Cancer is a worldwide public health problem and the leading cause of human death. The development of new chemicals to combat cancer is of utmost importance. And phytochemicals from natural herbs are a favorable resource for anti-cancer drug discovery.

Triterpenoids isolated from Ganoderma lucidum are a class of naturally occurring compounds and structurally highly oxidized lanostanes. The mixture of triterpenoids from G. lucidum is divided into two subgroups: G. lucidum extracts containing triterpenoids (GLCTs) and G. lucidum triterpenoid-enriched extracts (GLETs).

The researchers summarize and analyze current knowledge about the anticancer properties and mechanisms of G. lucidum triterpenoids (GLTs) and discuss the prospects of the application of GLTs in cancer treatment.

In summary, extensive studies over the past decade have provided evidence of the anticancer activity of GLTs at different stages of carcinogenesis. These activities include cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibition of metastasis and angiogenesis (as shown below). The anticancer properties of GLTs have also been confirmed by in vitro and in vivo assays. Thus, GLTs have promising anti-cancer profile shows great potential for future pharmaceutical development and clinical investigations against cancer.

Wu, G. S., Guo, J. J., Bao, J. L., Li, X. W., Chen, X. P., Lu, J. J., & Wang, Y. T. (2013). Anti-cancer properties of triterpenoids isolated from Ganoderma lucidum–a review. Expert opinion on investigational drugs, 22(8), 981-992. [Link]