Unlocking the Potential of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) - Botanical Overview, Therapeutic Applications, and Nanotechnological Advances

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by James

Ganoderma lucidum (GL), also known as “Lingzhi” or “Reishi,” has long been associated with health benefits and medicinal properties in traditional Chinese medicine. This review evaluates GL’s therapeutic potential in conventional and emerging treatments, with emphasis on cancer therapy, and examines how nanotechnology can strengthen these applications. Nanotechnology-enabled extraction, purification, and nanocarriers/nanoformulations are discussed for improving stability of sensitive bioactive constituents. GL-based nanomaterials show anticancer promise by targeting cancer cells, promoting apoptosis, and suppressing tumor growth.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages41

Reading Time1 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Nanotechnology and stability of GL bioactives

Anticancer activity and mechanisms

Keywords

GL in cancer treatment

Mushroom functional foods and bioactive diversity

Review Unlocking the Potential of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis): Botanical Overview, Therapeutic Applications, and Nanotechnological Advances Ana Eira 1,†, Maria Beatriz S. Gonçalves 1,†, Yannick Stéphane Fotsing Fongang 2, Cátia Domingues 1,3,4, Ivana Jarak 1, Filipa Mascarenhas-Melo 5,6, * and Ana Figueiras 1,3, * Academic Editor: Xiaowei Zeng Received: 20 January 2025 Revised: 17 February 2025 Accepted: 21 March 2025 Published: 26 March 2025 Citation: Eira, A.; Gonçalves, M.B.S.; Fongang, Y.S.F.; Domingues, C.; Jarak, I.; Mascarenhas-Melo, F.; Figueiras, A. Unlocking the Potential of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis): Botanical Overview, Therapeutic Applications, and Nanotechnological Advances. Pharmaceutics 2025, 17, 422. [https://](https://)[ ](https://)[doi.org/10.3390/](doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](doi.org/10.3390/)pharmaceutics17040422 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://creativecommons.org/](https://creativecommons.org/)[ ](https://creativecommons.org/)[licenses/by/4.0/](licenses/by/4.0/)) . 1 Laboratory of Drug Development and Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; [anaeiraa@gmail.com](anaeiraa@gmail.com) (A.E.); [mariabsgoncalves@gmail.com](mariabsgoncalves@gmail.com) (M.B.S.G.); [cdomingues@ff.uc.pt](cdomingues@ff.uc.pt) (C.D.); [jarak.ivana@gmail.com](jarak.ivana@gmail.com) (I.J.) 2 Higher Teachers’ Training College, The University of Maroua, Maroua P.O. Box 55, Cameroon; [fongangfys@yahoo.fr](fongangfys@yahoo.fr) 3 Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal 4 Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CI MAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal 5 Higher School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, 6300-307 Guarda, Portugal 6 BRIDGES—Biotechnology Research, Innovation and Design of Health Products, Polytechnic University of Guarda, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal * Correspondence: filipamelo@ff.uc.pt (F.M.-M.); rfigueiras@ff.uc.pt (A.F.)† These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: Background: Ganoderma lucidum (GL), commonly known as the “Lingzhi” or“Reishi” mushroom, has long been recognized for its potential health benefits and medicinal properties in traditional Chinese medicine. The unique potential combination of bioactive compounds present in GL, such as triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and peptides, has inspired interest in leveraging their therapeutic potential In recent years, the emerging field of nanotechnology has opened up new possibilities for using the remarkable properties of GL at the nanoscale. Objetive: The main objective of this review is to explore the unique potential of GL in traditional and innovative therapies, particularly in cancer treatment, and to assess how nanotechnology-based strategies can enhance its [therapeutic applications.is](therapeutic applications.is) to explore. Results: Nanotechnology-based strategies have been investigated for the efficient extraction and purification of bioactive compounds from GL. Additionally, nanocarriersand nanoformulations have been developed to protect these sensitive bioactive compounds from degradation, ensuring their stability during storage and transportation. The use of GL-based nanomaterials has shown promising results in several biomedical applications, namely due to their anticancer activity by targeting cancer cells, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting tumor growth. Conclusions: The combination of GL and nanotechnology presentsan exciting frontier in the development of novel therapeutic and biomedical applications. Nevertheless, further research and

FAQs

What is the main focus of the review on Ganoderma lucidum?

The review explores GL’s unique therapeutic potential in traditional and innovative therapies, particularly for cancer treatment, and evaluates how nanotechnology-based strategies can enhance these applications.

How does nanotechnology improve the use of GL-based bioactive compounds?

Nanotechnology-based approaches support efficient extraction and purification and enable nanocarriers/nanoformulations that protect sensitive bioactive compounds from degradation, improving storage and transportation stability.

What anticancer effects of GL-based nanomaterials are highlighted?

GL-based nanomaterials show promising results by targeting cancer cells, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting tumor growth.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by James