Evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities of ethanol extracts from different varieties of Sanghuang species

Sanghuangporus sanghuang (S. sanghuang) is a rare fungal species that grows on wild mulberry trees, and its yield is much lower than that of valuable medicinal herbs such as saffron and other fungal species such as Cordyceps sinensis and Antrodia cinnamomea. The annual production of Sanghuangporus vaninii (S. vaninii) is approximately 40 tons. Sanghuangporus baumii (S. baumii) is widely distributed and commonly used. Most studies so far have focused on Tropicoporus linteus (T. linteus). These three Sanghuang varieties (T. linteus, S. vaninii, S. baumii) are currently considered as having the best pharmacological efficacy. Until now, no reports have demonstrated that S sanghuang has the same efficacy as that of T. linteus and S. baumii. The objective of this study was to analyze the pharmacological activity of the wild medicinal fungus S. sanghuang (on Morus) in comparison with that of other commonly available Sanghuang varieties. The results of this study provide a basis for future use of these Sanghuang species as dietary supplements or therapeutic agents. We evaluated the cancer cell inhibition, free radical scavenging ability, and anti-inflammatory effects of the three Sanghuang varieties. The results showed S. sanghuang to be the most efficacious Sanghuang basidiocarp of the two varieties, rich in polyphenolic compounds, having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tumor suppressive ability, and indicating a possible use of this variety as dietary supplements or natural herbal medicine in the future.