Bioactive metabolites of Ganoderma lucidum: Factors, mechanism and broad spectrum therapeutic potential

Background: The global interest in edible medicinal herbs for healthcare has significantly increased during the last few years. Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom which is known to be a potential source of many therapeutic and pharmaceutical products with significant health importance. Methodology: The available literature using PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar database was thoroughly reviewed using the keywords Natural Products, Ganoderma, secondary metabolites and therapeutics. This narrative review of all the relevant papers with significant citations leads the authors to greater insight into the potential therapeutic significance of Ganoderma lucidum. Results: The presence of a wide array of secondary metabolites in this herb contributes to its pharmaceutical uses. G. lucidum is rich in polysaccharides (beta-glucan,mannitol), alkaloids, and a group of triterpenes (ganoderic acid). Many cellular mechanisms have been proposed to explain the mode of action of its active metabolites and their healthcare attributes including anticancer, antiviral, antioxidant and protective effects on liver and other secondary lymphoid organs. Conclusion: This review illustrates the broad spectrum therapeutic potential of secondary metabolites derived from Ganoderma and supports our understanding of the main pharmacologically active compounds present in this fungus. Insight into the actions of its secondary metabolites could further pave a way for establishing G. lucidum, as a pharmacologically important product.