Understanding Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst's multipronged potential in improving drug delivery methods and its application in the management of prostate cancer

Abstract

Introduction

Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent form of cancer in males worldwide, representing a significant global health concern and imposing a substantial health consequence. This type of cancer remains "localized" when tumour cells are confined to the prostate or have spread slightly past it (extra-prostatic extension), but have not metastasized to other areas of the body and is considered "advanced" when it progresses to other areas of the body.

Methods

The present review examines the literature relating Ganoderma lucidum to prostate cancer and the development in nanotechnology-based delivery systems. To relate all three and find a link, a thorough search of literature for more than past 3 decades was done on TCM Bank, TCMSP, PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Embase, and ScienceDirect with keywords such as ‘Lingzhi', Traditional Chinese Medicine,G. lucidum polysaccharides, role of TCM in prostate cancer.

Results

Conventional cancer treatments might result in significant adverse reactions, making compounds from natural origin a potentially favourable option for cancer therapy. Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), has been extensively utilized in Asian countries for more than two thousand years to promote health and life expectancy. The Shennong's Herbal Classic documented "Chizhi," "Qingzhi," "Heizhi," "Baizhi," "Huangzhi," and "Zizhi." All six varieties of Ganoderma enhance vision, reinforce muscles and bones, bolster renal function, and calm the nerves.Research has established that G. lucidum possesses substantial efficacy in preventing and treating various forms of cancer, including the cancer of the prostate. G. lucidum has demonstrated strong anticancer properties by targeting specific cancer cells, triggering apoptosis, and suppressing tumour growth. Furthermore, formulations utilizing nanotechnology have shown immunomodulatory effects by stimulating the activation of immune cells and improving the body's defence mechanisms.

Conclusion

G. lucidum, in conjunction with the endless possibilities of nanotechnology, offers a promising frontier in the advancement of innovative therapeutic and biological applications for the treatment of prostate cancer. Additional investigation and advancement in this interdisciplinary domain are necessary to fully harness the combined advantages provided by G. Lucidum and nanotechnology, ultimately resulting in groundbreaking advances in healthcare and well-being.