Abstract
For the past several decades, cancer patients in the U.S. have chosen the use of natural products as an alternative or complimentary medicine approach to treat or improve their quality of life via reduction or prevention of the side effects during or after cancer treatment. The genus Ganoderma includes about 80 species of mushrooms, of which several have been used for centuries in traditional Asian medicine for their medicinal properties, including anticancer and immunoregulatory effects. Numerous bioactive compounds seem to be responsible for their healing effects. Among the approximately 400 compounds produced by Ganoderma spp., triterpenes, peptidoglycans and polysaccharides are the major physiologically-active constituents. Ganoderma anticancer effects are attributed to its efficacy in reducing cancer cell survival and growth, as well as by its chemosensitizing role. In vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted in various cancer cells and animal models; however, in this review, we focus on Ganoderma’s efficacy on breast cancers. Evidence shows that some species of Ganoderma have great potential as a natural therapeutic for breast cancer. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to investigate their potential in the clinical setting and to translate our basic scientific findings into therapeutic interventions for cancer patients.
Highlights
Research proposes that different Ganoderma species (Ganoderma spp.), including G. lucidum, G. sinense, G. atrum, G. tsugae, G. neo-japonicum and, most recently, G. hainanense, carry promising anticancer properties
The need for a definitive cure for Breast cancer (BC) has led investigators to search for innovative ideas to eradicate this disease using natural alternatives with minimal side effects
Their bioactive compounds represent a viable alternative to combat BC either alone or in combination with conventional therapies
Summary
Research proposes that different Ganoderma species (Ganoderma spp.), including G. lucidum, G. sinense, G. atrum, G. tsugae, G. neo-japonicum and, most recently, G. hainanense, carry promising anticancer properties. Triterpenes are originally isolated from Ganoderma spp. spores, and studies demonstrate outstanding therapeutic and pharmacological activities on various diseases, including cancer [3,4]. Studies demonstrate that Ganoderma polysaccharides exert anticancer effects in tumor therapy by enhancing the immune system [5]. 40% of BC are luminal A, making this the most common type of breast cancer [9] These tumors are less aggressive and tend to have hormonal receptors present, having a favorable response to therapy [10]. Because most of the basal-like cancers tend to be triple negative (no hormonal or HER2 receptor), their prognosis tends to be grim since for these tumor subtypes, no targeted therapies exist. We discuss the use of various Ganoderma spp. in BC models, patients and survivors to show the potential this medicinal mushroom has for its use in the clinical setting as a therapeutic for this deadly disease
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