Ganoderic acid, lanostanoid triterpene: a key player in apoptosis

Cancer is a multifactorial disease, causing behavioral and metabolic alterations, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation with collateral weakening of immune system. Crucial balance between cell proliferation and cell death determines the fate of a cell, which might progress towards survival or apoptosis. Apoptosis is a complex, programmed, and highly regulated process causing dramatic morphological and biochemical perturbations in the cellular machinery. Ganoderma lucidum is a basidiomycetes, polypore mushroom known for its pharmacological properties in cancer. The major bioconstituents in G. lucidum are terpenoids, polysaccharides, and proteins that target cancer-signaling factors like plasma membrane receptors proteins and adapter molecules. Of all constituents, the major terpenoid, i.e. Ganoderic acid is reported to interact with membrane receptors mainly, receptor tyrosine kinase (RTKs). Ganoderic acid interacts and modulates the signaling network in IR, IGFR-1, IGFR-2, VEGFR-1, VEFGR-2, and EGFR in cancer signaling pathways. It primarily targets NF-κB, RAS-MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and cell cycle resulting in apoptosis. This review highlights the role of ganoderic acid in apoptosis and modulations of various signaling proteins in cancer.