Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
the immune system, and increasing longevity. Accordingly,
Ganoderma
works
in the treatment of cancer because it helps cleanse the body from toxins
and strengthen the immune system. It also enhances liver detoxification, thus
improving liver function and stimulating the regeneration of liver cells.
The chemical composition includes polysaccharides and lanosteroid triter-
penes. In the former class, many polysaccharides have been linked to immune-
stimulating effects (153-155). The latter class contains over 130 different triter-
penoids with diverse pharmacological activities (156). Examples of the polyoxy-
genated triterpene structures are ganoderic acids B (
P1
), C
2
(
P2
), and D (
P3
), as
well as ganoderiol F (
P4
), ganodermanondiol (
P5
), and ganodermanontriol (
P6
).
Because of its widespread use as a health food as well as for medicinal pur-
poses, the quality control of
G. lucidum
is quite important, and modern analytical
O
O
O
COOH
O
COOH
O
OH
OH
OH
HO
HO
H
H
P1
Ganoderic acid B
P2
Ganoderic acid C
2
CH
2
OH
O
O
COOH
CH
2
OH
O
OH
O
O
H
H
P4
Ganoderiol F
P3
Ganoderic acid D
OH
OH
R
CH
3
O
P5
Ganodermanondiol, R
=
CH
3
H
P6
Ganodermanontriol, R
=
CH
2
OH
Figure 14.19
Structures of
Ganoderma
triterpenes.
