Tree-inhabiting polypore fungi as sources of a cornucopia of bioactive compounds

Ancient trees are living ecosystems crucial for the maintenance of life on earth. In fact, old plants and shrubs providea continuous source of oxygen, food and wood essential for humans, animals and many microorganisms. Besidesthese benefits, old plants hold an incredible array of medicinal compounds as well as being an ideal breeding groundfor other medicinally significant organisms.It is well known that old trees host several species of fungi with documented as well as potentially new therapeuticeffects. Polypore mushrooms, recognized within models for environmental and conservation studies, have beenwidely employed in medicine over the last millennia for their anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory andantiviral properties