The mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has been used for centuries in Asian countries to treat various diseases and to promote health and longevity. Clinical studies have shown beneficial effects of G. lucidum as an alternative adjuvant therapy in cancer patients without obvious toxicity. G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) is the main bioactive component in the water soluble extracts of this mushroom. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies has demonstrated that GLP possesses potential anticancer activity through immunomodulatory, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic effects. Here, we briefly summarize these anticancer effects of GLP and the underlying mechanisms.
Diabetes mellitus is a major, global public health problem. a-Glucosidase inhibitors are one of the most widely used classes of oral antidiabetics. In addition to other pharmaceutical benefits, flavonoids are known as potent a-glucosidase inhibitors. In the last two decades, the latter property of flavonoids has attracted a great interest. In the current review, the literature on flavonoids as inhibitors of a-glucosidase enzyme, their mechanism of action along with in silico studies and structure-activity relationships is discussed. The main outcomes show that a double bond between C-2 and C-3, and free hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-4 0 are crucial. Whereas sugar substitution at any position on the aglycon reduced the inhibitory effect, a phenolic group like gallic acid, coumaric acid, etc. substituted at different positions of sugar units increased it. Hydroxylation of flavonoids generally enhanced the effect due to possible electrostatic interactions with the enzyme, making flavonols stronger inhibitors than their flavone analogues. Hydroxyl groups at C-3, C-7, ring B, and the carbonyl oxygen at C-4 are considered to be key modifications to enhance binding through hydrogen bonds. With this overview we intend to motivate and challenge researchers to design novel flavonoids a find new hits.
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