Based on the analysis of 303 patents and scientific articles, this state-of-theart
review presents Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal basidiomycete
mushroomwithimmunomodulatory and anti-cancer effects. Cultivation methods for the
commercial production of Ganoderma lucidum fruit bodies and mycelia are
summarized, with main active compounds of triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and
proteins, often found in forms of proteoglycans or glycopeptides. Pharmacological
effects with emphasis on anti-cancer and immunomodulatory functions are presented,
separately for spores and dry mycelia, and for the groups of triterpenoids,
polysaccharides, proteins and glycoproteins. Patents disclosing preparation methods of
extracts and purified pharmaceutical isolates are reviewed, and examples of anti-cancer
formulations, used as pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals, are given. The chapter suggests
that according to the present understanding, the anti-cancer activity ofGanoderma lucidum may be attributed to at least five groups of mechanisms: (1)
activation/modulation of the immune response of the host, (2) direct cytotoxicity to
cancer cells, (3) inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis, (4) inhibition of cancer cells
proliferation and invasive metastasis behaviour, and (5) carcinogens deactivation with
protection of cells. Although the data from recent in vitro and in vivo studies
demonstrate promising anti-cancer effects, a need is identified for further (1) isolation
and purification of compounds, with deeper understanding of their individual and
synergistic pharmacological effects, (2)molecular level studies of the antitumor and
immuno-supportive mechanisms, (3) well designed in vivo tests and controlled clinical
studies, and (4) standardisation and quality control for Ganoderma lucidum strains,
cultivation processes, extracts and commercial formulations.
Keywords: β-D Glucans, angiogenesis, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, biotechnology,
cultivation methods, cytotoxicity, extraction, Ganoderma lucidum, glycopeptides,
immunomodulation, immunostimulation, isolation, ling zhi, patents, pharmacological
effects, polysaccharides, proteins, reishi, triterpenes.
