Cancer is the second-ranked disease and a cause of death for millions of people around the world despite many kinds of available treatments. Phytochemicals are considered a vital source of cancer-inhibiting drugs and utilize specific mechanisms including carcinogen inactivation, the induction of cell cycle arrest, anti-oxidant stress, apoptosis, and regulation of the immune system. Family Fabaceae is the second most diverse family in the plant kingdom, and species of the family are widely distributed across the world. The species of the Fabaceae family are rich in phytochemicals (flavonoids, lectins, saponins, alkaloids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids), which exhibit a variety of health benefits, especially anti-cancer properties; therefore, exploration of the phytochemicals present in various members of this family is crucial. These phytochemicals of the Fabaceae family have not been explored in a better way yet; therefore, this review is an effort to summarize all the possible information related to the phytochemical status of the Fabaceae family and their anti-cancer properties. Moreover, various research gaps have been identified with directions for future research.

Volvariella volvacea, commonly referred to as paddy straw mushroom, is renowned for its remarkable medicinal and nutritional properties. This mushroom, part of the family Pluteaceae, thrives in tropical and subtropical regions and is highly esteemed for its distinctive flavor and substantial health benefits. The fruiting body of V. volvacea is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including antioxidant enzymes, terpenes, polypeptides, sugars, phenolics, and flavonoids. These compounds exhibit an extensive range of therapeutic activities such as anti-tumor, anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-malarial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects. Nutritionally, V. volvacea is an excellent source of carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, ascorbic acid, and essential minerals. It also boasts a comprehensive profile of amino acids, including valine, arginine, glutamine, serine, aspartic acid, leucine, isoleucine, tyrosine, asparagine, lysine, cystine, proline, glycine, tryptophan, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, and histidine. This review emphasizes the significant medicinal and nutritional potential of V. volvacea, advocating its inclusion as a functional food to enhance human health and well-being. By highlighting its diverse bioactive compounds and therapeutic benefits, this review aims to foster greater recognition and utilization of paddy straw mushroom in both dietary and medicinal applications.

The genus Trichoderma holds economic significance due to its widespread distribution and diverse applications, including biological control, enzyme production, and various biotechnological uses. The accurate identification of Trichoderma species is crucial given their close association with human activities. Despite previous efforts in classification, a comprehensive analysis combining morphological and molecular approaches is necessary. This study focuses on the isolation of four Trichoderma species from industrial wastewater in Pakistan, expanding on the known diversity in the region; isolation involved collecting samples from industrial wastewater effluents at specific sites in Punjab, Pakistan. Trichoderma strains were cultured and purified on solid media, with subsequent biomass production for bisorptional activity. Morphological characterization included colony features and microscopic examinations. DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were conducted for molecular analysis. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the Maximum Likelihood Algorithm. The study identified three Trichoderma species, viz. T. citrinoviride, T. erinaceum, and T. longibrachiatum. Each species was characterized morphologically and supported by molecular–phylogenetic analysis. Illustrations of microscopic features and a phylogenetic tree based on the ITS-nrDNA region were recorded. T. citrinoviride and T. longibrachiatum, isolated from steel mill and tanneries wastewater, respectively, were differentiated based on morphological characteristics such as phialides and conidia. The combination of morphological and molecular techniques enhances the accuracy of species identification. The study highlights the significance of Trichoderma in industrial wastewater environments and underscores the need for continued research in this area. Future research should focus on exploring the ecological roles and potential applications of the newly identified Trichoderma species. Additionally, further investigations into the biotechnological potential of these species, including enzyme production and bioremediation capabilities, would contribute to their practical applications.

The current study presents a Ganoderma sp., as a new record from three different localities of districts Lahore and Gujranwala of Punjab province, Pakistan. Based on morpho-anatomical characteristics, collected specimens were identified as Ganoderma curtisii. The macroscopic and microscopic features of G. curtisii include; semicircular to kidney shaped laccate pileus that is beautifully lacquered, duplex context, resinous bands, no concentric growth zones, pore surface white to cream brown and sub circular to circular pores, stipe lateral making an angle with the pileus (45-90 degrees), basidiospores 11.4 × 5.7 µm, ellipsoidal with the hyaline vesicular appendix double walled, trimitic hyphal system and club shaped cutis. The detailed study of different Ganoderma species from the published literature and comparisons with those species confirmed the identity of our specimen as G. curtisii. In this article, taxonomic descriptions, micrographs and illustrations elaborate the morphological and anatomical characters of Ganoderma curtisii, a distribution map of this species across Pakistan and a comparison table of morphoanatomical characteristics of Ganoderma curtisii reported from neighbouring countries is given. Conduction of molecular studies, investigation of ecological roles, development of conservational strategies, and exploration of biotechnological exploration are future perspectives for this taxon.

In efforts to record pathogenic fungal diversity on ornamental plants of Pakistan, infected leaves of Chlorophytum comosum plants were collected from commercial nursery in Lahore, Pakistan. Investigation of leafspot symptoms led to identification of an ascomycete fungus, Thielavia terrestris. Analysis for fungal identification involved morphological, microscopic and molecular methods. ITS-nrDNA sequence data were used to construct molecular phylogenetic tree of Thielavia with allied species. The fungus was confirmed as T. terrestris. This is the first report of T. terrestris causing disease in C. comosum and it is also a new record for Pakistan.

In efforts to record fungal biodiversity of Pakistan, specimens of genus Bolbitius Fr., namely B. coprophilus (Peck) Hongo, collected from two different localities with arid to semi-arid climate of Punjab province, have been described and identified based on morphological and ITS-nrDNA sequence data. The genus is not quite common in Pakistan since only one species of Bolbitius has been reported so far. In current study, B. coprophilus is presented as a new record and second report of the genus from the country after 40 years. Distribution records of B. coprophilus and a morphological comparison with closely related taxa are also provided.