2. Academic Validation
  3. A Review on the Sources, Structures, and Pharmacological Activities of Lucidenic Acids

A Review on the Sources, Structures, and Pharmacological Activities of Lucidenic Acids

  • Molecules. 2023 Feb 12;28(4):1756. doi: 10.3390/molecules28041756.
Chengwen Zheng 1,  Panthakarn Rangsinth 1,  Polly H T Shiu 1,  Wen Wang 1,  Renkai Li 1,  Jingjing Li 2,  Yiu-Wa Kwan 3,  George P H Leung 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • 2 Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • 3 School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
PMID: 36838743 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041756
Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum has long been used as a multi-purpose plant and functional food. The pharmacological properties of G. lucidum are primarily attributed to its Polysaccharides and triterpenoids. Ganoderic and lucidenic acids are the two major triterpenoids groups in G. lucidum. Despite the discovery of 22 types of lucidenic acids, research on lucidenic acids is significantly less extensive compared to that on ganoderic acid. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, in this review, we aimed to summarize the sources, contents, chemical structures, and pharmacological effects, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-viral, neuroprotective, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, and anti-diabetic properties, of lucidenic acids. Studies on lucidenic acids are still preliminary and have several limitations. Therefore, more in-depth studies with optimal designs are essential for the development of lucidenic acids as medicines, functional foods, and nutraceuticals.

Keywords

Ganoderma lucidum; lucidenic acids; pharmacological effects.

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