Anti-cancer Potential of Pleurotus Mushroom: Detailed Insight on the Potential Bioactive Molecules, In vitro-In vivo Studies, and Formulation

Abstract

Abstract: Early mushrooms were categorized under functional food/ nutritional food. However, later on, an increasing number of scientific studies strongly support their role in disease prevention and suppression or remission of a diseased state. Mycotherapy of cancer, a new promising field, can deal with anti-cancerogenic agents derived from mushrooms. Rich in nutritive value, undemanding cultivation conditions, and with an army of health-promoting bioactive molecules, collectively makes Pleurotus mushroom ideal for a researcher to investigate the anticancer potential. The present review is a literature survey on electronic search by two database search engines: Science direct and Pub med on anticancer potential of Pleurotus species until 2021. This data profiling will fast track information regarding the in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of different types of Pleurotus species, along with identifying the bioactivemolecules responsible for anticancer potential with their underlying mechanism of action. Resultant findings from the electronic search revealed that till 2021, nearly 13 species of Pleurotus mushroom have been studied as anticancer potential. The biomarkers responsible for activity are mostly higher molecular weight molecules, comprising polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins, lectins, and enzymes. The lower molecular weight molecules like terpenoids, sterols, and phenolic compounds are less explored and untapped. The main underlying mechanism for the anticancer activity of Pleurotus mushrooms is the induction of the mitochondria intrinsic pathway. For anticancer, Pleurotus mushrooms are widely formulated as metal nanoparticles. Altogether, with this detailed insight may impart the researcher a path to be addressed, thus driving mass attention to identify novel,effective, and safer anticancer potential biomarker.