Medicinal properties of fungi occurring on Betula sp. trees. A review

Abstract

The article presents the chemical costituents and pharmacological properties of polyporoid fungi found on birch, namely Piptoporus betulinus, Inonotus obliquus, Lenzites betulina, Fomes fomentarius, and Trametes versicolor. The in vitro and in vivo studies on the effect of different extracts from above-mentioned fungi on the human organism shown anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and immunostimulant activity, conditioned by the presence of such compounds as polysaccharides, polyphenols or terpenes. These fungi are commonly found in Poland and may superbly compete with Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) or Lentinula edodes (Shitake) used in Asia for medicinal purposes.

Keywords

• polypore fungi fruiting bodies
• Piptoporus betulinus
• Inonotus obliquus
• Lenzites betulina
• Fomes fomentarius
• Trametes versicolor