Molecular target
Nerve Growth Factor Pathway
Neurotrophin family pathway involved in survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons. Lion's Mane mushroom contains hericenones and erinacines that stimulate NGF synthesis — relevant to cognitive and neuropathy applications.
Educational use only. This page summarizes published research and traditional-use records for educational purposes. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not start, stop, or change medications based on this information. Discuss any decisions about therapies — pharmaceutical or botanical — with a qualified clinician who knows your medical history.
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Pharmaceutical agents
Drugs that act on Nerve Growth Factor Pathway
These medications have Nerve Growth Factor Pathway among their molecular targets. Sharing a target is a mechanistic relationship — it does not make any plant below an alternative to, or substitute for, these drugs.
Botanical connections
Plants whose compounds act on Nerve Growth Factor Pathway
Each plant below contains a named compound documented to act on Nerve Growth Factor Pathway. The compound and the reason for the connection are shown on every edge — a shared mechanism, not a therapeutic equivalence.
- Hericenones (fruiting body)Aromatic ketone
Stimulate NGF synthesis in cultured neurons — basis for cognitive and neuropathy applications. Fruiting-body specific.
- Erinacines (mycelium)Diterpene
Lower-molecular-weight, blood-brain-barrier-penetrant compounds in mycelium — direct CNS NGF stimulation.
- BrucineIndole alkaloid
Preclinical studies report inhibition of VEGFR2 signaling, suppression of downstream kinases (Src, FAK, ERK, AKT, mTOR), reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, NO), and induction of mitochondrial apoptosis via Bcl-2/Ca²⁺ pathway in hepatoma cell lines.