Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma)

Background: Ganoderma lucidum spore oil (GLSO) is widely recognized for its notable medicinal and nutritional properties. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of GLSO extract in individuals with dyslipidemia. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 110 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the placebo group. A chi-square test of baseline characteristics confirmed no significant differences in age or sex distribution between the two groups. Results: After 12 weeks of intervention, the intervention group exhibited significantly lower levels of total cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alongside significantly higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), compared to the placebo group, with all differences reaching statistical significance. Furthermore, the relative percentage changes in lipid parameters also demonstrated significant intergroup differences. Safety analyses revealed that the intervention had no notable effects on renal function parameters, whereas hepatic function parameters showed statistically significant improvement in the intervention group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that GLSO extract effectively improved lipid profiles and liver function, with a favorable safety and tolerability profile. These findings strongly support the potential clinical application of GLSO extract in the management of dyslipidemia.

Psychological disparities impact physical activity and fitness in sedentary female college students by affecting cardiovascular efficiency. Ganoderma lucidum, vitality-enhancing herb alleviates health and rejuvenates the mind-body to improve endurance fitness. A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel design study was conducted to determine whether supplementation of G. lucidum in daily dosages of 500 mg (GL500mg group) and 1000 mg (GL1000mg group) improves psychophysiological health capabilities during the different phases of the experimental trial. Analysis for pre-experimental trial (day 0), experimental trial (day 15), and post-experimental trial (after day 30) on anthropometric, psychological, physiological, and physical fitness parameters were executed. Seventy-eight participants (n = 78, age 20.64 ± 3.21 years) were assigned randomly and equally divided (n = 26) to one of the three treatment groups for intragroup and intergroup comparisons. Significant differences in the post-experimental GL1000mg group for heart rate (HR), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), physical work capacity (PWC170), and right-hand grip strength (P < 0.05) compared with the placebo group were observed. GL1000mg-supplemented group also significantly improved (P < 0.05) HR, VO2max and PWC170 (P < 0.001) after pre- to post-trials. Experimental trial between placebo and GL1000mg group and post-experimental trial between the GL500mg and GL1000mg group showed significant changes in VO2max(P < 0.001) and PWC170 (P < 0.05). Anxiety, depression, vitality and positive well-being scores significantly improved, leading to improved psychological well-being after GL1000mg supplementation. GL1000mg supplementation for 30 days might act as a longevity-promoting tonic for endurance and strength performance by ameliorating stress to improve the overall psychophysiological health, vitality and quality of life for better cardiovascular efficacy.

Ganoderma lucidum (a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine) compounds may attenuate ageing-related physiological changes and restore normal immunity. However, studies on the physiological effects of Ganoderma lucidum dry extract food supplements are few. Therefore, here, we aimed to investigate the effects of Ganoderma lucidum dry extract food supplement on the lymphocyte function of older women. This was a double-blind clinical trial (n 60) with a final 39 older volunteers, divided into two groups Ganoderma lucidum (n 23) and placebo (n 16). The Ganoderma lucidum group received 2000 mg/d of Ganoderma lucidum dry extract for 8 weeks. We used flow cytometry to determine the lymphocyte profile. CD4+ lymphocyte gene expression was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We observed that in the Ganoderma lucidum group, concanavalin A stimulation increased lymphocyte proliferation. Further, we observed an increase in expression of Forkhead box P3, transforming growth factor-beta, IL-10, IL-6, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma, GATA-binding protein 3 and interferon gamma genes in the Ganoderma lucidum group. Furthermore, in the Ganoderma lucidum group, ionomycin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation led to decrease in Th17+ cells and increase in Th2+ cells. Thus, in older women, Ganoderma lucidum regulates T lymphocyte function leading to a predominant anti-inflammatory action but does not induce T lymphocyte proliferation through CD28 signalling pathway. © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

Ganoderma lucidum, a food-grade medicinal mushroom, is rich in biologically active components that offer significant health benefits. This study investigated the synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP-1) and ganoderic acid A (GAA) in RAW264.7 cells. GLP-1 was a low molecular weight β-D-glucan with an alternating backbone structure formed by →3)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → and →4)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → linkages. Notably, significant synergistic effects were observed at a mass concentration ratio of GAA: GLP-1 of 1:4. The combination of GLP-1 and GAA more effectively inhibited the production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to each component alone. Additionally, the combination increased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-10) and restored mitochondrial membrane potential. RT-qPCR and Western blot results suggested that GLP-1 and GAA may co-target the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways to achieve their synergistic anti-inflammatory effects. These findings provide valuable insights for future synergistic application of active ingredients from natural products.

Ganoderic acid T (GAT), a triterpenoid molecule of Ganoderma lucidum, exhibits anti-cancer activity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-cancer molecular mechanisms of GAT and explore its therapeutic applications for cancer treatment. GAT exhibited potent anti-cancer activity in an ES-2 orthotopic ovarian cancer model in a humanized mouse model, leading to significant alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Specifically, GAT reduced the proportion of α-SMA+ cells and enhanced the infiltration of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in tumor tissues. After conducting proteomic analysis, it was revealed that GAT downregulates galectin-1 (Gal-1), a key molecule in the TME. This downregulation has been confirmed in multiple cancer cell lines and xenograft tumors. Molecular docking suggested a theoretical direct interaction between GAT and Gal-1. Further research revealed that GAT induces ubiquitination of Gal-1. Moreover, GAT significantly augmented the anti-cancer effects of paclitaxel, thereby increasing intratumoral drug concentrations and reducing tumor size. Combined with immunotherapy, GAT enhanced the tumor-suppressive effects of the anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody and increased the proportion of CD8+ cells in the EMT6 syngeneic mammary cancer model. In conclusion, GAT inhibited tumor growth, downregulated Gal-1, modulated the TME, and promoted chemotherapy and immunotherapy efficacy. Our findings highlight the potential of GAT as an effective therapeutic agent for cancer.

A key characteristic of mushroom polysaccharides that elicit an immunomodulatory response is that they are rich in β-glucans and low in α-glucans. In this study we analysed nine commercially available preparations from three mushroom species, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa), for β- and α-glucan content. Based on β- and α-glucan content we selected three extracts to combine into a formula and evaluated the ability of the individual extracts and formula to impact on the expression of cytokines IL-1α, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in human macrophages with and without LPS stimulation. The majority of mushroom extracts and the formula were found to be highly potent immuno-stimulators possessing EC50 values lower than 100 μg/mL. Interestingly the mushroom formula had lower EC50 values in TNF-α expression from LPS stimulated macrophages compared to the individual extracts, suggesting a potential synergistic effect of the mushroom formula. A response additivity graph and curve-shift analysis illustrated that indeed the mushroom formula exhibited an immuno-stimulatory synergistic effect on the expression of the majority of cytokines evaluated in both LPS stimulated and non-stimulated human macrophages, with IL-10 having an antagonistic response. This study represents the first report of a synergistic immuno-modulatory response in human macrophages elicited from a mushroom formula rationally derived from β- and α-glucan content.

The first-line chemotherapy of colorectal cancer (CRC), besides surgery, comprises administration of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU). Apart from cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, 5FU may also cause adverse side effects. Ganoderma Lucidum (GLC) is a mushroom used in Traditional Eastern Medicine. We propose that natural compounds, particularly GLC extracts, may sensitize cancer cells to conventional chemotherapeutics. This combination therapy could lead to more selective cancer cell death and may improve the response to the therapy and diminish the adverse effects of anticancer drugs. Here we demonstrate that GLC induced oxidative DNA damage selectively in colorectal cancer cell lines, whereas it protected non-malignant cells from the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Accumulation of DNA damage caused sensitization of cancer cells to 5FU resulting in improved anticancer effect of 5FU. The results obtained in colorectal cell lines were confirmed in in vivo study: GLC co-treatment with 5FU increased the survival of treated mice and reduced the tumor volume in comparison with group treated with 5FU alone. Combination of conventional chemotherapeutics and natural compounds is a promising approach, which may reduce the effective curative dose of anticancer drugs, suppress their adverse effects and ultimately lead to better quality of life of CRC patients.

Retraction in Oncol Rep. 2026 Oct;56(4):175. doi: 10.3892/or.2026.9181. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs), isolated from spores, mycelia and fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, have been suggested to possess anticancer activities in a large number of basic studies. A recent survey revealed that GLP-induced inhibition of cancer cell growth was dependent on the existence of functional p53. However, the actual role of p53-mediated tumor-suppressing pathways in facilitating the anticancer effect of GLPs is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the interaction between GLPs and mutant p53 that exists in more than half of the known types of cancers. Our results showed that GLPs reactivated mutant p53 in colorectal cancer HT29 (p53R273H) and SW480 (p53R273H&P309S) cells while applied alone or together with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). This reactivation further induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis. In addition, western blot assay and in vitro cell-free apoptosis assay suggested that the activation of mutant p53 was effective in both a transcriptional-dependent and -independent pathway. Altogether, our data demonstrated for the first time that GLPs show prominent anticancer activities by reactivating several types of mutant p53. Therefore, targeting mutant p53 by GLPs alongside other chemotherapeutics may be considered as a novel treatment strategy for cancer.

9. Oncol Rep. 2017 Jan;37(1):594-600. doi: 10.3892/or.2016.5246. Epub 2016 Nov 15. Restoration of the tumor-suppressor function to mutant p53 by Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides in colorectal cancer cells. Jiang D(1), Wang L(1), Zhao T(1), Zhang Z(1), Zhang R(1), Jin J(1), Cai Y(1), Wang F(1).

Ganoderma lucidum is a herbal mushroom known to have many health benefits, including the inhibition of tumor cell growth. However, the effect of Ganoderma lucidum on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the most fatal gynecological malignancy, has not yet been reported. In this study, we determined whether Ganoderma lucidum regulates EOC cell activity. Using several cell lines derived from EOC, we found that Ganoderma lucidum strongly decreased cell numbers in a dose-dependent manner. Ganoderma lucidum also inhibited colony formation, cell migration and spheroid formation. In particular, Ganoderma lucidum was effective in inhibiting cell growth in both chemosensitive and chemoresistant cells and the treatment with Ganoderma lucidum significantly enhanced the effect of cisplatin on EOC cells. Furthermore, Ganoderma lucidum induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and also induced apoptosis by activating caspase 3. Finally, Ganoderma lucidum increased p53 but inhibited Akt expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that Ganoderma lucidum exerts multiple anti-tumor effects on ovarian cancer cells and can enhance the sensitivity of EOC cells to cisplatin.

The combined effects of ling-zhi polysaccharide fraction 3 (LZP-F3) and anticancer drugs (cisplatin and arsenic trioxide) were examined in three human urothelial carcinoma (UC) cells (parental, NTUB1; cisplatin-resistant, N/P(14); and arsenic-resistant, N/As(0.5)). MTT assay and median-effect analysis revealed that LZP-F3 could profoundly reverse the chemosensitivity of N/P(14) and N/As(0.5) to cisplatin and arsenic, respectively, in a dose-dependent manner, which involved activation of p38 and down-regulation of Akt and XPA. A dose of 10 mug/mL of LZP-F3 induced significant G1 arrest in N/P(14) and N/As(0.5) cells by flow cytometry, which may be mediated by the induction of p21(WAF1/CIP1). The combination of LZP-F3 and arsenic trioxide produced a significant synergistic growth inhibition of NTUB1 and N/As(0.5) cells. Similar results were also found in N/P(14) cells. These molecular events of combined effects involved significant and earlier induction of Fas, caspase 3 and 8 activation, Bax and Bad up-regulation, Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) down-regulatuion, and cytochrome c release.

We previously demonstrated that combined treatment with extracts of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum and the herb Duchesnea chrysantha (GDE) significantly suppresses cell growth and selectively induces apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells, but not in normal cells. GDE?s mechanism of action and its activity against HL-60 cells suggest that it could be suitable for the combined-modality treatment of hematological malignancies. In the present study, we examined whether treatment with a combination of GDE and ionizing radiation enhances the therapeutic effect. We demonstrated that, when used in combination with radiation at a clinically relevant dose of 2 Gy, GDE further suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis as well as micronuclei formation in HL-60 cells, leading to increased cell death. Furthermore, GDE pretreatment not only reduced radiation-induced G2/M-phase arrest, but also induced G1-phase arrest. These events are associated with the inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) phosphorylation and the dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRB). Collectively, these data show that combined treatment with GDE and radiation enhances radiation-induced apoptosis and overall cell death. These findings may be clinically relevant and suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for increasing the efficacy of radiotherapy.

Ganoderma lucidum has been used for the treatment of a variety of diseases. For the first time here we report a detailed study on the mechanisms and effects of G. lucidum aqueous extract (GLE) on sleep and its sedative activity. GLE showed no effects on sleep architecture in normal rats at doses of 80 and 120 mg/kg. However, GLE significantly decreased sleep latency, increased sleeping time, non-REM sleep time and light sleep time in pentobarbital-treated rats. Suppression of locomotor activity in normal mice induced by GLE was also observed. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, at a dose of 3.5 mg/kg showed a significant antagonistic effect on the shortening in sleep latency, increase in sleeping time, non-REM sleep time or light sleep time in pentobarbital-treated rat induced by GLE. Significant effect was also observed with GLE on delta activity during non-REM sleep and flumazenil did not block this effect. In conclusion, GLE may be a herb having benzodiazepine-like hypnotic activity at least in part.

This article reviews mushrooms with anti-breast cancer activity. The mushrooms covered which are better known include the following: button mushroom Agaricus bisporus, Brazilian mushroom Agaricus blazei, Amauroderma rugosum, stout camphor fungus Antrodia camphorata, Jew's ear (black) fungus or black wood ear fungus Auricularia auricula-judae, reishi mushroom or Lingzhi Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma sinense, maitake mushroom or sheep's head mushroom Grifola frondosa, lion's mane mushroom or monkey head mushroom Hericium erinaceum, brown beech mushroom Hypsizigus marmoreus, sulfur polypore mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus, Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom), Phellinus linteus (Japanese "meshimakobu," Chinese "song gen," Korean "sanghwang," American "black hoof mushroom"), abalone mushroom Pleurotus abalonus, king oyster mushroom Pleurotus eryngii, oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, tuckahoe or Fu Ling Poria cocos, and split gill mushroom Schizophyllum commune. Antineoplastic effectiveness in human clinical trials and mechanism of anticancer action have been reported for Antrodia camphorata, Cordyceps sinensis, Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and Lentinula edodes.

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum, Lingzhi) is a well-known Chinese traditional medicine to improve health and to treat numerous diseases for over 2000 years in Asian countries. G. lucidum has the abundant chemical components such as triterpenes and polysaccharides, which have various biological activities including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-liver disorders, anti-tumor growth and metastasis, etc. Recently, many lines of studies have elucidated the therapeutic effects of G. lucidum and its extractions on various acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) pathogenesis, including autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, renal proximal tubular cell oxidative damage and fibrotic process, renal ischemia reperfusion injury, cisplatin-induced renal injury, adriamycin-induced nephropathy, chronic proteinuric renal diseases, etc. Clinical researches also showed potent anti-renal disease bioactivities of G. lucidum. In this chapter, we review experimental and clinical researches and provide comprehensive insights into the renoprotective effects of G. lucidum. In recent years, renal diseases have gradually aroused attention on account of their booming prevalence worldwide and lack of effective therapies. Although the complicated pathogenesis of kidney diseases, such as acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney diseases (CKD) have been intensively studied. The morbidity and mortality of AKI and CKD still rise continuously. Thanks to the conventional experience and the multi-target characteristics, natural products have been increasingly recognized as an alternative source for treating renal diseases. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: Ganoderma lucidum is a natural medicine that is widely used and recommended by Asian physicians and naturopaths for its supporting effects on immune system. Laboratory research and a handful of preclinical trials have suggested that G. lucidum carries promising anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. The popularity of taking G. lucidum as an alternative medicine has been increasing in cancer patients. However, there is no systematic review that has been conducted to evaluate the actual benefits of G. lucidum in cancer treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical effects of G. lucidum on long-term survival, tumour response, host immune functions and quality of life in cancer patients, as well as adverse events associated with its use. SEARCH METHODS: We searched an extensive set of databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, NIH, AMED, CBM, CNKI, CMCC and VIP Information/Chinese Scientific Journals Database was searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in October 2011. Other strategies used were scanning the references of articles retrieved, handsearching of the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms and contact with herbal medicine experts and manufacturers of G. lucidum. For this update we updated the searches in February 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA: To be eligible for being included in this review, studies had to be RCTs comparing the efficacy of G. lucidum medications to active or placebo control in patients with cancer that had been diagnosed by pathology. All types and stages of cancer were eligible for inclusion. Trials were not restricted on the basis of language. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Two independent review authors assessed the methodological quality of individual trials. Common primary outcomes were tumour response evaluated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, immune function parameters such as natural killer (NK)-cell activity and T-lymphocyte co-receptor subsets, and quality of life measured by the Karnofsky scale score. No trial had recorded long-term survival rates.

BACKGROUND: Ganoderma lucidum is a natural medicine that is widely used and recommended by Asian physicians and naturopaths for its supporting effects on immune system. Laboratory research and a handful of preclinical trials have suggested that G. lucidum carries promising anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. The popularity of taking G. lucidum as an alternative medicine has been increasing in cancer patients. However, there is no systematic review that has been conducted to evaluate the actual benefits of G. lucidum in cancer treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical effects of G. lucidum on long-term survival, tumour response, host immune functions and quality of life in cancer patients, as well as adverse events associated with its use. SEARCH METHODS: The authors ran an extensive set of databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, NIH, AMED, CBM, CNKI, CMCC and VIP Information/Chinese Scientific Journals Database was searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in October 2011. Other strategies used were scanning the references of articles retrieved, handsearching of the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms and contact with herbal medicine experts and manufacturers of G. lucidum. SELECTION CRITERIA: To be eligible for being included in this review, studies had to be RCTs comparing the efficacy of G. lucidum medications to active or placebo control in patients with cancer that had been diagnosed by pathology. All types and stages of cancer were eligible for inclusion. Trials were not restricted on the basis of language. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Two independent review authors were assigned to assess the methodological quality of individual trials. Common primary outcomes were tumour response evaluated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, immune function parameters such as natural killer (NK)-cell activity and T-lymphocyte co-receptor subsets, and quality of life measured by the Karnofsky scale score. No trial had recorded long-term survival rates. Associated adverse events were reported

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an extract of Ganoderma lucidum that shows the strongest 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity among the extracts of 19 edible and medicinal mushrooms by a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized and dose-ranging study in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: In this trial, we randomly assigned 88 men over the age of 49 years who had slight-to-moderate LUTS to 12 weeks of treatment with G. lucidum extract (6 mg once a day) or placebo. The primary outcome measures were changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and variables of uroflowmetry. Secondary outcome measures included changes in prostate size, residual urinary volume after voiding, laboratory values and the reported adverse effects. RESULTS: G. lucidum was effective and significantly superior to placebo for improving total IPSS with 2.1 points decreasing at the end of treatment (mean difference, -1.18 points; 95% confidence interval, -1.74 to -0.62; P < 0.0001). No changes were observed with respect to quality of life scores, peak urinary flow, mean urinary flow, residual urine, prostate volume, serum prostate-specific antigen or testosterone levels. Overall treatment was well tolerated with no severe adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The extract of G. lucidum was well tolerated and improved IPSS scores. These results encouraged a further, large-scale evaluation of phytotherapy for a long duration using the extract of G. lucidum on men with LUTS. (c) 2008, Asian Journal of Andrology, SIMM and SJTU. All rights reserved.

AIM: To conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized and dose-ranging study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the extract of Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: We enrolled male volunteers (> or = 50 years) with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS; questions 1-7) > or = 5 and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value < 4 ng/mL. Volunteers were randomized into groups of placebo (n = 12), G. lucidum of 0.6 mg (n = 12), 6 mg (n = 12) or 60 mg (n = 14), administered once daily. Efficacy was measured as a change from baseline in IPSS and the peak urine flow rate (Q(max)). Prostate volume and residual urine were estimated by ultrasonography, and blood tests, including PSA levels, were measured at baseline and at the end of the treatment. RESULTS: The overall administration was well tolerated, with no major adverse effects. Statistical significances in the magnitude of changes between the experimental groups were observed at weeks 4 and 8. No changes were observed with respect to Q(max), residual urine, prostate volume or PSA levels. CONCLUSION: The extract of G. lucidum was well tolerated and an improvement in IPSS was observed. The recommended dose of the extract of G. lucidum is 6 mg in men with LUTS.

Many herbal medicines are widely used as immuno-modulators in Asian countries. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) is one of the most commonly used herbs in Asia and preclinical studies have established that the polysaccharide fractions of G. lucidum have potent immuno-modulating effects. However, clinical evidence for this is scanty. The present open-labeled study aimed to evaluate the effects of G. lucidum polysaccharides on selected immune functions in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Forty-seven patients were enrolled and treated with oral G. lucidum at 5.4 g/day for 12 weeks. Selected immune parameters were monitored using various immunological methods throughout the study. In 41 assessable cancer patients, treatment with G. lucidum tended to increase mitogenic reactivity to phytohemagglutinin, counts of CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD56 lymphocytes, plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, and NK activity, whereas plasma concentrations of IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were decreased. For all of these parameters, no statistical significance was observed when a comparison was conducted between baseline and those values after a 12-week treatment with G. lucidum. The changes of IL-1 were correlated with those for IL-6, IFN-gamma, CD3, CD4, CD8 and NK activity (p<0.05) and IL-2 changes were correlated with those for IL-6, CD8 and NK activity. The results indicate that G. lucidum may have potential immuno-modulating effect in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed to explore the benefits and safety of G. lucidum in cancer patients.

Ganoderma lucidum has been widely used to treat various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and neurasthenia in many Asian countries. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a polysaccharide extract of G. lucidum (Ganopoly) in Chinese patients with neurasthenia. One hundred thirty-two patients with neurasthenia according to the diagnosis criteria of the 10th International Classification of Diseases were included in this study. Written consents were obtained from the patients, and the study was conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Patients were randomized to receive Ganopoly or placebo orally at 1,800 mg three times a day for 8 weeks. Efficacy assessments comprised the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) improvement of severity scale and the Visual Analogues Scales for the sense of fatigue and well-being. In 123 assessable patients in two treatment groups at the end of the study, Ganopoly treatment for 8 weeks resulted in significantly lower scores after 8 weeks in the CGI severity score and sense of fatigue, with a respective reduction of 15.5% and 28.3% from baseline, whereas the reductions in the placebo group were 4.9% and 20.1%, respectively. The score at day 56 in the sense of well-being increased from baseline to 38.7% in the Ganopoly group compared with 29.7% in the placebo group. The distribution of the five possible outcomes from very much improved to minimally worse was significantly different (X (2) = 10.55; df = 4; P = .0322) after treatment with Ganopoly or placebo. There was a percentage of 51.6% (32 of 62) in the Ganopoly group rated as more than minimally improved compared with 24.6% (15 of 61) in the placebo group (X (2) = 9.51; df = 1; P = .002). Ganopoly was well tolerated in the study patients. These findings indicated that Ganopoly was significantly superior to placebo with respect to the clinical improvement of symptoms in neurasthenia.

Even with substantial advances in cardiovascular therapy, the morbidity and mortality rates of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) continually increase. Hence, a feasible therapeutic approach is urgently needed. Objectives. This work is aimed at systemically reviewing literature and addressing cell targets in DCM through the possible cardioprotection of G. lucidum through its antioxidant effects by using the Open Targets Platform (OTP) website. Methods. The OTP website version of 19.11 was accessed in December 2019 to identify the studies in DCM involving G. lucidum. Results. Among the 157 cell targets associated with DCM, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was shared by all evidence, drug, and text mining data with 0.08 score association. mTOR also had the highest score association 0.1 with autophagy in DCM. Among the 1731 studies of indexed PubMed articles on G. lucidum published between 1985 and 2019, 33 addressed the antioxidant effects of G. lucidum and its molecular signal pathways involving oxidative stress and therefore were included in the current work. Conclusion. mTOR is one of the targets by DCM and can be inhibited by the antioxidative properties of G. lucidum directly via scavenging radicals and indirectly via modulating mTOR signal pathways such as Wnt signaling pathway, Erk1/2 signaling, and NF-κB pathways.

For millennia, naturopaths and physicians have used Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom) for its diverse therapeutic properties, as recorded in the oldest Chinese herbal encyclopedia. Indeed, a radioprotective effect has been reported in the isolated components of its extracts. A systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) was conducted in March 2020, searching databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar, along with Clinical Trials. The inclusion criteria were ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo studies, with full texts in English, conducted to determine the radioprotective benefits of G. lucidum, or reports in which ionizing radiation was used. From a total number of 1109 records identified, 15 full text articles were eligible, none of them were clinical trials. In vivo studies reveal the efficiency of G. lucidum aqueous extracts of polysaccharides and triterpenes in mice exposed to γ-rays. In plasmid, they can reduce radiation damage as an increment of the open circular form, as well as increase the DNA extension, as shown in vitro studies. Ex vivo studies conducted in human blood cells show the radioprotective effect of β-glucan of aqueous extract of G. lucidum, nevertheless, its implementation as radioprotector to humans is in need of further clinical research studies.

Around the world, cancer patients often combine conventional anticancer treatment with complementary alternative medicines derived from natural sources such as fungi and mushrooms, including the popular lingzhi or reishi medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum. Many studies to date have described the anticancer properties of G. lucidum, which are attributed to its major pharmacologically bioactive compounds, such as terpenoids and polysaccharides. Moreover, several scientific observations have suggested a potential beneficial therapeutic strategy using G. lucidum in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to improve therapeutic outcome. However, to my knowledge, no systematic review has been conducted in this area. Therefore, this review summarizes the current knowledge on G. lucidum or its individual components in relation to chemotherapeutic efficacy, ability to reverse multidrug resistance, and chemotherapeutic toxicity.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer amongst women. Women with breast cancer frequently consult dietitians for advice, and increasingly advice on complementary alternative medicines (CAM). The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate evidence of CAM administered orally on cancer-related outcomes. Databases were searched for studies recruiting women with a history of breast cancer reporting on the use of CAM administered orally as tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids for any 1 or more of the following: alleviation of cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects, improvement to quality of life, physical and emotional wellbeing, survival, and mortality. Twenty-two studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Ten CAM categories were established with no more than 4 articles published in each category. Although the evidence is of varying quality there is some data to support that guarana and Ganoderma lucidum may improve fatigue, whereas glutamine may also be effective in improving oral mucositis symptoms. Overall, the current available evidence is inconclusive to make definitive recommendations regarding the effectiveness for individuals' use of CAM in women with breast cancer. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials exploring safety, toxicity, and other potential adverse effects of CAM are required.

BACKGROUND: Ganoderma lucidum (also known as lingzhi or reishi) is a mushroom that has been consumed for its broad medicinal properties in Asia for over 2000 years. G lucidum is becoming increasingly popular in western countries as a complementary medicine for cardiovascular health. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of G lucidum for the treatment of pharmacologically modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular disease in adults. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL Issue 6 of 12, 2014) on The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (OVID, 1946 to June week 3 2014), EMBASE (OVID, 1980 to 2014 week 26), Science Direct (1823 to 2013), Current Controlled Trials (1990 to 2013), Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (2005 to 2013), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (2007 to 2013), Chinese Medical Current Contents (2007 to 2013) and other databases. We checked reference lists of included studies, contacted content experts and handsearched The International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. We applied no language or publication restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials and controlled clinical trials of G lucidum for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Primary outcomes were blood glucose level, blood pressure and lipid profile. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently selected trials, assessed risk of bias and cross checked data extraction and analysis. A third author arbitrated in the event of disagreement. MAIN RESULTS: Five trials with a total of 398 participants were eligible for inclusion. Of these, one study was published in Chinese and translated to English; one study was published but study authors provided the additional data used in this review; one study was unpublished and the study authors provided data; and two studies did not provide comparison group data suitable for statistical analyses. The three studies from which data were used for statistical analyses compared G lucidum (1.4 g to 3 g per day) to placebo over 12 to 16 weeks of intervention. Although inclusion criteria varied, all participants of these three studies had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Of the