牛樟芝(Taiwanofugus camphoratus)又稱為牛樟菇(Niu-chang-chih, Chang-chih)、樟菇、紅樟芝、血靈芝、窟內菰、神明菇等,是台灣珍貴特有種真菌。近十年來許多研究已發現牛樟芝的幾類主要化合物如1.倍半萜類化合物(Sesquiterpenoid):Antrocin。2.三萜類化合物(Triterpenoids)又分為ergostane類與lanostane類,其中ergostane類三萜類化合物:antcin A, antcin B, antcinC, antcin H, antcin K, methyl antcinate A, methyl antcinate B等,是牛樟芝中最主要活性成分;lanostane類三萜類化合物:eburicoic acid, dehydroeburicoic acid, dehydrosulphurenic acid。3.具五圓環結構的Furan或Pyrrole類化合物:Antrodin C。4.苯環類化合物(Benzenoids):Antrocamphin A, 2,3,5-trimethoxy-4-cresol(TMC),4,7-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole(DMB), 2,4-Dimethoxy-6-methylbenzene-1,3-diol(DMD)。5.泛醌類(Ubiquinones)化合物:Antroquinonol, Antroquinonol D,4-acetylantroquinonol B。6. EK100等具有相當多藥理活性,如抗發炎、抗氧化、抗癌、抗病毒、護肝、保護腎臟、免疫調節、降血糖、降血脂等,甚至對癌症幹細胞的抑制活性,同時與多種化療藥物合併使用,具協同作用且能減少化療藥物使用劑量,降低副作用極具抗癌潛力,也提供輔助藥物治療成為抗癌研究新發展方向。
Taiwanofugus camphoratus (known as Niu-chang-chih in Chinese medicine) is a precious fungus indigenous to Taiwan used as a traditional medicine. The compounds identified in Niu-chang-chih are predominantly sesquiterpenoid, triterpenoids, furan or pyrrole derivatives, benzenoid derivatives, ubiquinones derivatives, EK100. Otherwise, triterpenoids are the major bioactive constituents of T. camphoratus. Recent research has revealed that Niu-chang-chih possesses extensive biological activity, such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-virus, hepato-protective effects, reno-protective effects, immune-regulation, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-hyperlipidemic and anticancer stem cell activities. Its activity is comparable to that of chemotherapy drugs but without the chemotherapy drugs associated side effects. These novel pharmacological activities of Niu-chang-chih suggest it has great potential for development into an adjuvant therapy for use with the chemotherapeutic drugs to combat cancers. In this article, we reviewed studies about the several pharmacological activities of the fruiting bodies and mycelia of T. camphoratus performed in different experimental models. The results of those studies suggest the potential application of T. camphoratus in preventing and treating diseases and its potential to be developed into health foods or new drugs.