The Mushroom Albatrellus confluens: A Minireview on Phytochemistry, Biosynthesis, Synthesis and Pharmacological Activities

Background: Albatrellus confluens is one of the representative species in the Polyporaceae family. Its major mero terpenoid grifolin and related compounds have the potential for drug applications. Objective: The current study aims to briefly provide an insightful view of the phytochemistry, biosynthesis, synthesis, and pharmacology of A. confluens metabolites. Methods: Data collection was performed using electronic resources, e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed, and Sci-Finder from the 1990s to the present, while Albatrellus confluens is the most meaningful keyword in the search for publications. The Latin name Albatrellus confluens (Alb. & Schwein.) Kotl. & Pouzar is in accordance with the name listing on www.mycobank.org. Results: By chromatography column procedures, it indicated that A. confluens species was associated with the presence of 57 secondary metabolites, in which nitrogenous compounds, meroterpenoids, polyene pyrones, and polyesters can be seen as the main phytochemical classes. L-isoleucine was the parent molecule in biosynthetic and synthetic steps of A. confluens nitrogenous compounds. Numerous experiments revealed that A. confluens isolated compounds have a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, and neuroprotective and skin whitening activities. Some isolates become potential cancer inhibitors. Grifolin induced apoptosis and promoted cell cycle arrest in A2780 ovarian cancer cells via the inactivation of the ERK1/2/Akt signaling pathway. Grifolic acid caused osteosarcoma cancer cell deaths by inhibiting NADH generation and ATP production without obvious toxicity. Neoalbaconol caused apoptosis and necroptosis in mice bearing nasopharyngeal C666-1 cancer cells via PDK1-PI3K/Akt signaling inhibition. Conclusion: The continuation of chromatographic separation and biomedical research is expected. Modern biological assays for explaining the pharmacological values of A. confluens constituents are warranted. Toxicological and pharmacokinetic assessments are urgently needed.