title: Chemical features of Ganoderma polysaccharides with antioxidant, antitumor and antimicrobial activities.
abstract: Ganoderma genus comprises one of the most commonly studied species worldwide, Ganoderma lucidum. However, other Ganoderma species have been also reported as important sources of bioactive compounds. Polysaccharides are important contributors to the medicinal properties reported for Ganoderma species, as demonstrated by the numerous publications, including reviews, on this matter. Yet, what are the chemical features of Ganoderma polysaccharides that have bioactivity? In the present manuscript, the chemical features of Ganoderma polysaccharides with reported antioxidant, antitumor and antimicrobial activities (the most studied worldwide) are analyzed in detail. The composition of sugars (homo- versus hetero-glucans and other polysaccharides), type of glycosidic linkages, branching patterns, and linkage to proteins are discussed. Methods for extraction, isolation and identification are evaluated and, finally, the bioactivity of polysaccharidic extracts and purified compounds are discussed. The integration of data allows deduction of structure-activity relationships and gives clues to the chemical aspects involved in Ganoderma bioactivity.
authors.affiliation: Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), ESA, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal. Electronic address: iferreira@ipb.pt.
authors.forename: Isabel C F R
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), ESA, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal; Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sandrina A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Heleno
authors.affiliation: Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), ESA, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Filipa S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", Department of Plant Physiology, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Dejan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stojkovic
authors.affiliation: Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria João R P
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.affiliation: Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: M Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.affiliation: University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", Department of Plant Physiology, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sokovic
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032902:Ganoderma / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D011134:Polysaccharides
keywords: Bioactivity; Chemical features; Ganoderma; Polysaccharides; Structure–activity