation, nitric oxide production and secretion of several chemicals involved in immune response. This indicates a possible correlation between the total carbohydrate content and the enhanced antioxidant and immunostimulatory activities.

A published in 2007 in the journal Mycobiology found that Tremella fuciformis, a mushroom, shows potential as a protective agent against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's by promoting cell growth and reducing toxicity. The methodology involved testing the neurotrophic effects of Tremella fuciformis, a mushroom, using a hot water extract of it. This testing was done by utilizing microscopic monitoring of its ability to encourage neurite outgrowth in PC12h cells, essentially examining the mushroom's ability to stimulate nerve growth. The researchers compared the effectiveness of the extract to other natural substances that had previously been studied in promoting nerve growth. In the discussion of results, the study demonstrated that the hot water extract of T. fuciformis was highly effective at promoting neurite outgrowth in PC12h cells. This effectiveness outperformed other natural substances in previous studies. Moreover, when the cells were treated with T. fuciformis extract before being exposed to a β-amyloid peptide treatment (which is associated with Alzheimer's disease), the extract significantly reduced the toxicity. This suggests the potential application of T. fuciformis as a preventative measure in counteracting neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

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