The Phytochemistry of Ganoderma Species and their Medicinal Potentials Renald Blundell, *, † Emma Camilleri, * Bikash Baral, ‡ Tomasz M. Karpiński, § Edlira Neza ¶ and Omar M. Atrooz || * Department of Physiology and Biochemistry Faculty of Medicine and Surgery † Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking University of Malta, MSD2080 Imsida, Malta ‡ Institute of Biological Resources (Ibr), Kathmandu, Nepal § Chair and Department of Medical Microbiology Pozna n University of Medical Sciences Rokietnicka 10, 60-806 Pozna n, Poland ¶ Western Balkans University Autostrada Tirane-Durres km 7, Albania || Department of Biological Sciences, Mutah University P. O. Box (7), Mutah, Jordan Published Abstract: The Ganoderma genus is known for its diverse use as a functional food and therapeutic agent. This fungus has over 428 species, with Ganoderma lucidum being the most studied. The Ganoderma species produce several secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds like polysaccharides, phenols, and triterpenes, which are largely responsible for their therapeutic properties. Throughout this review, several extracts obtained from Gano- derma species have been studied to delve into their therapeutic characteristics and mechanisms. Such properties like immunomodulation, antiaging, antimicrobial, and anti- cancer activities have been demonstrated by several Ganoderma species and are supported by a large body of evidence. Although its phytochemicals play a vital role in its therapeutic properties, identifying the therapeutic potentials of fungal-secreted metabolites for human health-promoting benefits is a challenging task. Identification of novel compounds with distinct chemical scaffolds and their mechanism of action could help suppress the spread of rising pathogens. Thus, this review provides an updated and comprehensive overview of the Correspondence to: Prof. Renald Blundell, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Imsida MSD2080, Malta. Tel/Fax: (þ356) 2340 3185, E-mail: renald.blundell@um. edu.mt The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, Vol. 51, No. 3, 1–24 © 2023 World Scientific Publishing Company Institute for Advanced Research in Asian Science and Medicine DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X23500404 1 March 23, 2023 11:50:08am WSPC/174-AJCM 2350040 ISSN: 0192-415X 1stReading 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43