Hericenones + Erinacines
The Lion's Mane compounds that induce NGF and cross the blood-brain barrier
Definition
Hericenones and erinacines are the two families of bioactive compounds in lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus). Hericenones (A-H) occur in the fruiting body, while erinacines (A-K) are found in the mycelium. Both are small, lipophilic molecules able to cross the blood-brain barrier, where they stimulate synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) in astrocytes and neurons. This NGF induction supports neuronal survival, neuroplasticity, and neurogenesis, and underpins the interest in lion's mane for cognitive health and neurological longevity.
Detailed explanation
Hirokazu Kawagishi isolated and characterized erinacines A, B, and C from Hericium erinaceus mycelium as potent stimulators of NGF synthesis, and later the hericenones from the fruiting body. The two groups act complementarily: erinacines are cyathane diterpenoids that strongly induce neurotrophin transcription, whereas hericenones — aromatic derivatives — appear to potentiate NGF-activated signaling pathways. Their small size and lipophilicity let them cross the blood-brain barrier, which NGF itself cannot, being a large protein.
NGF belongs to the neurotrophin family (alongside BDNF) and governs the growth, maintenance, and survival of cholinergic neurons central to memory and learning. NGF induction by these compounds has been documented in vitro (1321N1 astroglial cells) and in vivo. Clinically, Mori's double-blind trial (2009) showed cognitive improvement in adults with mild cognitive impairment after 16 weeks of fruiting-body extract, and later studies using erinacine A-enriched mycelium reported benefits in early Alzheimer's disease. This is why the canonical recommendation is a dual extract (fruiting body + mycelium): it captures hericenones and erinacines together.
Scientific sources
- PubMed — Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial (Mori, Phytother Res 2009)
- PubMed — Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells
- PubMed — Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia: a Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
- PubMed — Two novel diterpenoids, erinacines H and I from the mycelia of Hericium erinaceum (Kawagishi)
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