The table from HOBBS (1995), which I placed on the home page, lists a multitude of in vitro and in vivo effects, executed by Ganoderma lucidum.
Here on the info page I will try to discuss scientific evidence as much as possible for each indication, listed on the HOBBS's table. The discussion will be in a commonly understandable language, in order to make non-scientists comprehend the important findings of Gano research activities.
For more and better access to the upcoming information I recommend the following medical online dictionaries (sometimes it is hard to avoid specific terms) for additional explanation of medical and scientific keywords:
Analgesic effects
So far I only know 1 study which deals with the question of pain relieving properties of Ganoderma. Koyama et.al. published their findings in the Planta Med. 1997, in which they noted that ganoderic acids A, B, G and H have analgesic properties. It still has to be seen, how efficient these effects are under clinical conditions.
Anti-allergic activity and bronchitis-preventative effects Tasaka et.al. published in 1988 that oleic acids and cyclooctasulfur can be found in Ganoderma and have to be considered as histamine blocking agents through membrane stabilizing effects of
mast cells.
Anti-bacterial effects
Ganoderma has shown so far a somewhat complex pattern in anti-bacterial effects. It doesn’t seem to have an effect on a couple of micro-organisms whilst moderate to very good effects on others.was not able to find a valuable classification of an anti-bacterial pattern, since research in this area seems to be too scarce. Ganoderma in combination with modern antibiotics like ampicillin, cefazolin, oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol seemed to result in synergistic or additive effects in most cases, a few only showed antagonistic effects. These findings are also to be seen in relation to the micro-organism used for the tests. Also here a classification is still missing, but in general terms we can say, that there is a high probability that Ganoderma and antibiotics together execute an additive effect on the repulsion of a bacterial infection. Later we will see that Ganoderma executes another bactericidal effect indirectly through enhancing the immune system.
Anti-oxidant, removing free radicals
Oxidative stress has been linked with the pathogenesis of many human diseases including cancer, aging, and atherosclerosis. In this context it would be of interest if Ganoderma has a protective potential. Wong et.al. published in 2004 the observation that Ganoderma protects the heart from superoxide induced damage, through superoxide scavenging activities in mice. In the same year Sun et.al. reported that a Ganoderma lucidum peptide (GLP) is the major antioxidant component of Ganoderma lucidum and could play so an important role in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in biological systems through its antioxidant, metal chelating, and free radical scavenging ac tivities.Wachtel-Galor et.al. conducted in 2004 a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over intervention study which investigated the effects of 4 weeks Lingzhi supplementation on a range of biomarkers for antioxidant status, Coronary Heart Disease risk, DNA damage, immune status, and inflammation, as well as markers of liver and renal toxicity with 18 healthy adults. No side effects
have been reported, while the antioxidant capacity in urine and plasma increased significantly. There are also reports that the anti-oxidant properties contribute to a better treatment of nephrosis by Futrakul et.al. in 2003. Ganoderma seems to protect the cell membrane against lipid oxidation and ultimately against cell death. Shieh et.al. observed 2001 a liver and kidney protective mechanism due to “its (Ganoderma’s) prominent superoxide scavenging effect”. Lee et.al. assumed in 2001 a chemopreventive potential of Ganoderma, through a specific amino-polysaccharide fraction with a strong anti-oxidative performance found in this mushroom. But
terpenes like ganoderic acids A, B, C and D, lucidenic acid B and ganodermanontriol also showed a significant amount of oxidative protection. At this point of time there do exist quite some studies, pre-clinical and a few clinical, which give a strong indication about Ganoderma’s potency to protect organs and tissue through the protection of DNA and cell membrane from harmful oxidants.
Anti-aging properties
There are some hints, that Ganoderma might possess anti-aging capabilities as well, since some of the reasons for aging, especially premature aging, are free radicals activities (see also the chapter on this page “Anti-oxidant, removing free radicals”) and a reduced capability for DNA and cell repair.
In 1993 Lei and Lin administered Ganoderma polysaccharides to splenocytes of aged (24 months old) mice. They showed a significant lower DNA polymerase activity (about 36%) as compared to 3 month old mice. Since this polymerase is responsible for the replication or repair of DNA and ultimately for cell repair and reproduction, the entire repair mechanism is slowed down by the decrease of this enzyme. Furthermore it was observed that the interferon production and the ability for immunologic countermeasures against foreign antigens were significantly reduced. The application of Ganoderma polysaccharides restored those parameters to the levels of that of young
mice in vitro. Since biochemical processes in humans and mice are not identical, but similar, there might be a certain possibility that Ganoderma works in the same way in humans.
Anti-tumour activity
“Mushrooms may work wonders in cancer treatment prevention” was the title of a press release of Cancer Research UK http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/pressreleases/2002/august/40288 in 2002 shortly after an international symposium on "Medicinal mushrooms: their therapeutic properties and current medical usage with special emphasis on cancer treatments." in Kiew. The monograph is downloadable at
http://healthyherbs.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=healthyherbs&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icnet.uk%2Flabs%2Fmed_mush%2Fmed_mush.html .
Scientific efforts seem to focus on this special indication, since in first place polysaccharides, but also triterpenes, have been isolated and which have shown considerable cytotoxic effects. In addition immuno-modulating effects of Ganoderma form an additional pathway of fighting the development and progression of cancer through the strengthening of the body’s immune system. In most publications the researchers find polysaccharides responsible for a direct cancer cell damaging effect and probably for the inhibition of metastasis, the outspread of cancer into
different organs as well. But also immune enhancing effects seem to be very important, since cancer can suppress immunologic activity which results in better growth and development for the cancer. Therefore the immuno-modulated anti-tumor effect of Ganoderma lucidum is considered to be mediated by cytokines released from activated macrophages and T lymphocytes.
But still more clinical evidence is needed to confirm Ganoderma as a standard in the treatment of acute cancer. There are some recommendations to use Ganoderma in tandem with the conventional radiation and/or chemotherapy, since it has hardly any side effects and also seems to lower the side effects of the conventional, normally aggressive anti-cancer therapy. The results are that survival and recovery rates are significantly higher and quality of life of the patients improves.
Medicinal mushrooms in general seem to have a favourable effect when it comes to the prevention of cancer. A survey conducted over 14 years among Japanese mushroom workers in the Nagano Prefecture implied that a regular diet of edible medicinal mushrooms was associated with a lower death rate from cancer than of other people in the Prefecture. The average cancer death rate in the Prefect ure was one in 600. But the rate dropped to one in 1000 among farmers who produced edible mushrooms.
Anti-viral activitiy
Since viruses use the DNA replication mechanism of human cells to reproduce themselves, the challenge of a treatment is, to block virus DNA replication without damaging the affected host cells by cutting off their own replication or protein biosynthesis mechanisms. Anti-herpes and influenza agents isolated were protein bound polysaccharides, whic h showed a promising antiviral effect, which could be improved by the combination with interferon. Other authors isolated several triterpenoids and triterpenes with anti-HIV characteristics. Iwatsuki et.al. reported in 2003 findings of a triterpene acid which significantly inhibited Epstein-Barr viruses.Hijikata et.al. showed the effect of Ganoderma on 5 patients with herpes zoster. All patients
experienced relief of pain within a few days and was complete after 10 days. They responded quickly to the treatment and none of them developed post-herpetic neuralgia during the 1 year follow-up period.Liu et.al. 2005 observed that protein based polysaccharides gained from Ganoderma blocked herpes virus activities far more efficient, when they had been applied before or during the virus infection. An application after the infection showed some effects, but less efficient: „The antiviral effects in pre-treated and treated during virus infection with GLPG were more remarkable than the treatment of post-infection. Although the precise mechanism has yet to be defined, our work suggested that GLPG inhibits viral replication by interfering with the early events of viral adsorption and entry into target cells. Thus, this proteoglycan appears to be a candidate anti-HSV agent.” This leaves the impression that Ganoderma might have specific potent protective capabilities against a herpes infection compared to its curative capabilities. Yet it has to be shown in clinical trials, if and in how far Ganoderma can contribute efficiently to a remedy of HIV and other virus related diseases.
Anti-hypertensive properties
Yihuai Gao et.al. reported in 2004 in a clinical study, double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, with 170 patients suffering from Coronary Heart Disease, that beside other positive effects, the anti-hypertensive properties induced a drop of blood pressure for t hose who received Ganoderma, from 142.5/96.4 mmHg to 135.1/92.8 mmHg after 12 weeks of treatment. Since the anti-hypertensive effect of even modern drugs in not fully understood, we can assume a multi-factorial effect of Ganoderma on the circulatory system.
Lee et.al. found in 1990 in an experiment with rats and rabbits, where they measured BP in the animals’ femoral artery and activities of the renal nerve, that the application of Ganoderma extract induced a drop of BP and an inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity. The expression of these effects was dose dependant. So they concluded that the mechanism of hypotensive action of Ganoderma lucidum was due to its central inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity.Mizuno et.al. stated in earlier studies from the 80s that Ganoderma has been assumed to have both hypotensive and hypertensive components (the so-called homeostasis).A peptidoglycan (molecular
weight, 100,000) having a mild hypotensive effect on rats (congenitally hypertensive) has been isolated from a hot water extract of Ganoderma. According to a report, the blood pressure of about half the patients with essential hypertension was reduced when a Ganoderma extract was administered to them. It was found recently that a hypertension-related angiotensin-I-converting enzyme was inhibited by Ganoderic acids (B, D, F, H, R, S and Y); Ganoderal A and Ganoderol A and B, which is a similar effect of modern ACE blockers.
Enhancement of bone marrow nucleated cell proliferation
Immunmodulation
In 1999 Zhong et.al. reported an interesting observation about Ganoderma boosting the immune system by increasing the bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage output by induction of the growth of its forming colony unit. At the same time Ganoderma suppressed the growth of leukemic cell colonies. With increasing dose leukemic cells could be transformed into more mature erythrocytic cells. Their conclusion was, that Ganoderma could serve as a good medicine for leukemia therapy. Specific notes, which subst ance or substance class in Ganoderma was responsible for these beneficial ffects, were not stated.Kuo et.al. 2005 examined the immune boosting effect of Ganoderma by searching for an increase of interferon and nuclear activator factor (NF-kappaB) in the presence of Ganoderma, which was observed after 8 hours of treatment and over the following period of 3 days. They concluded:"These results provide supporting evidences for the immunomodulatory effect of Ganoderma lucidum."
Platelet aggregation
In 1990 Tao et.al. found that in vitro the reaction speed of platelet aggregation was significantly slowed down after application of Ganoderma extract in relation to its dosage. They continued their studies with 15 healthy volunteers and 33 patients with atherosclerotic diseases administering each person 3 grams a day for 2 weeks. This showed that Ganoderma reduced weight and length of the thrombi and reduced the aggregation events statistically significantly. They concluded, that “The results of our experiments suggested that the Chinese herbal medicine GL may be an effective
inhibitory agent of platelet aggregation”.In the same year Gau et.al. investigated on possible problems arising from the aggregation blocking properties in HIV-positive hemophiliacs. They found that Ganoderma, despite a high content of adenosine, which plays an important key role in antiplatelet effects, did not execute any increased
risk. Platelet aggregation tests before and after administering of the extract showed no significant changes.
In 2000 Su et.al. were able to show, that beside high adenosine levels Ganodermic acid S also contributes to the antiplatelet effects, by influencing the biochemical pathway s of platelet reaction.A normalization of platelet aggregation and thrombotic activities towards a physiological level contributes to a lower blood viscosity, which relieves the cardiovascular system of additional work load and improves therefore indirectly efficiency and O2 balance also of the coronary system.
Effects on serum cholesterol levels
In 1989 Li Khva Ren et.al. found in in vitro studies that “It has been shown that Ganoderma lucidum and Lentinus edodes possess pronounced antiatherosclerotic properties.”In the same year Komoda et.al. reported in a rat based animal study potent cholesterol biosynthesis blocking properties of Ganoderma.
In 2003 Berger et.al. from the Nestle Research Center, Lausanne , Switzerland, found that Ganoderma has the ability to lower not only total serum cholesterol, but also LDL, which is beside VLDL the critical factor of cholesterol content. They conclude: “Innovative new cholesterol-lowering foods and medicines containing Ganoderma lucidum are envisioned.”A more recent publication from Hajjaj et.al. also from the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland, showed that triterpenoids are responsible for inhibiting lanosterol to be transformed into cholesterol. These findings are important in so far, since 60 – 70% of body cholesterol is synthesized
and only 30 – 40% is added through intake of food. Controlled cholesterol intake and cholesterol synthesis inhibition seem to be the most promising and complementary measures for a regulated and normal serum level.
Anti-diabetic effects
In 1990 Kino et.al. showed in insulin dependant diabetic mice, that in comparison to an untreated control group, Ganoderma treated mice had no incidents of insulitis, an inflammation of the insulin producing units, and practical normal amounts of insulin producing cells. No cumulative incidence of diabetes mellitus was observed in the Ganoderma treated group, while cumulative incidences of 70% and 60% were observed in the untreated group followed up to 42 weeks of age. Ling Zhi-8 (LZ-8), an immunomodulatory protein having in vivo immuno-suppressive activity, was recognized to be the active substance for these effects.Alloxan is a chemical which induces diabetes by destroying insulin producing cells via superperoxide built-up. Zhang et.al. in 2003 treated mice and found a subsequent decrease of insulin producing
cells, while Ganoderma treated mice showed no decrease. Since free radicals are considered to play the damaging role, the Ganoderma effect is that of scavenging these free radicals and eliminating them before they are able to destroy the insulin producing units (Langerhans’ islets). In 2004 the same group found that Ganoderma polysaccharides increased the Ca2+ influx into the pancreatic beta cells and induced hence a higher insulin release of these beta cells, which explains
the blood sugar l owering effects of Ganoderma.
Neuroprotection / Neurasthenia
Zhu et.al. reported in 2005, that administering Ganoderma oil extract from spores showed neuroprotective characteristics in mice, which had been injected with MPTP, a substance which artificially induces Parkinson’s Disease (PD): “The mice in the Ganoderma spores oil + MPTP group presented significantly less involuntary movement of the limbs in the pole test than the mice in MPTP group“. Also the number of surviving neurons was greater in the Ganoderma group than in the
control group. Ganoderma could thereby also have a positive effect on PD in prevention or therapy, which yet has to be confirmed in controlled studies.
Tang et.al. 2005 reported about a controlled study with 132 neurasthenia patients over a period of 8 weeks. The group with Ganoderma showed a significantly improved Global Clinical Impression, compared with the placebo group. The application of Ganoderma seemed to be responsible for decreasing signs of insomnia, headaches, irritability etc.
Prostate enlargement / cancer
Fujita et.al. 2005 found a strong intervention of Ganoderma extracts on the metabolism of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone through 5alpha-reductase inhibition. The biological activityof dihydrotestosterone is 2 times higher than that of testosterone and its receptor-bindingcapability is 5 times the capacity of testosterone. The authors concluded “that Ganoderma lucidum might be a useful ingredient for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)”.Sliva D. et.al. 2003 described in a series of publications the possible use of Ganoderma in lung and
prostate cancer, where it has clearly shown to inhibit the outspread and migration of tumor cells,which limits or even prevents metastasis of malignant cancer cells.
Jiang et.al. 2004 found out, that Ganoderma prevents the growth of prostate cancer cells and induces cell death of malignant cells through a complex system of biochemical and molecular interactions. They concluded that Ganoderma seems to have “potential therapeutic use for the prevention and treatment of cancer.”Liu et.al. 2006 isolated two triterpenoids, ganoderic acids, which showed remarkable 5alphareductase inhibitory activities.
Source: From Infterner
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