Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi) is a basidiomycete white rot macrofungus which has been
used extensively as "the mushroom of immortality" in China, Japan, Korea and other
Asian countries for 2000 years. A great deal of work has been carried out on therapeutic
potential of Ganoderma lucidum. The basidiocarp, mycelia and spores of Ganoderma lucidum
contain approximately 400 different bioactive compounds, which mainly include triterpenoids,
polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins/peptides and
trace elements which has been reported to have a number of pharmacological effects
including immunomodulation, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, chemo-preventive,
antitumor, chemo and radio protective, sleep promoting, antibacterial, antiviral (including
anti-HIV), hypolipidemic, anti-fibrotic, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-androgenic,
anti-angiogenic, anti-herpetic, antioxidative and radical-scavenging, anti-aging,
hypoglycemic, estrogenic activity and anti-ulcer properties. Ganoderma lucidum has
now become recognized as an alternative adjuvant in the treatment of leukemia, carcinoma,
hepatitis and diabetes. The macrofungus is very rare in nature rather not sufficient
for commercial exploitation for vital therapeutic emergencies, therefore, the cultivation
on solid substrates, stationary liquid medium or by submerged cultivation has become
an essential aspect to meet the driving force towards the increasing demands in the
international market. Present review focuses on the pharmacological aspects, cultivation
methods and bioactive metabolites playing a significant role in various therapeutic
applications.