Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 259-274 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 270 8 Future Perspectives 8.1 Recommendations for future research To fully harness the therapeutic potential of Sanghuangporus, future research must address current gaps and challenges. First, there is a need for more comprehensive clinical trials to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and optimal dosage of Sanghuangporus in humans. These studies should involve large sample sizes and diverse populations to ensure that the findings are generalizable. Specifically, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials should be conducted to confirm the benefits of Sanghuangporus in preventing and treating various chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, liver diseases, and cardiovascular disorders (Ryu et al., 2022). Additionally, further investigation into the mechanisms of action of Sanghuangporus's bioactive compounds is essential. Understanding how these compounds interact with cellular pathways, immune modulation, and metabolic processes can help identify new therapeutic targets and enhance the efficacy of Sanghuangporus-based treatments. Advanced techniques like metabolomics, proteomics, and systems biology should be employed to explore these mechanisms at the molecular level. Moreover, research should focus on standardizing extraction methods to ensure the consistent quality of Sanghuangporus products, including identifying the specific bioactive components responsible for its pharmacological effects. 8.2 Prospects for integrating Sanghuangporus into modern healthcare Based on the irreplaceable and unique medicinal value of Sanghuangporus, integrating it into the modern healthcare system, coupled with strong policy support in recent years—particularly in the field of complementary and alternative medicine—the Sanghuangporus industry is expected to develop even more rapidly in the future (Zhou et al., 2023). As patients increasingly seek natural remedies with fewer side effects than conventional drugs, Sanghuangporus can be positioned as a safe and effective adjunct therapy for chronic diseases. To facilitate this integration, healthcare professionals need to be educated about Sanghuangporus's pharmacological properties, potential benefits, and safe usage guidelines. Incorporating Sanghuangporus into evidence-based practice will require robust clinical evidence, standardized extracts, and clear dosing recommendations. Sanghuangporus can also play a role in preventive healthcare. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties suggest that Sanghuangporus could be used to support overall health and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. Functional foods and dietary supplements containing standardized Sanghuangporus extracts could be promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle regimen. Additionally, Sanghuangporus could be used in integrative oncology as a complementary treatment to support cancer patients, potentially improving their quality of life by enhancing immune function and mitigating the side effects of conventional therapies (Ku and Kang, 2022). 8.3 Opportunities for developing novel therapeutic agents fromSanghuangporus The diverse bioactive compounds found in Sanghuangporus present opportunities for developing novel therapeutic agents. Polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and flavonoids isolated from Sanghuangporus have demonstrated significant pharmacological activities, including antitumor, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effects. By isolating and modifying these compounds, researchers can develop new drugs with targeted mechanisms of action. For example, Sanghuangporus-derived compounds could be optimized for enhanced anticancer activity, offering a new class of chemotherapeutic agents with potentially fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy. Furthermore, Sanghuangporus’s potential in the field of immunotherapy is noteworthy. Its immunomodulatory effects, which include enhancing natural killer cell activity and modulating cytokine production, could be harnessed to develop immune-enhancing therapies, particularly for patients with weakened immune systems or those undergoing treatments that suppress immunity. There is also the potential to use Sanghuangporus extracts or isolated compounds as adjuvants in vaccine formulations to enhance immune responses. In addition to pharmaceutical applications, Sanghuangporus can be explored in the development of functional foods aimed at specific health conditions. For example, Sanghuangporus-enriched foods could be developed for
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