Comprehensive review of bioactive compounds and nutritional potential of Hericium coralloides

Hericium coralloides, commonly known as the coral tooth mushroom, is a rare edible and medicinal fungus that has attracted increasing research attention, particularly regarding its bioactive metabolites. Despite its long history of traditional and nutritional use, no dedicated review has summarized the available data on its nutritional composition, secondary metabolites, and associated biological activities. This review provides an overview of the nutritional profile, identified bioactive metabolites, including corallocins, hericenes, erinacines, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids and corresponding reported biological activities in cell-based in vitro and in vivo animal models, together with brief insights into the cultivation methods, taxonomy and morphology of H. coralloides. In vitro and in vivo animal model studies report neuroprotective, anticancer, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial properties of H. coralloides extracts and isolated compounds, whereas clinical data in humans are currently absent. Overall, this narrative review assesses the current evidence on H. coralloides and evaluates its potential, both promising preliminary findings, knowledge gaps and relevance for nutraceutical or functional food development.