Gut-Brain Axis Modulatory Effects of Mushrooms in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder. It is a form of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by imbalance, tremor, muscular rigidity, problem in speaking and cognitive impairments. Global PD burden is increasing alarmingly. Levodopa, currently used medication, is out of reach of the PD patients suffering from the developing and under-developed countries. Thus, search for cost-effective, easy to find, nutraceutical-based therapeutic approaches against PD, has reached momentum. In this aspect, therapeutic suitability of mushrooms, the edible macrofungi, has been explored in this article, focusing the “gut-brain axis” proposition of PD pathogenesis.