Tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) is a mushroom belonging to the family Polyporaceae. It is native to tropical forests in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Tiger Milk Mushroom is characterized by its large, hoof-shaped fruiting body, which ranges in color from light brown to dark reddish brown. Mushrooms grow on the roots of dead or dying trees, forming a symbiotic relationship with their host plants.
Traditional use
Tiger milk mushroom has a long history of use in traditional medicine among indigenous communities in Southeast Asia. It is prized for its purported health benefits, including its ability to strengthen the immune system, increase energy and promote overall health. In traditional Malay medicine, Tiger Milk Mushroom is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-tumor properties, making it a valuable remedy for a variety of ailments.
Potential applications
Interest in Tiger Milk Mushroom has surged in recent years, leading to extensive research into its medicinal properties and potential therapeutic applications. The research focuses on elucidating the bioactive compounds present in Tiger Milk Mushroom and their pharmacological effects. Research has identified polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and proteins as key components of mushrooms’ medicinal properties. Preclinical studies have shown that these bioactive compounds possess antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities.
Respiratory health
Research results show that supplementing with tiger milk mushroom can effectively improve respiratory health, immunity, and overall antioxidant status. Therefore, supplementation with Tiger Milk Mushroom is recommended as a potential adjunctive therapy to medications currently used to treat respiratory diseases [1] .
Research results show that supplementing tiger milk mushroom significantly inhibits IL-1β, IL-8, MDA levels and respiratory symptoms [5].
Skin care
This study investigated the effects of TM02-ME, a methanol extract from Tiger Milk Mushroom, on UV-exposed human keratinocytes. The extract reduces DNA damage and cell death, increases DNA repair and skin barrier protein expression, and prevents UVB-induced cell death [2].
Another study showed that Tiger Milk Mushroom has the ability to be a beneficial ingredient in skin care applications [7].
Reduce wound inflammation
Research shows that Tiger Milk Mushroom reduces inflammation during wound healing by fighting bacterial infections, controlling pro-inflammatory cytokines, and preventing long-term inflammation and tissue damage [3].
Suppress tumors
Animal studies have shown that both the rhinoceros proteoglycan component and crude sclerotium powder of tiger milk mushroom exhibit tumor-inhibitory effects, showing strong anti-cancer potential. Further research is needed to understand the rationale and its potential as cancer prevention or adjuvant therapy [4].
Experimental results indicate that tiger milk mushroom serves as a potential dietary compound for cancer prevention and a natural adjunct to traditional cancer treatments [8].
Improve immunity
Research results show that supplementing tiger milk mushroom significantly inhibits the levels of IL-1β, IL-8, and MDA. IgA levels and total antioxidant capacity were also significantly induced. Data analysis shows that immunity is improved [5].
Anti-oxidation
Animal study results indicate that Tiger Milk Mushroom extract protects C. elegans from oxidative stress, emphasizing the antioxidant and anti-aging properties of Tiger Milk Mushroom, but further research is needed to verify its effectiveness as a supplement [6].
Safety and Risk
There are no significant or known side effects of consuming cultivated tiger milk mushroom. Make sure you use high quality, cultured and branded Tiger Milk Mushroom products.
Research shows that tiger milk mushroom sclerotia powder is safe at doses up to 1000 mg/kg in a 180-day chronic toxicity study. It does not affect the fertility of rats or cause teratogenic effects, and it did not show genotoxicity in the Ames test [9].
Regular use of tiger milk mushroom may initially cause a slight increase in phlegm. Experts say this is the body's natural response to detoxify by eliminating phlegm.
Tiger milk mushroom side effects may vary depending on the user's weight, gender, age, and other factors. Studies have found that some people experience symptoms such as fever, anxiety, irritability, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain/cramps after consuming tiger milk mushroom.
Who should not take mushroom supplements?
Tiger milk mushroom supplements can also interact with certain medications, such as:
- blood thinners
- blood pressure medication
- diabetes medications
Takeaway
Tiger milk mushroom is a fascinating organism with a rich history of traditional use and emerging scientific interest. With its diverse bioactive compounds and potential health benefits, tiger milk mushroom has the potential to become a valuable resource for modern medicine and natural health products. As research into the medicinal properties of Tiger Milk Mushroom continues, it is expected to make significant contributions to the fields of healthcare, biotechnology and biodiversity conservation.
References
[1] Tan, ESS, Leo, TK, & Tan, CK (2021). Effect of tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) supplementation on respiratory health, immunity and antioxidant status: an open-label prospective study. Scientific Reports, 11( 1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91256-6
[2] Lim, HS, Simon, SE, Yow, Y., Saidur, R., & Tan, KO (2022). Photoprotective activities of Lignosus rhinocerus in UV-irradiated human keratinocytes. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 299, 115621. https ://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115621
[3] Yap, HY, Rosli, MFA, Tan, SH, Kong, BH, & Fung, S. (2023). The Wound Healing Potential of Lignosus rhinocerus and Other Ethno-myco Wound Healing Agents. Mycobiology, 51(1) , 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/12298093.2022.2164641
[4] Ng, MJ, Kong, BH, Teoh, K., Yap, YH, Ng, ST, Tan, CS, Razif, MFM, & Fung, SY (2023). In vivo anti-tumor activity of Lignosus rhinocerus TM02 ® using a MCF7-xenograft NCr nude mice model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 304, 115957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115957
[5] Tan, ESS, Leo, TK, & Tan, CK (2021b). Effect of tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) supplementation on respiratory health, immunity and antioxidant status: an open-label prospective study. Scientific Reports, 11( 1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91256-6
[6] Kittimongkolsuk, P., Roxo, M., Li, H., Chuchawankul, S., Wink, M., & Tencomnao, T. (2021). Extracts of the Tiger Milk Mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) Enhance Stress Resistance and Extend Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans via the DAF-16/FoxO Signaling Pathway. Pharmaceuticals, 14(2), 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14020093
[7] Fung, S., Yeannie, HYY, Ng, S., & Tan, CS (2022). In Vitro Inhibition of Melanin Formation and Enhancement of Collagen Production by a Mushroom Sclerotial Water Extract from the Tiger Milk Mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerus (Agaricomycetes), with No Skin and Eye Irritation. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 24(5), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.2022043505
[8] Yap, HYY, Kong, BH, Yap, CSA, Ong, KC, Zain, RB, Tan, SH, Zaini, ZM, Ng, ST, Tan, CS, & Fung, SY (2021). Immunomodulatory Effect and an Intervention of TNF Signalling Leading to Apoptotic and Cell Cycle Arrest on ORL-204 Oral Cancer Cells by Tiger Milk Mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerus. Food Technology and Biotechnology, 60(1), 80–88. https://doi.org/10.17113 /ftb.60.01.22.7296
[9] Lee, SS, Enchang, FK, Tan, NH, Fung, SY, & Pailoor, J. (2013). Preclinical toxicological evaluations of the sclerotium of Lignosus rhinocerus (Cooke), the Tiger Milk mushroom. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 147(1), 157–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.02.027