Vol. 6, Issue 12 (2017)

Author(s):
Kudrat Randhawa and Richa Shri

Abstract:
Mushrooms are reported to be nutritionally as well therapeutically beneficial to humans. They contain a wide variety of biologically active components which are responsible for their significant antimicrobial, antitumor, immunological, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic activities. Pleurotus mushrooms have, since long, been a part of human diet and traditional medicine. Pleurotus sajor-caju is a mushroom with high nutritional and therapeutic value as reported in various studies. This review is a compilation of the scientific investigations on the pharmacological activities of P. sajor-caju. This mushroom contains polysaccharides, triterpenoids, fatty acids, enzymes and is reported to have antitumor, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, antioxidant activities. Therefore, it shows great potential to be developed as a natural therapy for various diseases.