Types of mushrooms and their bioactive constituents used in the treatment of cancer: A review

Abstract

Mushrooms have been a culinary and folk medicine since ancient times. Recently overwhelming interest in pharmaceutical potential of mushrooms have been witnessed. One of the main reasons being the properties of mushroom such as immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, nephroprotective, and anti-microbial gents. The anti-cancer compounds present in medicinal mushrooms leads to apoptosis, and eventually inhibiting cancer cells proliferation. The review undertaken explores the types of medicinal mushrooms and active compounds where, clinical trials undertaken shows a good prospect in cancer treating properties such as anti-tumour potential and biological role. Study on the mechanism of compounds such as polysaccharides need to be carried out at an extensive level, additional clinical studies and further research should look at the preventive benefits of medicinal mushrooms in lowering the incidence of cancer by incorporating them into a healthy diet.