Mushroom as an Anticancer Agent: A Review on Mechanisms, Bioactive Compounds, and Therapeutic Potential

Cancer remains one of the foremost global health burdens despite advancements in modern medicine. The limitations of conventional therapies, including chemotherapy and radiation, have driven interest toward complementary and alternative medicine. Among the promising candidates, mushrooms—long used in traditional healing systems—have emerged as a powerful source of anticancer compounds. This review highlights the history, classification, and medicinal importance of mushrooms in oncology, emphasizing their rich content of bioactive molecules such as polysaccharides, terpenoids, lectins, and phenolic compounds. These constituents exert their effects by enhancing immunity, promoting apoptosis, and inhibiting angiogenesis. As natural immunoceuticals, mushrooms hold potential as both standalone and adjunctive treatments in cancer therapy.

KEYWORDS: Medicinal mushrooms, Anticancer, Immunomodulation, Apoptosis