Biologically active compounds from Aphyllophorales (polypore) fungi

Area of Science:

• Mycology and Natural Product Chemistry
• Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Aphyllophorales fungi, commonly known as polypores, are a significant group within Basidiomycota.
• These fungi are distributed globally and represent a vast, largely untapped reservoir of bioactive compounds.
• Traditional herbal medicine has long utilized various polypore species for their health benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the biologically active natural products isolated from Aphyllophorales (polypores).
• To highlight the pharmacological potential of these natural products, including antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications on Aphyllophorales and their isolated compounds.
• Analysis of reported biological activities, including antimicrobial, antiviral, cytotoxic, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory effects.
• Identification of key compounds and their traditional uses.

Main Results:

• A significant percentage (estimated 75%) of tested polypore fungi display strong antimicrobial activity, suggesting potential for new antibiotic development.
• Numerous compounds exhibit antiviral, cytotoxic, and antineoplastic activities.
• Polysaccharides from fungal cell walls, known as biological response modifiers (BRM), demonstrate potent immunomodulatory and antitumor effects, with some already marketed as anticancer drugs in Japan.

Conclusions:

• Polypore fungi are a valuable source of diverse pharmacologically active natural products.
• Their compounds, particularly polysaccharides, show significant promise for therapeutic applications, especially in oncology and infectious diseases.
• Further research into Aphyllophorales is warranted to fully explore their medicinal potential.