Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms.
Ganoderma lucidum (G lucidum) is a medicinal fungus with a variety of biological activities. It has long been used as a folk remedy for promotion of health and longevity in China and other oriental countries. The most attractive character of this kind of medicinal fungus is its immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activities. Large numbers of studies have shown that G lucidum modulate many components of the immune system such as the antigen-presenting cells, NK cells, T and B lymphocytes. The water extract and the polysaccharides fraction of G lucidum exhibited significant anti-tumor effect in several tumor-bearing animals mainly through its immunoenhancing activity. Recent studies also showed that the alcohol extract or the triterpene fraction of G lucidum possessed anti-tumor effect, which seemed to be related to the cytotoxic activity against tumor cells directly. Preliminary study indicated that antiangiogenic effect may be involved antitumor activity of G lucidum.
Lin
Zhi-bin
ZB
Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China. linzb@public3.bta.net.cn
Zhang
Hui-na
HN
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D020940:Reishi / Q000737:chemistry
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011134:Polysaccharides