Indian medicinal mushrooms as a source of antioxidant and antitumor agents.
Medicinal mushrooms occurring in South India namely Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus rimosus, Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus pulmonaris possessed profound antioxidant and antitumor activities. This indicated that these mushrooms would be valuable sources of antioxidant and antitumor compounds. Investigations also revealed that they had significant antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities. Thus, Indian medicinal mushrooms are potential sources of antioxidant and anticancer compounds. However, intensive and extensive investigations are needed to exploit their valuable therapeutic use.
A Ajith
Thekkuttuparambil
T
Department of Biochemistry, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Amala Nagar, Thrissur, Kerala-680 555, India.
K Janardhanan
Kainoor
K