Medicinal and therapeutic potential of Trametes versicolor (L.) lloyd: bioactive compounds, pharmacological properties and clinical perspectives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/IJPR.2026.6.4.1-6Keywords:
Trametes versicolor, Mushroom, Polysaccharide-K, Polysaccharopeptide, Immunomodulation, Anticancer activity, Pharmacological potentialAbstract
Trametes versicolour (L.) Lloyd, referred to as the turkey tail mushroom, is a medicinal polypore fungus that has garnered significant scientific attention due to its several bioactive constituents and prospective therapeutic uses. Historically employed in Asian therapeutic practices, this fungus is currently under investigation for its immunomodulatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic properties. The primary bioactive components encompass polysaccharide-K (PSK), polysaccharopeptide (PSP), β-glucans, phenolic substances, and other fungal metabolites. PSK has garnered notable interest for its use as a supplementary therapy to traditional cancer treatments in Japan. Empirical studies indicate that these substances could affect immune cell function, cytokine communication, oxidative stress, and cancer-related biological processes. Nonetheless, the substantiation for these activities differs significantly, with the most robust clinical studies pertaining to certain standardised formulations utilised in oncology. Numerous additional suggested applications, such as diabetic management, liver protection, antibiotic treatment, and manipulation of the gut flora, are primarily in the preclinical stage. This analysis investigates the principal bioactive components of T. versicolour, explores their documented pharmacological effects, assesses existing clinical data, and highlights issues with standardisation, safety, and therapeutic application. Additional meticulously structured clinical trials and thorough chemical analysis are essential to ascertain the effectiveness and safety of certain formulations.
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