Ganoderma species are medicinal polypore fungi with documented antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Although G. lucidum has been widely studied, African species have received less attention. This study examined two recently identified West African species: Ganoderma enigmaticum M.P.A. and Ganoderma mbrekobenum E. C. Otto. Species verification was performed by sequencing the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region. Polyphenols, polysaccharides, and oligosaccharides were extracted from lyophilized fruiting bodies and chemically analyzed using Folin-Ciocalteu and Anthrone assays. Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, and antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated via the broth microdilution method. Anticancer effects of extracts were tested on HepG2, HCT116, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines using the XTT assay. G. enigmaticum exhibited higher concentrations of phenolics and carbohydrates; the oligosaccharide from G. mbrekobenum demonstrated greater antioxidant (~90% inhibition) and antibacterial activity (90% - 98% inhibition). Polyphenolic and polysaccharide extracts from both species inhib ited cancer cell proliferation, with G. mbrekobenum phenolics showing a low IC 50 value (7 . 70 μg/mL) against HepG2, and polysaccharides from G. enigmaticum recording IC 50 values of 7.75 μg/mL and 7.91 μg/mL for MDA-MB-231 and HCT116 cells , respect ively. The findings suggest that metabolites derived from tropical Ganoderma species merit additional investigations for their potential use as nutraceuticals and therapeutic agents.
Sharma, I., Wilson, R.C., Zhu, N. and Rawson, T.M. (2025) Does Anticancer Therapy Directly Contribute to Antimicrobial Resistance? The Lancet Microbe , 6, Article 101115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanmic.2025.101115
Cornejo-Juárez, P., Vilar-Compte, D., Pérez-Jiménez, C., Ñamendys-Silva, S.A., Sandoval-Hernández, S. and Volkow-Fernández, P. (2015) The Impact of Hospital-Acquired Infections with Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in an Oncology Intensive Care Unit. International Journal of Infectious Diseases , 31, 31-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2014.12.022
El Sheikha, A.F.E. (2022) Nutritional Profile and Health Benefits of Ganoderma Lucidum “Lingzhi, Reishi, or Mannentake” as Functional Foods: Current Scenario and Future Perspectives. Foods , 11, Article 1030. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11071030
Moradali, M.F., Hediaroude, G.A., Mostafavi, H., Abbasi, M., Ghods, S. and Sharifi-Tehrani, A. (2007) The Genus Ganoderma (Basdiomycota) in Iran. Mycotaxon , 99, 251-269.
Łysakowska, P., Sobota, A. and Wirkijowska, A. (2023) Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production—A Review. Molecules , 28, Article 5393. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145393
Rahimnia, R., Akbari, M.R., Yasseri, A.F., Taheri, D., Mirzaei, A., Ghajar, H.A., et al . (2023) The Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum Polysaccharide Extract on Sensitizing Prostate Cancer Cells to Flutamide and Docetaxel: An in Vitro Study. Scientific Reports , 13, Article 18940. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-46118-8
Mao, Y.H., Song, A.X., Li, Q., et al . (2020) Effects of Exopolysaccharide Fractions with Different Molecular Weights and Compositions on Fecal Microflora during in Vitro Fermentation. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules , 144, 76-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.12.072
Wang, H., Tang, R., Jiang, L. and Jia, Y. (2024) The Role of PIK3CA Gene Mutations in Colorectal Cancer and the Selection of Treatment Strategies. Frontiers in Pharmacology , 15, Article 1494802. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1494802
Adotey, G., Alolga, R.N., Quarcoo, A., Yerenkyi, P., Otu, P., Anang, A.K., et al . (2023) Molecular Identification and Characterization of Five Ganoderma Species from the Lower Volta River Basin of Ghana Based on Nuclear Ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) Sequences. Journal of Fungi , 10, Article 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10010006
Stojek, K., Bobrowska-Korczak, B., Kusińska, B., Czerwonka, M., Decruyenaere, J., Decock, L., et al . (2024) Factors Affecting Composition of Fatty Acids in Wild-Growing Forest Mushrooms. Mycologia , 116, 381-391. https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.2024.2325045
Glamočlija, J., Ćirić, A., Nikolić, M., Fernandes, Â., Barros, L., Calhelha, R.C., et al . (2015) Chemical Characterization and Biological Activity of Chaga ( Inonotus obliquus ), a Medicinal “Mushroom”. Journal of Ethnopharmacology , 162, 323-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.12.069
Largent, D.L. (1986) How to Identify Mushrooms to Genus: Macroscopic Features. 3rd Edition, Mad River Press Inc.
Largent, D.L., Johnson, D. and Watling, R. (1977) How to Identify Mushrooms to Genus III: Microscopic Features. Mad River Press Inc.
Xiang, Z., Liu, L., Xu, Z., Kong, Q., Feng, S., Chen, T., et al . (2024) Solvent Effects on the Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity Associated with camellia Polyodonta Flower Extracts. ACS Omega , 9, 27192-27203. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c01321
Espinosa-Martos, I., Rico, E. and Rupèrez, P. (2006) Note. Low Molecular Weight Carbohydrates in Foods Usually Consumed in Spain. Food Science and Technology International , 12, 171-175. https://doi.org/10.1177/1082013206063838
Zangeneh, M., Derakhshankhah, H., Modarresi, M., Haghshenas, B., Foroozanfar, Z. and Izadi, Z. (2025) In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant, Probiotic, and Antiproliferative Activity of Ganoderma Lucidum-Extracted Polysaccharides for the Prevention of Complication Associated with Gastrointestinal Inflammatory Diseases. Heliyon , 11, e42936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42936
Lee, J.E., Jayakody, J.T.M., Kim, J.I., Jeong, J.W., et al . (2024) The Influence of Solvent Choice on the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Asteraceae: A Comparative Review. Foods , 13, Article 3151. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13193151
Zhu, L., Luo, X., Tang, Q., Liu, Y., Zhou, S., Yang, Y., et al . (2013) Isolation, Purification, and Immunological Activities of a Low-Molecular-Weight Polysaccharide from the Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma Lucidum (Higher Basidiomycetes). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms , 15, 407-414. https://doi.org/10.1615/intjmedmushr.v15.i4.80
Flores, G.A., Cusumano, G., Venanzoni, R. and Angelini, P. (2024) The Glucans Mushrooms: Molecules of Significant Biological and Medicinal Value. Polysaccharides , 5, 212-224. https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5030016
Chun, S., Gopal, J. and Muthu, M. (2021) Antioxidant Activity of Mushroom Extracts/Polysaccharides—Their Antiviral Properties and Plausible Anti-COVID-19 Properties. Antioxidants , 10, Article 1899. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10121899
El-Dein, M.M.N., El-Fallal, A.A., El-Sayed, A.K.A. and El-Esseily, S.R. (2023) Antimicrobial Activities of Ganoderma Mbrekobenum Strain EGDA (Agaricomycetes) from Egypt. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms , 25, 31-41. https://doi.org/10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.2023049502
Kolniak-Ostek, J., Oszmiański, J., Szyjka, A., Moreira, H. and Barg, E. (2022) Anticancer and Antioxidant Activities in Ganoderma Lucidum Wild Mushrooms in Poland, as Well as Their Phenolic and Triterpenoid Compounds. International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 23, Article 9359. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169359
Bayode, M.T., Awodire, E.F., Ojo, E.F., Adenikinju, G.O., et al . (2024) Polyphenolic Derivatives as Potential Ameliorative Agents for Microbial Superbugs: Mechanisms of Action, Cellular Pathways and Synergistic Selectivity with Chemotherapeutics. Discover Applied Sciences , 6, Article No. 484. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-06107-6
Puño-Sarmiento, J., Anderson, E.M., Park, A.J., Khursigara, C.M. and Barnett Foster, D.E. (2020) Potentiation of Antibiotics by a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide against Shiga Toxin Producing E. coli O157: H7. Scientific Reports , 10, Article No. 10029. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66571-z
Ahmad, M.F., A. Alsayegh, A., Ahmad, F.A., Akhtar, M.S., Alavudeen, S.S., Bantun, F., et al . (2024) Ganoderma Lucidum: Insight into Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties with Development of Secondary Metabolites. Heliyon , 10, e25607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25607
Kauffmann, A.C. and Castro, V.S. (2023) Phenolic Compounds in Bacterial Inactivation: A Perspective from Brazil. Antibiotics , 12, Article 645. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040645
Lobiuc, A., Paval, N.E., Mangalagiu, I.I., Gheorghita, R., et al . (2023) Future Antimicrobials: Natural and Functionalized Phenolics. Molecules , 28, Article 1114. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031114
Hu, H., Liu, Y.C., Liang, X., et al . (2021) Artificial Cultivation Anti-Tumor Activity of Ganoderma mbrekobenum . Sains Malaysiana , 50, 723-733. https://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2021-5003-14
Toson, E.A., El-Fallal, A.A., Oransa, M.A. and El-Gharabawy, H.M. (2025) In Vitro Antitumor Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Three Ganoderema Mushrooms. Scientific Reports , 15, Article No. 2274. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86162-0
Yang, Y., Kim, S. and Seki, E. (2019) Inflammation and Liver Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets. Seminars in Liver Disease , 39, 26-42. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1676806
Zhao, P., Mao, J.M., Zhang, S.Y., Zhou, Z.Q., et al . (2014) Quercetin Induces HepG2 Cell Apoptosis by Inhibiting Fatty Acid Biosynthesis. Oncology Letters , 8, 765-769. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2014.2159
Naoi, M., Wu, Y., Shamoto-Nagai, M. and Maruyama, W. (2019) Mitochondria in Neuroprotection by Phytochemicals: Bioactive Polyphenols Modulate Mitochondrial Apoptosis System, Function and Structure. International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 20, Article 2451. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20102451
Hertel, A. and Storchová, Z. (2025) The Role of P53 Mutations in Early and Late Response to Mitotic Aberrations. Biomolecules , 15, Article 244. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15020244
Liu, X., Xu, Y., Li, Y., Pan, Y., Sun, Z., Zhao, S. and Hou, Y. (2020) Ganoderma lucidum Fruiting Body Extracts Inhibit Colorectal Cancer by Inducing Apoptosis, Autophagy, G0/G1 Phase Cell Cycle Arrest in Vitro and in Vivo . American Journal of Translational Research , 12, 2675-2684.
Tamanna, S., Perumal, E. and Rajanathadurai, J. (2024) Enhanced Apoptotic Effects in MDA-MB-231 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells through a Synergistic Action of Luteolin and Paclitaxel. Cureus , 16, e65159. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.65159
Jiang, J., Slivova, V., Harvey, K., Valachovicova, T. and Sliva, D. (2004) Ganoderma Lucidum Suppresses Growth of Breast Cancer Cells through the Inhibition of AKT/NF- κ B Signaling. Nutrition and Cancer , 49, 209-216. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327914nc4902_13
Rios-Fuller, T.J., Ortiz-Soto, G., Lacourt-Ventura, M., Maldonado-Martinez, G., Cubano, L.A., Schneider, R.J., et al . (2018) Ganoderma lucidum Extract (GLE) Impairs Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Targeting the STAT3 Pathway. Oncotarget , 9, 35907-35921. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.26294
Cháirez-Ramírez, M.H., de la Cruz-López, K.G. and García-Carrancá, A. (2021) Polyphenols as Antitumor Agents Targeting Key Players in Cancer-Driving Signaling Pathways. Frontiers in Pharmacology , 12, Article 710304. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.710304
Jin, H., Li, M., Tian, F., Yu, F. and Zhao, W. (2022) An Overview of Anti-Tumour Activity of Polysaccharides. Molecules , 27, Article 8083. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27228083
Wang, M. and Yu, F. (2022) Research Progress on the Anticancer Activities and Mechanisms of Polysaccharides from Ganoderma. Frontiers in Pharmacology , 13, Article 891171. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.891171