Medicinal, Nutritional, and Cosmetic Values of Macrofungi Distributed in Mazandaran Province of Northern Iran (Review)

A total of 82 species and 2 variations of medicinal and edible macrofungi (Basidiomycota and Ascomy-cota) have been collected and identified in Mazandaran Province of Northern Iran. Among these species, 58 possess medicinal and culinary properties, whereas 21 possess only medicinal properties (antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, an-timutagenic, antioxidant, antitumor, antiplatelet, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, neurotropic, hypotensive, insec-ticidal, immunomodulating, mitogenic/regenerative, spasmolytic, etc.). No medicinal effect has yet been reported for 4 species (Cantharellus infundibuliformis, Mycena inclinata, Suillus collinitus, Xerocomus porosporus) and 2 variations (Pluteus cervinus var. albus, Russula cyanoxantha var. variata) of edible species. Among the listed species, 15 (such as Auricularia auricula-judae, Hericium erinaceus, Fomes fomentarius, Flammulina velutipes, Ganoderma lucidum, Lyophyllum decastes, Pleurotus ostreatus, Tremella mesenterica) are currently used for manufacturing organic cosmetic products. The well-known mushrooms with medicinal properties (e.g., Auricularia auricula-judae, Flammulina velutipes, Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, G. tsugae, G. adspersum, Trametes versicolor) and excellent edibility (e.g., Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Morchella esculenta, Pleurotus ostreatus) are widely distributed in the studied area. The biological resources of macrofungi growing in Mazandaran Province of Northern Iran possess medicinal, nutritional, and cosmetic values and could be further used for biotechnological exploitation to develop mushroom-derived pharmaceuticals, nutriceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals.