3/14/2017 Ganoderma – A therapeutic fungal biofactory

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Abstract
Graphical abstract
Keywords
1. Introduction
2. “Herbal” medicinalGanoderma Phytochemistry
3. Metabolite profiling
Volume 67, Issue 18, September 2006, Pages 1985–2001
4. Chemical constituents
5. Whole fungus/crude extracts bioac…
6. Pure chemicals and biomedical ap…
7. Toxicity
Review
8. Conclusions
Acknowledgement Ganoderma – A therapeutic fungal biofactory
References
Vitae R. Russell M. Paterson 
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Figures and tables http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2006.07.004 Get rights and content

Abstract
Ganoderma is a basidiomycete white rot fungus which has been used for medicinal
purposes for centuries particularly in China, Japan and Korea. A great deal of work has
been carried out on Ganoderma lucidum. The common names for preparations include
Lingzhi, Munnertake, Sachitake, Reishi and Youngzhi. This review collates the
publications detailing activities and compounds by representative species whilst
considering the most valid claims of effectiveness. The biological activities reported of
preparations from Ganoderma are remarkable and given most emphasis herein as
distinct from structure/activity information. The metabolites consist of mainly
polysaccharides and terpenoids. Many are activities against the major diseases of our
time and so the present review is of great importance. The list of effects is huge ranging
from anti­cancer to relieving blockages of the bladder. However, the reports have not all
been tested scientifically with the convincing evidence is reserved for assays of pure
compounds. It is a prime example of an ancient remedy being of great relevance to the
modern era. There does appear to be an assumption that the therapeutic effects
attributed to the fungus have been proven. The next step is to produce some effective
medicines which may be hampered by problems of mass production.

Graphical abstract
The fungus Ganoderma produces many bioactive compounds which have a wide­range
of the most important biomedical activities. These are predominantly terpenoids and
polysaccharides. Effects range from anti­cancer to anti­HIV. Metabolites are being
produced increasingly in artificial culture which may assist in discovering effective
medical treatments.

Keywords

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3/14/2017 Ganoderma – A therapeutic fungal biofactory

Ganoderma; Polyporaceae; Lingzhi; Terpenoids; Steroids; Polysaccharides; Cancer;
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Keywords or your institution
1. Introduction
2. “Herbal” medicinal Ganoderma Check access

3. Metabolite profiling
4. Chemical constituents
Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
5. Whole fungus/crude extracts bioac…
6. Pure chemicals and biomedical ap… Russell Paterson is a research scientist at Centro de Engenharia Biológica,
7. Toxicity
Micoteca da Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal. He obtained his PhD
8. Conclusions
Acknowledgement at the University of Manchester, UK in Professor J.D. BúLock’s Microbial
References Chemistry Laboratory. He has held several posts subsequently including
Vitae one at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, New York. The
secondary metabolism of fungi is his primary interest.
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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031942206004080 2/3
3/14/2017 Ganoderma – A therapeutic fungal biofactory

Purchase   Export Search ScienceDirect Advanced search

Article outline Show full outline

Abstract
Graphical abstract
Keywords
1. Introduction
2. “Herbal” medicinalGanoderma
3. Metabolite profiling
4. Chemical constituents
5. Whole fungus/crude extracts bioac…
6. Pure chemicals and biomedical ap…
7. Toxicity
8. Conclusions
Acknowledgement
References
Vitae

Figures and tables

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031942206004080 3/3