قارچ های پزشکی در درمان سرطان: اثرات ضد سرطانی و مکانیسم های فرضی در عمل Medicinal mushrooms in adjuvant cancer therapies: an approach to anticancer effects and presumed mechanisms of action

Background It is well established that the consumption of medicinal mushrooms has beneficial effects on human health due to its therapeutic properties. Mushrooms have been used as food for centuries, representing an important source of nourishment and their consumption in some cultures is associated with disease prevention, treatment, and longevity. Medicinal species have been used by oriental countries as popular medicine in disease treatments. Over the past 30 years, scientific and medical research in Japan, China, and Korea and recently in the USA have confirmed the properties and unique compounds extracted of mushrooms for prevention and treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. There are approximately 10,000 species of fungi, of which 50 to 200 have medicinal properties. Distinct species contain fundamental chemical constituents and macro- and micronutrients. They are a rare source of ergothioneine, proteins, selenium, essential amino acids, vitamins, and fibers [1, 2]. Preliminary evidences suggest that mushrooms such as Agaricus, Amauroderma, Coprinus, Ganoderma, Grifola, Lentinula, Phellinus, Pleurotus, and Polyozellus genera may support healthy immune and inflammatory responses. Major bioactive mushrooms are β-glucans, β- proteoglycans, lectins, triterpenes, ergosterol, glutamine, and arginine [3, 4]. Some preclinical and clinical studies suggest impacts of mushrooms on cancer treatment due to their antitumor and anticarcinogenic effects [5]. Their consumption is associated with disease prevention, treatment, and longevity. Cancer is a leading cause of death all over the world, and according to the WHO reports, millions of people will die of cancer if the disease is untreated, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where resources available for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer are limited or nonexistent. Cancer as a chronic disease may cause death or promote long lasting effects throughout the lifetime of the patient. The major challenge faced by the entire world is to find a cure for cancer [6]. Conventional therapies used in cancer treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, depending on the type of cancer and the stage of tumors’ development. Anticancer treatment is complex and causes several side effects in clinical management. Those side effects include reduced caloric intake and decreased absorption of nutrients that could jeopardize and reduce the quality of life of cancer patients [7]. Also, they result in damage and weakening of patient’s natural immunological defenses [3, 5]. Some mushrooms’ extract has shown promising effects on cancer therapies. The source of their biologically active compounds is due to their capacity to grow in the darkness and dampness in highly competitive environments. To protect themselves from the attack of other organisms, they developed natural protective substances. Several scientific studies have isolated substances from many mushrooms with potential benefits for humans [5].