A Brief Review on
Medicinal Uses of Mushroom
Submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of M.Sc. in Chemistry,2018
By
AMIT PRASAD
ROLL:0012CEM16 NO-00036
REG. NO-D\0011CEM1600036 OF 2016-17
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
Dr. SUNIL KUMAR BHANJA
VIDYASAGAR UNIVERSITY
Department of Chemistry And Chemical Technology
Midnapore-721 102, West Bengal
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DEDICATED
TO
MY BELOVED PARENTS, TEACHERS & WELL
WISHERS
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VIDYASAGARUNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
Midnapore-721 102, West Bengal
CERTIFICATE
To Whom It May Concern
Ref No……………
This is to certify that AMIT PRASAD(Roll:0012CEM16
No:00036) has completed the review report on the topic entitled
“MEDICINAL USES OF MUSHROOM” under my supervision for
the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of
degree of M.Sc. in Chemistry (organic special) from Vidyasagar
University in the year 2018.
I wish him all success in life.
Date:
Midnapore ………………………………….
Dr. Sunil Kumar Bhanja
Project supervis
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PROJECT TITLE
A Brief Review on
Medicinal Uses of Mushroom
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CONTENTS
Page No.
➢ Abstract 06
➢ Introduction 06
➢ Antioxidant activity 07-09
➢ Antimicrobial activity 09-10
➢ Anticancer activity 11-14
➢ Immunomodulator activity 14-16
➢ Conclusion 17-18
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1. Abstract
Medicinal and edible mushrooms have been widely used for centuries as nutraceuticals to
improve health and to treat numerous diseases. Several species of mushrooms such as Lentinula
edodes, Schizophyllum commune, Ganoderma lucidum and Coriolus versicolor have been used
as immunostimulators and anticancer agents. Mushroom polysaccharides, as the main active
ingredient in the mushroom, belong to a special group of immunoceuticals that inhibit cancer
cells by activating host immune system. These special properties along with minimal side effects
make mushroom polysaccharides as ideal candidates for developing novel anticancer therapies.
This review highlights the current status of research in the area of mushroom polysaccharides,
focusing on their structure-function relationship and mechanism of biological activities, as well
as the potential of using these biopolymers as therapeutic agents.
Key words: Anticancer,antimicrobials, antioxidants, immunomodulators, mushrooms, myochemicals
2. Introduction
What are mushrooms? Mushrooms are the macro fungi with distinctive fruiting bodies
commonly occurring in fungi of the class Basidiomycetes and occasionally in the class
Ascomycetes. Fruiting bodies are also used interchangeably with basidiocarps (the sexual
fruiting body of Basidiomycetes) or ascocarps (the sexual fruiting body of Ascomycetes).
Interestingly, even though the Basidiomycetes demonstrate a wide variety of fruiting body shape,
the Ascomycete species still outnumbered the Basidiomycetes. An overview of the mushroom
species and the basic terminology used for a typical Basidiomycete mushroom is presented in
Fig.A .
Figure-A
Mushrooms have long history of traditional use for improving general health and for the
treatment of various ailments .Their application as nutraceuticals is also well-known. Literature
reports that there are over 12,000 wild species of mushrooms worldwide and about 2000 species
are edible. A couple of hundreds of wild species are used for medicinal purposes.
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3. Antioxidant activity
Oxygen by the virtue of its oxidation properties plays a pivotal role in biological system that
include nutrient utilization, transport of electrons for production of ATP, and removal of
xenobiotics. Oxygen gets converted into reactive form, for instance, superoxide radical [O2- ],
hydroxyl radical [.OH], and H2O2 that have the DNA nicking property, which could also harm
essential enzymes and structural proteins and may lead to autooxidation or lipid peroxidation.
Mushrooms have been found to contain antioxidant substance that could prevent the destructive
oxidative process within the organism.[1]
3.1 Phellinus rimosus
The species is mostly confined to plains and tropical forest. In Chinese medicine, the hot water
extracts of fruiting body of Phellinus spp. have been reported to be used to cure many ailments
and it is believed to refresh human body and promotes longevity. Various extracts of Phellinus
spp. are found to scavenge O2, .OH, and nitric oxide radicals generated from free radicals when
studied in vitro.
3.2 Ganoderma
Ganoderma lucidum and other related species describe their longest historical usage. Near about
4000 years ago due to their medicinal properties, Ganoderma spp. is to be famous tonic and
found an important place in Chinese medicine due to its beneficial effects to all viscera and
nontoxic nature [Figure 1].[2]
Figure 1: Ganoderma lucidum
Phenolics and other phytoconstituents found in Ganoderma efficiently scavenged the O2- , .OH
radical generated experimentally during in vitro studies and thus are found to have antioxidant
and chelating activity along with reducing power and chelating abilities.
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3.3 Agaricus bisporus
Commonly known as button mushroom or table mushroom, A. bisporus is cultivated edible
basidiomycetes found extensively in Europe and North America.It is perhaps one of the most
cultivated species of mushroom across the world. Boiled as well as raw extract of A. bisporus,
due to virtue of some antioxidants in it, effectively inhibited the oxidative crisis in in vitro
experiments [Figure 2].[3]
Figure 2: Agaricus bisporus
3.4 Pleurotus species
Oyster mushroom/Pleurotus spp is an edible and extensively grown mushroom. Some species of
Pleurotus are found to contain antioxidants, antiinflammatory, and antitumor compounds.
Methanolic extract from fruiting body of P. florida are found to have . OH radical scavenging
activity and lipid peroxidation inhibiting activities [Figure 3].[4]
Figure 3: Pleurotus ostreatus
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Mushrooms with antioxidant activities are summarized in Table 1
Table 1: Antioxidant properties of some mushrooms
Biological source Activities
Agaricus bisporus Effective scavenger of ABTS +
Ganoderma lucidum Effective scavenger of O2 −· and ·OH radicals
Pleurotus florida ·OH radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation
inhibiting activities
Phellinus rimosus Effective scavenger of O2 −· and ·OH
Leucopaxillus giganteus Effective scavenger of O2 −
4. Antimicrobial activity
Up till date, multiple drug resistance in human pathogenic microorganism has developed, which
might be due to the use of commercial antimicrobial drugs that are used to treat infection.
This has lead to search of a new antimicrobial agent. The mycelia and fruiting body extracts of
various array of mushroom have been accounted for antimicrobial activity against a wide range
of infectious microorganisms. In order to endure in their natural milieu, mushroom needs
antibacterial and antifungal compounds. A number of antimicrobial agents with less or more
activities might be isolated from the mushrooms, which may prove themselves to be beneficial to
human health. Some mushrooms with antimicrobial activities are discussed next.
4.1 G. annulare and allied species
Applanoxidic acid isolated from G. annulare [Fr.] Glibn show weak antifungal activity against
trichophyton mentagrophytes. Steroidal compounds like 5aergosta-7,22- dien-3b-ol or 5,8
epidioxy-5a,8a-ergosta 6,22- dien 3b ol isolated from G applanatum [Pers.] Pat., proved to be
weakly active against a number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms.
4.2 Lentinula edodes
It contains oxalic acid, which is responsible for antimicrobial effect against Staphylococcus
aureus and other bacteria. Ethanolic extract from the mycelium of Lentinula edodes also possess
antiprotozoal activity against Paramecium caudatum [Figure 4].[5]
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Figure 4: Lentinula edodes
4.3 A. bisporus
A. bisporus show potential activity against gram positive bacteria and to a lesser extent gram
negative bacterium, due to narrow spectrum of activity, it is also effective against Bacillus
subtilis. Some antifungal proteins, lectins, ribonucleases, and laccases of mushroom origin are
known to inhibit HIV 1 reverse transcriptase [Table 2].[6]
Table 2: Role and therapeutic activities of myochemicals from mushrooms
Biological source Activity Constituent
Leucopaxillus giganteu Antibiotic Clitocybin
Agaricus bisporus Antibiotic -
Phellinus linteus Potent protein glycation inhibitor Interfungins A,
Phellinus linteus Potential antitumor agent in breast Hispolon
and bladder cancers
Ganoderma lucidum Hypoglycemic activity Ganoderans A and B
Phellinus linteus Antiarthritic activity Proteoglycan
Ganoderma lucidum Antifungal Ganodermin
Cholesterol synthesis inhibitors Ganoderic acid
Txa-2 inhibitor Ganoderic acid
Piptoporus betulinus Lu Antibiotic Piptamine
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5. Anticancer activity
National Cancer Institute (NCI US) recently has emphasized upon natural products like plants,
marine organisms, and microorganisms as source of new drug discovery. In the year 1956, NCI
started screening of some plant drugs for studying anticancer activity. Today currently available
and therapeutic useful anticancer drugs are natural products from plants and their derivatives.
Mushrooms comprise a vast and yet largely untapped source of powerful new pharmaceutical
products. They are the unlimited source of polysaccharides which possess anticancer and
immunostimulating properties. The polysaccharides found in mushroom do not directly attack
cancer cells but produce antitumor effects by activating different immune response in host. The
antitumor actions of these polysaccharides require a T-cell component and their activity is
mediated through thymus-dependent immune mechanism. This application depends on biological
properties as well as biotechnological availability. Some mushrooms with potential anticancer
activity are discussed next.
5.1 Phellinus linetus
P. linetus is a basidiomycetes fungus that is found mainly in America, Africa, and Asia and has
been recognized as medicinal mushrooms. The biological active component isolated from P.
linetus are polysaccharides, acidic proteoheteroglycans with mixed α, β linkage, and a [1-6] -
branched type [1-3]-glycan. These complex polysaccharides have been detected in a variety of
different mushroom species and linked to the immunostimulatory and antitumor activities.[54]
Inhibition of invasive melanoma B 16 cells through downregulation of m-RNA level of
urokinase plasminogen activator [µPA] and by the inhibition of pulmonary metastasis in mice.
5.2 Agaricus bisporus
The polysaccharide fraction of A. bisporus extract, which is commercially developed as a dietary
supplement for use as an immunostimulating agent and kidney tonic, is also suggested as an
anticancer compound due to its immune stimulating properties. Button mushroom are one of the
main dietary constituent that can reduce the risk of hormone-dependent breast cancer in women.
Thus they could be a good prevention strategy because they are available readily, affordable, and
acceptable worldwide to people [Figure 5].[7]
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Figure 5: Grifola frondosa
5.3 Pleurotus species
These have high medicinal value. The compounds isolated from them have antihypertensive
antihypercholestremic activity. Methanolic extract of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus florida,
occurring in South India showed profound antitumor activity against the Ehrlich’s ascites
carcinoma (EAC) cell-line induced solid tumor model in mice.
5.4 Lentinus edodes
Lentinan is the first compound isolated which has shown greater antitumor and antiproliferative
effects as compared to other mushroom polysaccharides. The purified polysaccharides from
mushrooms in many xenografts have shown tumor regression. The cytostatic effect produced by
lentinan is mainly due to activation of host immune response. Lentinan is a pure polysaccharide
composed only of atoms of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, the glycoprotein have also shown
antitumor activity in xenograft model. Lentinan, therefore, has proved successful in prolonging
the overall survival of cancer patients, mainly in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer.
5.5 Grifola frondosa
Β D Glucan and glycoprotein complexes derived from this mushroom possess strong antitumor
activity in xerographs. More recently, a highly purified extract, β-glucan [β-1, 6 glucan branched
with a β-1, 3-linkage] has become available which has considerable immunomodulating and
antitumor activities in animal models, and is orally bioavailable [Figures 6-8] [Table 3].[8]
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Figure 6: Trametes versicolor
Figure 7: Schizophyllum commune
Figure 8: β Glucan
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Table 3: Cytotoxic and antitumor potential of some mushrooms
Biological source Activity/use
Pleurotus ostreatus Cytotoxic,apoptotic Antihepatoma and
antisarcoma activitiy
Agaricus biosporus lower estrogen levels in the human body,
reduce breast cancer susceptibility
Phellinus rimosus[ Cytotoxic and antitumor activities
Agaricus blazei Murrill Antitumor activity
Calvatia caelata Antiproliferative and antimitogenic activities
Hohenbuehelia serotina Antitumor activity
Inonotus obliquus Antitumor and hypoglycemic activities
6. Immunomodulator activity
Compounds like proteins, peptides, lipopolysaccharides, glycoproteins, and lipid derivatives,
have all been classified as molecules that have potent effects on the immune system.
Polysaccharides are generally T-lymphocyte-dependent antigen, which does not elicit cell-
mediated immune response. Certain natural polymeric polysaccharides have recently been cited
as potent immunomodulatory agents.
The immune system has a pivotal role in the body’s defenese against infections and formation of
tumors. Body’s defenese against viral attack and against spontaneously arising malignant tumor
cells comprises a dynamic orchestrated interplay of innate and acquired immune responses.
Innate immunity that comprises macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer, and dendritic cells get
regulated by cytokines and by the activation of inflammatory and acute phase responses.
Bioactive polysaccharides from mushrooms play a key role in immunomodulation. The ability of
these bioactive polysaccharides bound protein to modulate immune cells that is contributed due
to their structural diversity and variability of these macromolecules.
6.1 Lentinus edodes
L. edodes is the source of two preparations with profound pharmacological effects – L.. edodes
mycelium [LEM] extract and lentinan. Lentinan acts by producing its antitumor effect by
activating different immune responses in the host. This immunomodulation is due to maturation,
differentiation, or proliferation of cells involved in host defenese mechanisms. Therefore,
Lentinan increases host resistance against various kinds of cancer and has the potential to restore
the immune function of affected individuals.
Lentinan can activate NK cells in vitro in the same concentrations that are achieved in the blood
plasma of patients treated clinically with lentinan.
NK cell activity is involved in tumor suppression and while these cells do not stimulate certain T
killer cell activity, or do so only under certain conditions, they are strong T helper cell stimulants
both in vitro and in vivo.
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• Lentinan can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, which can slow T cell differentiation in
animals and humans, as well as inhibiting suppressor T cell activity in vivo.
• Lentinan is also reported to increase in the activation of nonspecific inflammatory
response such as acute phase protein production.
• It also enhances vascular dilation and hemorrhage inducing factor in vivo.
• It also has a role in activation and generation of helper and cytotoxic T-cells.
Therefore the immunopotentiation by [1-3]-β-d-glucan of lentinan involves activation of
cytotoxic macrophages, helper T-cells and NK cells, and the promotion of T cell differentiation.
6.2 Ganoderma lucidum
Ganoderma lucidum has been used extensively as “mushrooms of immortality” in China and
other Asian countries for 2000 years. Substances with immense immunomodulating action have
been isolated from this mushroom, including polysaccharides [in particular β-D-glucan], proteins
[e.g., Ling Zhi 8] and triterperoids.
A β-D-glucan [Ganoderan] and a protein-polysaccharide fraction [GLB] from G. lucidum are
potent stimulators of mice and chicken macrophages. Ganoderan and GLB have been shown to
increase the expression of MHC class II molecules on these antigen-presenting macrophages.
There is also evidence to suggest that extracts from G. lucidum can influence humoral or B-cell
immunity. An alkali extract from G. lucidum activated both the classical and alternative
pathways of the complement system. This extract also activated the reticuloendothelial system
and increased hemolytic plaque forming cells in the spleen of mice [Table 4].[9]
Table 4: Immunomodulators from Ganoderma lucidum
Constituents Activity
Polysaccharides (β-d-glucans) Induce biological response by binding to
membrane complement receptor type three
(CR3, αMβ2 integrin, or CD11b/ CD18) on
immune effector cells such as macrophages
Triterpenoids(ganoderic acid, lucidenic acid, Immunomodulating activity
ganodermic acids, ganoderenic acids, lucidone,
ganoderal, and ganoderols)
6.3 Trametes versicolor
Protein-bound polysaccharides PSK (Krestin) and PSP have been isolated from the mushroom
Trametes versicolor. These compounds are chemically relatively similar and have a molecular
mass of about 100 kDa. The polysaccharide component is made up of monosaccharide with α [1-
4] and β [1-3]-glucosidic linkages and possesses immunomodulating activity [Figure 9].[10]
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Figure 9: Grifolin
6.4 Schizophyllum commune
The antitumor activity of Schizophyllan is due mainly to host mediated immune responses.
Schizophyllan is T-cell oriented immunopotentiator and therefore requires a functional T-cell
component for its biological activity and that the action of [1-3]-β-d glucans on the host’s
immune system might:
• increase helper T-cell production,
• increase macrophage production,
• Bring about a nonimmunological increase in the host defenese mechanisms through
stimulation of acute-phase proteins and colony-stimulating factors, which in turn effects
proliferation of macrophages, and lymphocytes and activation of the complement system
[Figure 10].[11]
Figure 10: Grifolic acid
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Table 5: List of some edible and nonedible mushrooms and their activities[12-18]
Biological source Activity/Use
Pleurotus spp. Radical scavenge
Hygrocybe spp. Chelating effect, iron, and calcium contents
Hygrophorus spp Iron and calcium contents
Pleurotus ostreatus Lowers cholesterol levels
Lentinula edodes Antimutagenic effects
Pleurotus ostreatus Antibacterial Activities
Grifola frondosa[ Anticancer and hypoglycemic effects
Sparassis crispa Antitumor and hematopoietic activity
Immunomodulating activity
Hypsizigus marmoreus Antifungal and antiproliferative activities
Lactarius vellereus Antigenotoxic activity
Ganoderma lucidum Antiallergic
Angiotensin
converting enzyme inhibitors antioxidant and
free radical scavening activity
Grifola frondosa Cyclooxygenase inhibitor
Agaricus brasiliensis Antiviral activity
Coriolus versicolor Anti HIV
Hypsizigus marmoreus Antitubercular activity
Hericium erinaceus[ Cognition improvement properties
Piptoporus betulinus Anti-inflammatory and antihyaluronate lyase
activities
Agaricus bisporus Enhances natural killer cell activity
7. Conclusion
There has been significant progress in understanding the structure and bioactivity of mushroom
polysaccharides. α- and β-glucans derived from fungi and other food sources have been shown to
possess effective imunostimulating activity and some display direct anticancer effect. α-glucans
with suitable structural features have significant bioactivity and β-glycosidic linkage is not an
explicit requirement for immune enhancing activity. The discovery that specific receptors exist
for some α-glucans helped to reveal new actions of α-glucans. It is also possible that α- and β-
glucans may have synergistic actions. Further study on the activities of their combinations is
expected to lead to the development of novel nutraceutical and therapeutic agents for
preventative as well as curative applications against various diseases including cancer.
Several mushroom species have been pointed out as sources of bioactive compounds, in addition
to their important nutritional value. The inclusion of whole mushrooms into the diet may have
efficacy as potential dietary supplements.
The production of mushrooms and the extraction of bioactive metabolites is a key feature for the
development of efficient biotechnological methods to obtain these metabolites. It has been
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shown by a wide range of studies that mushrooms contain components with outstanding
properties to prevent or treat different type of diseases.
In view of the current situation, the research of bioactive components in edible wild and
cultivated mushrooms is yet deficient. There are numerous potential characteristics and old and
novel properties, provided by mushrooms with nutraceutical and health benefits, which deserve
further investigations.
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8. Acknowledgement
With great pleasure and satisfaction, I submit my project review on “MEDICINAL USES OF
MUSHROOM”.
I take the opportunity to express my gratitude and sincere thanks to my project supervisor Dr.
Sunil Kumar Bhanja, a pioneer in the field of carbohydrate chemistry and Bioorganic chemistry,
and a great human being. His ability to motivate capability and guidance has not felt a single
page of this preview articles.
I am also grateful to all my teachers for their valuable suggestion and encouragement time to
time.
I am specially thankful to all my classmates and friends for extending their moral support and
discussion on this topics and procuring some reference materials.
I am also indebted to my parents for their moral support, without which it would have been
impossible to do this task.
Despite of my best efforts, some typographical mistakes might have crept in and for these
inconveniences, I beg to be pardoned.
Dated: 8thJuly
Durgapur
Amit Prasad
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