This review describes pharmacologically active compounds from mushrooms. Compounds and complex substances with antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antiallergic, immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and central activities are covered, focusing on the review of recent literature. The production of mushrooms or mushroom compounds is discussed briefly.

https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2005/906016.pdf

The pharmacological potential of mushrooms.

Ganoderma lucidum is a wood-degrading basidiomycete with numerous pharmacological effects. Since the mushroom is very rare in nature, artificial cultivation of fruiting bodies has been known on wood logs and on sawdust in plastic bags or bottles. Biotechnological cultivation of G. lucidum mycelia in bioreactors has also been established, both on solid substrates and in liquid media by submerged cultivation of fungal biomass. The most important pharmacologically active constituents of G. lucidum are triterpenoids and polysaccharides. Triterpenoids have been reported to posses hepatoprotective, anti-hypertensive, hypocholesterolemic and anti-histaminic effects, anti-tumor and anti-engiogenic activity, effects on platelet aggregation and complement inhibition. Polysaccharides, especially β-d-glucans, have been known to possess anti-tumor effects through immunomodulation and anti-angiogenesis. In addition, polysaccharides have a protective effect against free radicals and reduce cell damage caused by mutagens.

Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds

Immunomodulating and anticancer agents in the realm of macromycetes fungi (macrofungi)

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.

Ganoderma lucidum: a potent pharmacological macrofungus.

Anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-1-protease substances from Ganoderma Lucidum

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/cpb1958/33/4/33_4_1367/_pdf

The biologically active constituents of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst. Histamine release-inhibitory triterpenes

Eight new terpenoid constituents named ganoderenic acids A (1), B (2), C (3) and D (4), ganoderic acids E (5), F (6), and G (7), and lucidenic acid D (8) were isolated from dried fruiting bodies of the fungus, Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) KARST (Polyporaceae) and their structures were determined on the basis of spectral data and some chemical interconversions.

Structures of New Terpenoid Constituents of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) KARST (Polyporaceae)

A method of the quantitative analysis was established for the determination of deacylgymnemic acid (DAGA) in the alkaline hydrolysate of the sample containing gymnemic acids which are ingredients of Gymnema sylvestre R. BR. leaves, by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. This method was used for comparing the contents of gymnemic acids in various samples. The amount of gymnemic acids analyzed as DAGA in 70% ethanol extract of dry leaves was about twice that in hot water extract. The commercial health-supplemental foods of five companies were investigated for the contents of gymnemic acids as DAGA and there were large differences from 38 to 251 mg in the dosage per day recommended by each company.

[Quantitative analysis of deacylgymnemic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography]

It is intended to provide a novel platelet production promoting factor capable of effectively promoting proplatelet formation or platelet formation in megakaryocytic cells, and also a composition such as a useful pharmaceutical product and various methods using the platelet production promoting factor. That is, the invention is directed to an extract of at least any one of plants, animals and microorganisms characterized by containing a compound represented by the following general formula (1) at a higher concentration than that in an unpurified extract of at least any one of plants, animals and microorganisms, or a treated substance thereof; a compound represented by the following general formula (1); a composition such as a pharmaceutical product containing the extract or a treated substance thereof or the compound; and various methods using the extract or a treated substance thereof or the compound: (General formula 1)

Platelet production promoting factor and use thereof

NEW MATERIAL:The compound of the formula. USE:Sweetener for foods and medicines. PREPARATION:An extract of glycyrrhiza with water and/or a hydrophilic organic solvent such as methanol is subjected to high performance liquid chromatography and the objective glycoside is collected from the eluates. For example, acetonitrile can be used as a mobile phase in the chromatography.

Masaru Uchida

Papers

The biologically active constituents of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst. Histamine release-inhibitory triterpenes

Structures of New Terpenoid Constituents of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) KARST (Polyporaceae)

[Quantitative analysis of deacylgymnemic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography]

Platelet production promoting factor and use thereof

Novel triterpene glycoside, its production and a sweetener containing the same