Ganderma lucidum has been widely used through the centuries for numerous pharmacological
benefits, including immuno-modulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidative,
and radical-scavenging, and anti-aging effects and only in the past two decades has
scientific information become available that supports some of these claims. The potency of G.
lucidum depends chiefly on its chemical constituents, namely the triterpenes and polysaccharides
that make up the fruiting body, mycelium or spores. Its anti-cancer properties have been
demonstrated in various human and murine cancer cell lines. However, the mechanisms
responsible for the anti-cancer effects of G. lucidum on cancer cells remain inconclusive. This
review paper has identified five potential mechanisms associated with the anti-cancer activities
of triterpenes and three for polysaccharides.
Triterpenes have been shown to induce cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase by the downregulation
of Cyclin D1, and at the G2 phase by suppressing the activity of PKC. It also induced
apoptosis in cancer cell lines via mitochondria-dependent pathways followed by activation of the
caspase cascade. Triterpenes also prevented tumour metastasis by regulating MMP and IL-8 and
suppressed inflammatory cytokine secretion in macrophage cells. Lastly, triterpenes were found
to act as an anti-oxidant by scavenging free radicals and enhancing innate anti-oxidant enzymes.
Polysaccharides have been shown to enhance the host’s immune response by stimulating the
production of macrophages, NK cells, and T-lymphocytes. Like triterpenes, polysaccharides can
act as an anti-oxidant by reducing oxidative damage induced by ROS and preventing DNA