Chinese scientists have identified a rare mushroom compound that could open a new frontier in the treatment of brain injuries caused by oxygen deprivation.
A team led by Chuan Xiong at the Biotechnology and Nuclear Technology Research Institute, part of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has isolated a peptide from Morchella importuna—a mushroom prized for its medicinal properties—which appears to protect brain cells after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a condition that often causes severe damage or death in newborns.
The research, published in Food Science and Human Wellness, builds on earlier work in which the team extracted the peptide, dubbed MIP-15, for its ability to neutralize free radicals. In the latest experiments, scientists used a neonatal rat model of brain injury and found that MIP-15 restored antioxidant activity, reduced swelling, improved brain tissue health, and enhanced memory and motor performance.
Further testing on rat hippocampal neurons under oxygen-glucose deprivation revealed that MIP-15 prevented mitochondrial breakdown—a key trigger of cell death—by stabilizing membrane potential, halting the release of cytochrome c, boosting protective Bcl-2 proteins, and reducing caspase activation.
“This peptide could be a game-changer in neuroprotection,” Xiong said. “Its ability to both scavenge free radicals and block apoptosis pathways opens new treatment possibilities.”
The discovery could have broad commercial and clinical implications, from pharmaceuticals to functional foods. While more research is needed before human trials, scientists say the findings mark a significant advance in developing therapies for HIE and other brain injuries.
Download the Ebook now
