Recent Developments in Mushrooms as Anti-Cancer Therapeutics: A Review

Author: mycolabadmin
2011-11-25
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Summary

This research review examines how various medicinal mushrooms can be used to fight cancer. Scientists have found that many mushroom species contain powerful compounds that can kill cancer cells while supporting the immune system. Here’s how this impacts everyday life: • Provides natural alternatives or supplements to conventional cancer treatments • Offers potential new medicines with fewer side effects than current chemotherapy • Makes use of readily available food sources that have both nutritional and medicinal value • Could lead to more affordable cancer treatments derived from natural sources • Demonstrates the importance of preserving biodiversity and traditional medical knowledge

Background

Mushrooms have been valued throughout history as both culinary ingredients and medicinal agents in Oriental medicine. In recent years, Western researchers have shown increasing interest in the pharmaceutical potential of mushrooms, particularly their anti-cancer properties. Mushrooms have demonstrated various medicinal uses including anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, hypocholesterolemic, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, anti-allergic, nephroprotective, and anti-microbial effects.

Objective

This review aims to summarize and analyze recent findings on pharmacologically active compounds from medicinal mushrooms, their anti-tumor potential, and underlying mechanisms of biological action. The goal is to raise awareness and encourage further investigations to develop cancer therapeutics from mushrooms.

Results

Multiple mushroom species demonstrated significant anti-cancer effects through various mechanisms including reactive oxygen species induction, mitotic kinase inhibition, anti-mitotic activity, angiogenesis inhibition, and topoisomerase inhibition leading to apoptosis. Key genera showing anti-cancer potential include Phellinus, Pleurotus, Agaricus, Ganoderma, Clitocybe, Antrodia, Trametes, Cordyceps, Xerocomus, Calvatia, Schizophyllum, Flammulina, Suillus, Inonotus, Inocybe, Funlia, Lactarius, Albatrellus, Russula, and Fomes. The bioactive compounds identified include polysaccharides, proteins, lectins, terpenoids, and various other metabolites.

Conclusion

Medicinal mushrooms represent a promising source of novel anti-cancer compounds with diverse mechanisms of action. The mounting evidence from research groups globally validates their potential in cancer therapeutics. Further research is needed to isolate and characterize novel compounds, understand their mechanisms of action, and develop them into effective anti-cancer drugs. The field shows significant promise for developing new therapeutic strategies against various forms of cancer.

Published in:3 Biotech,
Study Type:Review,
Source: 10.1007/s13205-011-0036-2