Anticancer and Cardioprotective Properties of Medicinal Mushrooms: Current Evidence and Future Prospects

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiotoxicity is an undesirable side effect of chemotherapy that limits the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Almost all cardiotoxic agents cause cardiovascular complications, leading to oxidative stress and other pathological conditions. The search for bioactive compounds that mitigate chemotherapy‐induced cardiotoxicity is a priority in integrative cardiooncology. Content: The administration of anthracycline derivatives, particularly Doxorubicin (DOX) and Adriamycin, is limited due to the risk of development of heart failure. These drugs promote apoptosis and oxidative stress, decrease the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and increase the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The combination of DOX and natural cardioprotective agents has been shown to be an effective therapeutic strategy for improving the outcomes of cancer treatment. Mushrooms, as producers of pharmacologically active compounds with significant cardioprotective effects, have been shown to prevent DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity in in vivo models, restoring cell viability, reducing oxidative stress via mitochondria‐dependent apoptotic pathways, and improving myocardial function. Therefore, mushroom‐derived products may be effective against chemotherapy‐induced cardiotoxicity. This review discusses progress in integrative cardiooncology aimed at elucidating the cardioprotective potential of mushrooms as a preventive strategy against cardiotoxicity associated with antitumor treatment. Outlook: Further preclinical and clinical studies are needed to elucidate the antioxidant and antiinflammatory potential of mushrooms and their use as dietary supplements, given the synergistic effects of all bioactive molecules, supporting the prospect of developing clinically effective anticancer and cardioprotective agents.