Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides: Immunomodulation and Potential Anti-Tumor Activities

Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), a basidiomycete white rot fungus, has long been prescribed to prevent and treat various human diseases, particularly in China, Japan, and Korea. Several classes of bioactive substances have been isolated and identified from G. lucidum, such as triterpenoids, polysaccharides, nucleosides, sterols, and alkaloids, among others. This paper examines the potential role of G. lucidum polysaccharide (GLPS) in tumor therapy and the possible mechanisms involved. Both in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that the anti-tumor activities of GLPS are mediated by its immunomodulatory, anti-angiogenic, and cytotoxic effects. GLPS affects immune cells and immune-related cells including B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. In addition, recent data also suggest that GLPS suppresses tumorigenesis or inhibits tumor growth through direct cytotoxic effect and anti-angiogenic actions. However, many questions still need to be answered before both G. lucidum and GLPS can be widely accepted and used as anti-tumor agents.

Screening of Mushrooms for Polysaccharides

“…The structure and pharmacological effect(s) of polysaccharides produced by G. lucidum is being actively studied (13,20,21). The potential role of G. lucidum polysaccharide in tumor therapy and the possible mechanisms involved were examined (22). Both in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that the antitumor activities of the polysaccharides of G. lucidum are mediated by its immunomodulatory, antiangiogenic, and cytotoxic effects.…”

Experimental immunology Modulation of murine macrophages phagocytic activity by polysaccharide extract from Chenopodium bonus-henricus

“…Both in vitro and in vivo studies of Xu et al [21] suggested that anti-tumor activities of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides are mediated by their immunomodulatory, anti-angiogenic, and cytotoxic effects. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides affect immune cells and immune-related cells including B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells.…”

Bioremediation of Dyes Using Ultrafine Membrane Prepared from the Waste Culture of Ganoderma lucidum with in-situ Immobilization of Laccase

“…Nowadays G. lucidum has been used to treat and prevent cancer, immunological disorders, hepatitis, hypertension, and other diseases. Many studies have revealed that G. lucidum extracts can inhibit the growth of many tumor cells such as lung cancer cell, colorectal prostate cancer cells, and breast cancer cells (Li et al 2007;Liu and Zhang 2007;Xu et al 2011). The fruiting body of G. lucidum is made of polysaccharides, terpenoids, amino acids, alkaloids, and proteins, etc.…”