Antimicrobial properties of Fomitopsis officinalis in the light of its bioactive metabolites: a review

Abstract

Fomitopsis officinalis, also known as Laricifomes officinalis, is a medicinal polypore used for millennia (Agarikon) to contrast several diseases, particularly the pulmonary ones. A rich literature has dealt with its ethno-mycological aspects, but isolation and chemical characterisation of single compounds has only recently significantly developed, as well as in vitro tests for bioactivity. According to several reports there is evidence of a broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral activity by F. officinalis, including pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as Ortopox virus. Chlorinated coumarins from mycelia and lanostane triterpenoids from basidiomes have been demonstrated to be directly responsible for antiviral-antibacterial and trypanocidal activity, respectively. A wider literature deals instead with crude extracts including an undetermined mixture of metabolites, whose efficacy in vitro is yet far from being standardised as extraction and treatment methodology are highly variable. Nevertheless, in vivo tests on bees provided promising results in order to develop sustainable solutions against the pathogens responsible for colony collapse disorders. Despite increasing attention has been paid to other medicinal aspects of this polypore, such as immune-tropic or antitumor, this review rationally reports and critically analyses the available knowledge by focusing on aspects of antimicrobial properties.

Evaluation of the hypoglycaemic and antioxidant effects of submerged Ganoderma lucidum cultures in type 2 diabetic rats

“…Fungi and their metabolites are the main source of bioactive molecules that show biological activity (Girometta 2019;Ogbole et al 2019). Among these sources, G. lucidum fruiting bodies have been reported to have antidiabetic activities.…”

“…Ganoderma lucidum, a white rot basidiomycete that grows on logs, is one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicines and has been used as a food supplement in East Asia for centuries (Wachtel-Galor et al 2011). The fruiting bodies of G. lucidum possess numerous biological activities, including anti-tumour, immune modulatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-ageing, and hypoglycaemic effects (Wachtel-Galor et al 2011;Girometta 2019). Although fruiting bodies are produced naturally, they are not produced in sufficient quantities for commercial use (Wachtel-Galor et al 2011).…”

A Review on Polyporus Spp. (Ghariqun), with Ibn Rushd Perspective and Modern Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

“…as well as Ortopox virus. Chlorinated coumarins from mycelia and lanostane triterpenoids from basidiomes have been demonstrated to be directly responsible for antiviral-antibacterial and trypanocidal activity, respectively [24]. P. officinalis extract showed various biological effects as anti-viral (especially against smallpox, H5N1 influenza, and hepatitis C virus), anti-tuberculosis, boosting the immune system [2].…”

Identification and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Meroterpenoids from Hericium erinaceus

“…Mushrooms attract much attention of chemists and biologists due to the production of secondary metabolites with diverse structural skeletons and interesting bioactivities [1][2][3][4][5]. Hericium erinaceus (Bull.)…”