Ganoderma – A therapeutic fungal biofactory

Abstract

Ganoderma is a basidiomycete white rot fungus which has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries particularly in China, Japan and Korea. A great deal of work has been carried out on Ganoderma lucidum. The common names for preparations include Lingzhi, Munnertake, Sachitake, Reishi and Youngzhi. This review collates the publications detailing activities and compounds by representative species whilst considering the most valid claims of effectiveness. The biological activities reported of preparations from Ganoderma are remarkable and given most emphasis herein as distinct from structure/activity information. The metabolites consist of mainly polysaccharides and terpenoids. Many are activities against the major diseases of our time and so the present review is of great importance. The list of effects is huge ranging from anti-cancer to relieving blockages of the bladder. However, the reports have not all been tested scientifically with the convincing evidence is reserved for assays of pure compounds. It is a prime example of an ancient remedy being of great relevance to the modern era. There does appear to be an assumption that the therapeutic effects attributed to the fungus have been proven. The next step is to produce some effective medicines which may be hampered by problems of mass production.

Antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum

“…Further, it has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antihypertensive, antihistaminic and antihepatotoxic effects. Cytotoxic triterpenoids and immunomodulating polysaccharides are the major chemical constituents of G. lucidum (5). In vitro studies showed that the administration of polysaccharides isolated from G. lucidum spores could effectively inhibit growth in mice with transplanted S180 sarcoma (6).…”

Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide on CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A Activities in BCG-Immune Hepatic Injury in Rats

“…1) More than one hundred species of bioactive components have been isolated from G. lucidum, 2) such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids and alkaloids, in which that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLPS) is one of the major active components. Its multiple pharmacological effects, such as antitumor, 3) antioxidation, 4) immunomodulation 5,6) and especially hepatoprotection against chemical or immune hepatic damage, 4,7) have been demonstrated in many animal models in vivo and in vitro.…”

“…9) However, whether P450 down-regulation is a homeostatic mechanism or a pathophysiological phenomenon has not been elucidated. On the other hand, because G. lucidum is currently popularly used as self-medication in East Asia, 1) thus, it is needed to be investigated that whether GLPS influences P450 metabolic activity.…”

Current and future perspective on antimicrobial and anti-parasitic activities of Ganoderma sp.: an update

“…has been used for treatment in various diseases over a long period (Paterson 2006). Our review clearly showed that compounds from Ganoderma sp., under the extensive in vivo and pharmacological research, can be used in various microorganisms and parasitic diseases.…”

“…A search for “Ganoderma” in the database Index Fungorum displayed 409 species records, including synonyms (http://www.speciesfungorum.org). Ganoderma sp., especially G. lucidum, G. tsugae and G. applanatum, are well studied and have been in use in East Asian countries since the ancient times for the treatment of various diseases (Ofodile et al 2005; Paterson 2006; Ferreira et al 2015). Triterpenes and polysaccharides are considered key constituents isolated from fruiting bodies, gills, spores and mycelia for their bioactivities (Xia et al 2014).…”