Unlocking nature’s pharmacy: diversity of medicinal properties and mycochemicals in the family Hymenochaetaceae (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota)

Hymenochaetaceae is a large and noteworthy family of macrobasidiomycetes predominantly growing on woody plants. Several Hymenochaetaceae members have a long history of recognition in traditional medicine and modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated their therapeutic properties. This review comprehensively surveys the studies on biological activities and mycochemical compounds reported from the Hymenochaetaceae species so far. There are 124 potential species from 27 genera in Hymenochaetaceae with at least one bioactive metabolite and/or biological property. A diverse range of metabolites were found (ca. 500 compounds) classified mainly into terpenoids, styrylpyrones, steroids, phenolics, polysaccharides, and other compounds. Numerous novel sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, and styrylpyrones have been isolated from the family. Medicinal properties cover a range of about 100 types of bioactivities, more predominantly antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. The role of Hymenochaetaceae members in aesthetic medicine is also discussed. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions reveal that the medicinal species are distributed in 27 monophyletic clades, and 20 medicinal species are types of their respective genera (generic types). So far most of medicinal Hymenochaetaceae species are shown to be distributed in Asia, particularly in China. Considering the drawbacks imposed by improper characterization of Hymenochaetaceae isolates in biomedical studies, general recommendations are given with the aim of encouraging greater focus on accurately identifying the medicinal fungal species.