The Gut Microbiota as a Mediator of the Metabolic Benefits of Fungi and Their Polysaccharides: A Review of Evidence Addressing Causality
4 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
- 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
- 3Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Cosmetology, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
- 4Planet Systems Group d.o.o., Sestara Ninković 5, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Abstract
Prebiotic supplementation has emerged as a promising strategy to ameliorate metabolic disorders through beneficial reshaping of the gut microbiota. Accumulating evidence suggests that fungi and their polysaccharides (e.g., those from Auricularia auricula-judae, Boletus edulis, Hirsutella sinensis, Isaria cicadae, Ramaria botrytoides, and Wolfiporia cocos) possess considerable potential in this context. The present review summarizes studies providing data relevant to the potential involvement of the gut microbiota in mediating the metabolic benefits of fungal interventions. Observed outcomes, potentially linked to the gut microbiota, included reductions in body, visceral fat, and liver weights, improved lipid and glycemic profiles, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and decreased circulating lipopolysaccharide, leptin, and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Upregulation of tight junction proteins in the colon implied strengthened gut barrier function. Histological analyses revealed smaller adipocytes and attenuation of hepatic steatosis. Additional effects included stimulation of white adipose tissue browning and enhanced hepatic thermogenesis. Alterations in gut microbiota composition were diverse; however, a reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was commonly reported. Furthermore, oral administration of bacterial species enriched by fungal interventions, such as Papillibacter cinnamivorans, Parabacteroides goldsteinii, Bacteroides intestinalis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Enterococcus casseliflavus, reproduced the metabolic improvements, supporting their possible mediating role. Collectively, current evidence indicates that fungi and their polysaccharides may exert metabolic benefits, at least in part, through gut microbiota modulation; however, further investigation is needed to determine the extent to which the gut microbiota contributes causally to these benefits.
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BibTeX
@article{samardzic2026microbiota,
title = {{The Gut Microbiota as a Mediator of the Metabolic Benefits of Fungi and Their Polysaccharides: A Review of Evidence Addressing Causality}},
author = {Stevan Samardžić and Dragana D. Božić and Milica Drobac and Mirjana Marčetić and Jelena Arsenijević and Djordje Medarević and Zoran Maksimović},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18193281},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13666899},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Gut Microbiota as a Mediator of the Metabolic Benefits of Fungi and Their Polysaccharides: A Review of Evidence Addressing Causality
AU - Stevan Samardžić
AU - Dragana D. Božić
AU - Milica Drobac
AU - Mirjana Marčetić
AU - Jelena Arsenijević
AU - Djordje Medarević
AU - Zoran Maksimović
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18193281
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13666899
AB - Prebiotic supplementation has emerged as a promising strategy to ameliorate metabolic disorders through beneficial reshaping of the gut microbiota. Accumulating evidence suggests that fungi and their polysaccharides (e.g., those from Auricularia auricula-judae, Boletus edulis, Hirsutella sinensis, Isaria cicadae, Ramaria botrytoides, and Wolfiporia cocos) possess considerable potential in this context. The present review summarizes studies providing data relevant to the potential involvement of the gut microbiota in mediating the metabolic benefits of fungal interventions. Observed outcomes, potentially linked to the gut microbiota, included reductions in body, visceral fat, and liver weights, improved lipid and glycemic profiles, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and decreased circulating lipopolysaccharide, leptin, and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Upregulation of tight junction proteins in the colon implied strengthened gut barrier function. Histological analyses revealed smaller adipocytes and attenuation of hepatic steatosis. Additional effects included stimulation of white adipose tissue browning and enhanced hepatic thermogenesis. Alterations in gut microbiota composition were diverse; however, a reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was commonly reported. Furthermore, oral administration of bacterial species enriched by fungal interventions, such as Papillibacter cinnamivorans, Parabacteroides goldsteinii, Bacteroides intestinalis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Enterococcus casseliflavus, reproduced the metabolic improvements, supporting their possible mediating role. Collectively, current evidence indicates that fungi and their polysaccharides may exert metabolic benefits, at least in part, through gut microbiota modulation; however, further investigation is needed to determine the extent to which the gut microbiota contributes causally to these benefits.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -