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Lion's Mane Mushroom and Hydrogels: A Breakthrough in Wound Healing

In an exciting development at the intersection of mycology and biomedical engineering, researchers have demonstrated the potential of Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) extracts in advanced wound-healing applications. The study, conducted by Pinida Joradon and colleagues from King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok and the National Nanotechnology Center in Thailand, focuses on the creation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) hydrogel film composites for controlled release of ergosterol—a bioactive compound found in Lion’s Mane mushrooms.


Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) fungus spines, Shirokikh125 on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) fungus spines, Shirokikh125 on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Ergosterol: A Versatile Bioactive Compound


Ergosterol, the primary sterol in fungal cell membranes, is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycaemic properties. Despite its therapeutic potential, the compound has low solubility in water, which limits its bioavailability. By integrating ergosterol into PVA/CS hydrogels, the researchers aimed to enhance its solubility and control its release, making it suitable for medical applications such as wound healing.


The Hydrogel Innovation


Hydrogels are versatile materials composed of polymer matrices capable of absorbing large amounts of water. They are widely used in drug delivery and tissue engineering. In this study, the research team created hydrogels by combining PVA and CS, two biocompatible polymers, with Lion’s Mane mushroom extracts. The addition of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as a crosslinking agent further enhanced the mechanical properties and stability of the hydrogels.


  1. Ergosterol Enrichment and Extraction: Using supercritical CO2 extraction, the team obtained ergosterol-enriched extracts from Lion’s Mane mushrooms. The process yielded 37.17 mg of ergosterol per gram of extract, highlighting the efficacy of this green extraction method.

  2. Wound-Healing Potential: Laboratory tests revealed that the Lion’s Mane extract significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration in fibroblast cells, crucial for wound healing. At a concentration of 1 mg/mL, the extract exhibited no cytotoxic effects, with cell viability ranging from 94.6% to 97.4%.

  3. Controlled Release of Ergosterol: The hydrogels demonstrated a controlled release of ergosterol over 300 minutes in phosphate buffer solutions, mimicking conditions on human skin. This slow release ensures a sustained therapeutic effect, reducing the need for frequent applications.

  4. Enhanced Swelling Properties: The hydrogels showed high water absorption capacity, with swelling ratios reaching up to 625%. This feature is essential for maintaining a moist environment conducive to wound healing.

  5. Biocompatibility and Structure: Scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the uniform and compact structure of the hydrogels, with excellent miscibility between the PVA, CS, and mushroom extract components.


Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) fungus growing in a rotten log, Lukas Large on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) fungus growing in a rotten log, Lukas Large on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0

Applications and Future Directions


The study highlights the potential of Lion’s Mane mushroom extracts in creating advanced wound dressings. By combining the medicinal properties of ergosterol with the versatility of hydrogels, this innovation addresses challenges in traditional wound care, such as frequent dressing changes and suboptimal drug delivery.


The research team envisions further development of these hydrogels for broader medical applications, including tissue scaffolds and drug delivery systems. However, additional studies are needed to optimise the formulation for longer release times and to evaluate its efficacy in vivo. By harnessing the bioactive compounds in Lion’s Mane mushrooms, researchers have taken a significant step toward sustainable, effective solutions for wound care and beyond.

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