Scientists have discovered that fungal mycelium—the root-like part of mushrooms that we already eat safely—can be turned into thin films that deliver medicine to your body. Researchers grew these films from a common food fungus and tested whether they could carry drugs and release them slowly. In laboratory tests and animal studies, the films worked well and didn’t cause any harmful effects. This discovery is exciting because it means we could use natural, renewable materials instead of plastic or synthetic chemicals to help medicines reach where they need to go in your body.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Can thin films made from mushroom fungus safely deliver medicine through your mouth and into your body?
- Who participated: The research involved laboratory experiments with human cells and short-term studies in rats to test safety and how the films moved through the digestive system.
- Key finding: Mycelium films successfully carried medicine and released it in controlled ways without causing any toxic effects or problems during passage through the digestive system in animal testing.
- What it means for you: This research suggests that in the future, medicines might be delivered using natural mushroom-based materials instead of synthetic plastics. However, this is still early-stage research, and much more testing in humans would be needed before these films could be used in actual medications.
The Research Details
Scientists grew thin films from a type of fungus called Rhizopus oligosporus using a method called solid-state cultivation, which is similar to how mushrooms naturally grow. They created porous (full of tiny holes) films that were flexible and could be cut into specific shapes or grown into 3D structures using molds. The researchers then tested whether these films could hold different types of medicine—both small chemical drugs and larger particle-based formulations—and whether they could control how fast the medicine was released.
To check if the films were safe, the team tested them in two ways: first, they exposed human cells grown in laboratory dishes to the mycelium films to see if the cells were harmed, and second, they gave the films to rats and watched how they moved through the digestive system. These tests helped determine whether the material was toxic or caused any problems.
The study represents an early-stage exploration of using natural, food-safe materials for drug delivery instead of traditional synthetic polymers. This approach is important because it could reduce dependence on petroleum-based plastics and create more environmentally sustainable medicine delivery systems.
This research matters because current drug delivery systems often rely on synthetic plastics and chemicals that don’t break down easily in the environment. By using mycelium—a material that’s already part of our food supply and is completely biodegradable—scientists could create a more sustainable way to deliver medicines. Additionally, since mycelium is already recognized as safe for human consumption, it may face fewer safety hurdles than completely new synthetic materials.
This is original research published in a respected scientific journal (ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces). The study included both laboratory cell tests and animal studies, which is a standard approach for early-stage drug delivery research. However, readers should note that the sample size for animal studies wasn’t specified, and this is very early-stage research. The findings are promising but preliminary, and much more extensive testing would be needed before any human applications.
What the Results Show
The mycelium films successfully grew into porous, flexible structures that could be shaped and cut into specific forms. When researchers loaded these films with medicine, the films held the drugs securely and released them in a controlled manner—meaning the medicine didn’t all come out at once, but rather gradually over time.
When tested with human cells in the laboratory, the mycelium films showed no toxic effects, meaning they didn’t harm or kill the cells. This is an important safety indicator. In the animal studies conducted in rats, the films passed through the digestive system normally without causing any unusual problems or blockages.
The films demonstrated versatility in what they could carry—they worked with both small-molecule drugs (simple chemical medicines) and larger particulate formulations (medicines made of tiny particles). This suggests the technology could potentially be adapted for many different types of medications.
The porous structure of the films appears to be key to their function, as it allows medicine to be absorbed into the material and then released gradually. The researchers could also control how quickly medicine was released by adjusting the film’s properties.
The ability to shape mycelium films into defined 3D structures through cutting and template-guided growth is significant because it means the films could potentially be customized for different body locations or specific medical needs. The films’ mechanical compliance (flexibility) is also important because it means they could conform to the digestive tract without causing irritation or damage.
This research builds on growing interest in using natural, biodegradable materials for medicine delivery. While other researchers have explored various plant-based and fungal materials, using food-grade mycelium is relatively novel because it combines sustainability with an established safety record in human consumption. The controlled-release properties demonstrated here are similar to what synthetic polymer films can achieve, suggesting that natural materials might be able to match the performance of traditional options.
This is early-stage research with several important limitations. The animal studies were short-term, so we don’t know what happens with long-term exposure. The sample sizes for animal testing weren’t specified, which makes it harder to assess the strength of the safety conclusions. The research was conducted in laboratory conditions and in rats, not in humans, so we can’t yet say whether these results will translate to human medicine use. Additionally, the study didn’t test how the films would perform in the presence of stomach acid or digestive enzymes, which would be important for real-world oral drug delivery. More research is needed to understand how different drugs might interact with the mycelium material and whether the films would work equally well for all medication types.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, mycelium films show promise as a potential future drug delivery material, but they are not ready for human use yet. The evidence suggests they are safe in laboratory and animal testing (moderate confidence), but extensive human clinical trials would be needed before any medical applications. At this stage, this is a research direction worth pursuing, not a recommendation for any current medical use.
Pharmaceutical companies, environmental scientists, and people interested in sustainable medicine should find this research interesting. However, patients should not expect mycelium-based drug delivery systems to become available soon—this is fundamental research that may take many years to develop into actual medications. People with fungal allergies or sensitivities might want to follow future developments, as they could potentially be affected by this technology.
This research is in the very early stages. If development continues successfully, it would likely take 5-10 years or more before mycelium-based drug delivery systems could be tested in humans, and potentially 10-15+ years before they might become available in actual medications. This timeline reflects the standard process for developing and testing new drug delivery technologies.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users interested in sustainable health innovations could track ‘sustainable medicine interest’ by logging articles read, research followed, or personal goals related to environmentally-friendly healthcare options.
- While this technology isn’t yet available for personal use, users could adopt related sustainable practices: choosing medications with minimal packaging, learning about biodegradable alternatives in healthcare, or supporting companies developing eco-friendly medical products.
- Set reminders to check for updates on mycelium-based drug delivery research every 6-12 months, or follow relevant scientific journals and pharmaceutical innovation news to track progress from laboratory research toward potential human applications.
This research describes early-stage laboratory and animal studies of mycelium films for potential drug delivery applications. These findings are preliminary and have not been tested in humans. Mycelium-based drug delivery systems are not currently available for medical use. Anyone with fungal allergies or sensitivities should consult with a healthcare provider before any future use of such products. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about medications or drug delivery methods.