• Rosalin Nath
• Dr. Kakali Bandyopadhyay
• Dolanchapa Sikdar
• Arnab Saha

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. The current anti-cancer drugs have numerous side effects. In a search for less toxic and effective treatment of cancer some prized mushrooms have been found to have validated anti-cancer properties. Numerous attempts have been made to assess their benefits for commercial purposes and cancer therapy. Certain bioactive molecules including polysaccharides, proteins, glycosides, alkaloids, volatile oils, tocopherols, phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid enzymes, and organic acids which are also anti-tumour agents have been identified from various mushrooms. The anti-cancer potential of mushrooms lies in lentinan, krestin, hispolon, lectin, calcaelin, illudin S, psilocybin, Hericium polysaccharide A & B (HPA & HPB), ganoderic acid, schizophyllan, laccase, etc. Psilocybin mushrooms are used in folk medicine though it’s not considered edible. Over 50 mushroom species have been found to yield immunoceuticals with anti-cancer properties for animals including six for human cancers. PSP (Polysaccharide-peptide) over the last 5 year tests have significantly improved quality of life with substantial pain relief besides enhancing immune status in most patients with cancers of stomach, oesophagus, lung, ovary, and cervix. PSK (Polysaccharid-K) and PSP boosted immune cell production, ameliorated chemotherapy symptoms, and enhanced tumours infiltration by dendritic and cytotoxic T-cells. These chemicals have extremely low side-effects, improve the quality of life, and highly compatible with chemo therapy and hence, well suited for cancer management regimens. So here in this review paper, anti-cancer drugs produced by edible & wild both mushrooms & their activity to prevent & cure cancer has been discussed briefly.

Keywords: Anti-cancer Drugs, Folk medicine, Immunoceuticals, cytotoxic T-cells, bioactive molecules.

"A Review on Mushroom: A Cancer Antidote", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 12, page no.764-772, December 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908114.pdf

"A Review on Mushroom: A Cancer Antidote", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 12, page no. pp764-772, December 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908114.pdf