Tremella Fuciformis, aka Snow Mushroom, has an ethereal white jelly-like appearance. Studies have shown that Tremella Fuciformis helps protect against cognitive decline (Alzheimer's Disease and MCI), as well as increase overall learning and memory ability. Tremella Fuciformis also alleviates free radical activity and reduces inflammation in the brain.
Park, K. J., Lee, S., Kim, H., Yamazaki, M., Chiba, K., & Ha, H. (2007).The Neuroprotective and Neurotrophic Effects of Tremella fuciformis in PC12h Cells.Mycobiology,35(1), 11. doi:10.4489/myco.2007.35.1.011
Conclusion: “When cells were treated with the hot water extract ofT. fuciformis prior to β-amyloid peptide treatment (active domain of A peptide 25~35 treated), toxicity was significantly diminished (p<0.01). These results suggest thatT. fuciformis might potentially be used as a precautionary agent in neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease, etc.”
Shen, T., Duan, C., Chen, B., Li, M., Ruan, Y., Xu, D., . . . Wang, C. (2017).Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide suppresses hydrogen peroxide-triggered injury of human skin fibroblasts via upregulation of SIRT1. Molecular Medicine Reports,16(2), 1340-1346. doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.6754
Conclusion:“These results indicated that TFPS 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.”
Ruan, Y., Li, H., Pu, L., Shen, T., & Jin, Z. (2018).Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides Attenuate Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Macrophages through miR-155. Analytical Cellular Pathology,2018, 1-10. doi:10.1155/2018/5762371
Conclusion: “In this study, we investigated the protective effects of TFPS in LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in macrophages and sought to gain novel insights into how TFPS regulates macrophage inflammation. Our results revealed that TFPS could attenuate free radical production and alleviate the inflammatory reaction by regulating the nuclear translocation of NFκB. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms of TFPS in the regulation of macrophage inflammation and a new potential treatment for inflammation-related diseases.”
Ban, S., Lee, S. L., Jeong, H. S., Lim, S. M., Park, S., Hong, Y. S., & Kim, J. E. (2018).Efficacy and Safety of Tremella fuciformis in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medicinal Food,21(4), 400-407. doi:10.1089/jmf.2017.4063
Conclusion: “The individuals in the TF group showed greater improvements in the total scores on the subjective memory complaint questionnaire compared with those in the placebo group. There were also significantly greater improvements in short-term memory and executive functions in the TF group relative to the placebo group. Exploratory analysis demonstrated that there were significant group-by-visit interactions on the left precuneus, right supramarginal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and right postcentral gyrus at corrected P < .05”
Kim, J. H., Ha, H., Lee, M., Kang, J., Kim, H., Lee, S., . . . Shim, I. (2007).Effect of Tremella fuciformis on the Neurite Outgrowth of PC12h Cells and the Improvement of Memory in Rats.Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin,30(4), 708-714. doi:10.1248/bpb.30.708
Conclusion: “Oral daily treatment with TF (100 or 400 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days significantly reversed the scopolamine-induced deficit in learning and memory, and it alleviated decrease in cholinergic immunoreactivity induced by scopolamine in the medial septum and hippocampus.”
Li, H., Lee, H., Kim, S., Moon, B., & Lee, C. (2014).Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Methanol Extracts of Tremella fuciformis and Its Major Phenolic Acids. Journal of Food Science,79(4). doi:10.1111/1750-3841.12393
Wen, L., Gao, Q., Ma, C., Ge, Y., You, L., Liu, R. H., . . . Liu, D. (2016).Effect of polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis on UV-induced photoaging. Journal of Functional Foods,20, 400-410. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2015.11.014
Conclusion: “TP could efficiently reduce the water and collagen losses of the skin, and inhibit the increase of glycosaminoglycans. Moreover, a histopathological study showed that, UV-induced skin structural alterations were alleviated as well as repairing endogenous collagen breakdown and maintaining the ratio of type I/III collagen, after oral treatment of TP. The activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT were increased compared to the irradiated control group without treatment.Accordingly, TP can be used as a potential functional food supplement for skin function protection.”