Therapeutic potential of an edible macro-fungus: Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst

Abstract

A range of dietary products has been used in Asia as a common remedy to prevent or cure various diseases. The extracts from medicinal mushrooms (stem, butt and root rot) are utilized for the treatment of multiple diseases. As we know that mushroom is an abundant source of various minerals such as vitamins, fiber and different type of amino acids along with low in fat, cholesterol and calories. Carbohydrates and protein of proteoglycans are in 11.5:1 ratio. In addition, major 03 monosaccharides were present in carbohydrates i.e., D-glucose, D-galactose and D-mannose in the molar concentration of 3:1:1. The edible mushroom fungus, <em>Ganoderma lucidum </em>reportedly introduces many compounds as well as triterpenoids, polysaccharides, proteoglycans or glycopeptides, sterols, steroids and fatty acids with a role in prevention or cure for various diseases like that immunomodulation, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, chemo-preventive, antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-HIV, anti-diabetic, anti-fibrotic, hepatoprotective, anti-androgenic, anti-herpetic, anti-angiogenic, antioxidative, free radical-scavenging, anti-aging, hypoglycemic along with estrogenic activity properties. This review summarizes the cultivation and biologically active compounds of <em>G. lucidum </em>with various therapeutic applications.