Misconstrued versatility of Ganoderma lucidum: a key player in multi-targeted cellular signaling

Abstract

A Basidiomycetes fungus belonging to polypore family of mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum (GL), has been known since a long time for their myriad therapeutic indications. Renowned as an invaluable resource of cardinal mycoconstituents they encompass numerous terpenoids polysaccharides and proteins. Possessing the therapeutically potent lanosteroidal skeleton, terpenoids are upheld for their invariable participation in therapeutically diverse bioactivities. Polysaccharides and proteins exhibiting distinguishable bioactivities provide this oriental mushroom with additional edges over immune function and anti-cancer potential. This review is a concerted effort to throw light upon the therapeutic versatility of the fungus, shadowed by various other natural products. An effort has been made towards conglomerating the mycoconstituents decisive for the many activities portrayed by this fungus. More importantly, this review seeks to fathom the inextricable role played by derivatives in modulating signaling cascades such as downregulation of various mitogenic pathways, inhibiting growth factors, or upregulating certain pathways enhancing cellular integrity.

Cytotoxic lanostane-type triterpenoids from the fruiting bodies ofGanoderma lucidumand their structure-activity relationships

“…Since then, fungi have been used as traditional Chinese medicines for the prevention or treatment of various chronic diseases [1, 2]. As research on the chemical constituents of these medicinal or edible fungi has increased, there is pre-clinical evidence for G. lucidum in an array of settings including cancer treatment [3–6], diabetic control [7–9], hepato-protection [10–13], antiviral treatment [14], and immune-modulation [15, 16]. …”

Connection of Ganoderma Lucidum with Health

“…Recent studies especially report the therapeutic effects of the mushroom on cancer, asthma, allergies, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, liver diseases, and many other conditions ( Figure 2). [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] anTIcancer eFFecT…”

Triterpenes in cancer: significance and their influence

“…During abnormal conditions, mechanism gets hampered, Bax migrates to the mitochondria inhibiting Bcl-2 which consequence in the release of cytochrome c by forming a channel. Furthermore, cytochrome c binds to protein Apaf-1 (apoptotic protease activating factor-1) and ATP, which forms a complex known as apoptosomes which, in turn, binds and activates caspase-9 [65]. This activation of caspases, in turn, initiate a signaling cascade of events which cleaves and activates other caspases engrossed with proteolytic activity.…”

“…Majorly, fungus comprises of terpenes, proteins, polysaccharides constituents which actively participates and modulates signaling in cancer [65]. G. lucidum inhibits the activation of NF-jB proteins in the reporter gene assay in MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-response manner.…”