Ganoderma lucidum: A Potent Pharmacological Macrofungus

Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi) is a basidiomycete white rot macrofungus which has been used extensively as "the mushroom of immortality" in China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries for 2000 years. A great deal of work has been carried out on therapeutic potential of Ganoderma lucidum. The basidiocarp, mycelia and spores of Ganoderma lucidum contain approximately 400 different bioactive compounds, which mainly include triterpenoids, polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins/peptides and trace elements which has been reported to have a number of pharmacological effects including immunomodulation, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, chemo-preventive, antitumor, chemo and radio protective, sleep promoting, antibacterial, antiviral (including anti-HIV), hypolipidemic, anti-fibrotic, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-androgenic, anti-angiogenic, anti-herpetic, antioxidative and radical-scavenging, anti-aging, hypoglycemic, estrogenic activity and anti-ulcer properties. Ganoderma lucidum has now become recognized as an alternative adjuvant in the treatment of leukemia, carcinoma, hepatitis and diabetes. The macrofungus is very rare in nature rather not sufficient for commercial exploitation for vital therapeutic emergencies, therefore, the cultivation on solid substrates, stationary liquid medium or by submerged cultivation has become an essential aspect to meet the driving force towards the increasing demands in the international market. Present review focuses on the pharmacological aspects, cultivation methods and bioactive metabolites playing a significant role in various therapeutic applications.

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

“…Quinones are known to be oxidised derivatives of aromatic compounds and are often readily made from reactive aromatic compounds with electron-donating substituent such as catechols and phenols. Besides GTs, polypeptides, small peptides such as ganodermin, polysaccharide such as sacchachitin, and chitosan also possess antimicrobial and anti-parasitic properties (Mothana et al 2000; Wang & Ng 2006; Sanodiya et al 2009; Chuang et al 2013). Structures of antimicrobial and anti-parasitic compounds from Ganoderma sp.…”

“…To date, most of the reviews on Ganoderma sp. have been focused on its anticancer and antioxidant activities and immune modulation (Sanodiya et al 2009). Therefore, our basic aim is to provide a glimpse on the antimicrobial and anti-parasitic activities of Ganoderma sp.…”

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides and Terpenoids: Profile and Health Benefits

“…The fungus was used to prevent or as therapeutic treatment of various diseases such as arthritis, cancer, chronic hepatitis, hepatopathy, hypertension, and many other diseases and pathologies [58,59]. Indeed, it was clear that these beneficial effects on health and diseases prevention are mainly due to the bioactive compounds including the polysaccharides and terpenoids of the fungus.…”

Anticancer, antithrombotic, antityrosinase, and anti‐α‐glucosidase activities of selected wild and commercial mushrooms from Pakistan

“…Although the improvements brought by technology has made life relaxed to the people, but many are still looking for improved herbal substitutes that are proved to be more effective in their utmost natural form (Sanodiya, Thakura, Baghela, Prasadb, & Bisen, 2009). This matter had set the ideology of functional and nutraceuticals as the food that exerts beneficial effects beyond nutrition thereby reducing various ailments (El Sohaimy, 2012).…”