1) Reishi and Immunity
A protein named Ling Zhi-8 (LZ-8) was isolated from Ganoderma
lucidum extract and shown to have strong immunomodulatory activity. It
was stimulatatory to to production of both human monocytes and human
T-cells (types of white blood cells).
The effect is better termed immunomodulatory rather than
immunostimulatory because it also prevents excess immune activity as
shown by increasing the survival time in allogeneic skin graphs and
organ transplants into mice.
Van der Hem, Van der Vliet, Kino, Hoitsma and Tax.
Ling Zhi-8: A fungal protein with immunomodulatory effects
Transplant. Proc. 1996, 28 (2); 958-959
2) Reishi and Cancer
Ikekawa et al. (1968) first reported on the efficacy of soluble
extracts from Ganoderma in inhibiting transplanted sarcoma 180 in mice.
This host-dependent antitumor activity has been subsequently confirmed
to be from the polysaccharide fractions of Ganoderma (Sasaki et al.,
1971). Multiple similar studies subsequently confirms this observation
and antitumor efficacy of Ganoderma has been demonstrated from various
species, at different stages of growth and using different solvents for
extraction and different routes of administration. Antitumor activity
has been demonstrated in vitro as well as in syngeneic tumor systems in
animals.
From a theoretical point of view, it is important to note
as those found in Ganoderma have undergone rigorous clinical trials,
including Lentinan, Sizofilan, PSK (Krestin), and PSP. Since it is now
increasingly clear that immunostimulatory bioactivity from most
beta-glucan based compounds function via a similar beta-glucan receptor
(Czop 1985), it has been possible to hypothesize that Ganoderma
polysaccharides should function similarly (Chang, 1996). Clinical
effects of various glucan based BRM's should therefore be comparable.
Results from Lentinan, Sizofilan, PSK and PSP human trials demonstrated
the efficacy of these glucan BRM's in prolonging survival in recurrent
or advanced gastric and colon cancer, lung cancer and gynecologic
cancers. Data from such bioactively comparable compounds all suggest
improved quality of life or survival for cancer patients may be possible
with Ganoderma supplementation.
Whilst some efficacy of Ganoderma in cancer is undoubted, it
remains important to specify the various indications and cite the
evidence to support its use. This can be discussed under four different
circumstances. In clinical studies Chang (1994) at Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center reported that applications of Ganoderma should be studied
and considered for (1) chemoprophylaxis of cancer in individuals at high
metastasis or recurrence of cancer (3) palliation of cancer related
cachexia and pain and (4) adjunctive use with concurrent chemotherapy to
reduce side-effects, maintain leukocyte counts and allow a more optimal
dosing of chemo or radiotherapeuties. Another way of looking at
Ganoderma's use in cancer has four parts:
A. As a supplement during chemotherapy or radiotherapy to reduce
side-effects such as fatigue, loss of appetite, hair loss, bone marrow
suppression and risk of infection. There are studies demonstrating
Ganoderma's efficacy against fatigue (Yang 1994), hair loss (Miyamoto et
al. 1985), and bone marrow suppression (Jia et al. 1993) and the
presence of similar clinical evidence for other glucan BRM's applied in
the setting of cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy (Shi 1993) lends
further support to the supplementation of Ganoderma in combination with
cytotoxic cancer therapies. The recommended dose should be in the range
of five to ten grams of fruiting body or equivalent per day (Chang
1994).
B. As a supplement for cancer patients to enhance survival and reduce
likelihood of metastasis. While only anecdotal data exists that
Ganoderma supplementation may enhance survival of cancer patients, this
survival advantage has been demonstrated for a number of comparable
glucan BRM'S. Specifically, Lentinan use in advantage at 1, 2, 3 and 4
years in a randomized control trial (Taguchi 1987). Sizofilan given
together with chemotherapy enhanced survival of cervical cancers
irrespective of stage in a prospective randomized controlled trial
(Inoue et al. 1993), significantly enhanced survival (P < .01) in lung
cancer patients (Honma 1982) and improved five year survival of head and
neck cancer from 73.4 to 86.7% was noted in another small study (Kimura
et al. 1994). More appropriate for comparison to Ganoderma is perhaps
and PSK or PSP, which are orally administered. Mitomi et al. (1994)
found significantly improved survival and disease-free survival
(P=0.013) in resected colorectal cancer given PSK supplementation over
three years when compared to control in a multi-center randomized
controlled trial. In an animal model, Ganoderma has been demonstrated to
effectively prevent metastasis (Lee 1984), and these results are
comparable to those of Lentinan (Suga 1994). Other glucan BRM's have
been demonstrated to effectively prevent or suppress pulmonary
metastasis of methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas, human prostate cancer
DU145M, and lymphatic metastasis of mouse leukemia P388 (Kobayashi et
al. 1995). The recommended dose should be five to ten grams or more of
fruiting body or equivalent per day, with a linear enhancement in
efficacy expected up to 30 grams per day (Chang 1994).
C. As a supplement for cancer patients to improve quality of life.
Again, only anecdotal information exists for Ganoderma in this situation
but other oral glucan derivatives such as PSP has been found to be
useful in improving quality of life in cancer patients (Yao 1993).
Significantly, Ganoderma supplementation was noted to decrease pain in
cancer patients (Kupin 1994). The recommended dose would be five to ten
grams of fruiting body or equivalent per day (Chang 1994).
D. As a supplement for the prevention of occurrence or recurrence of
cancer. Since immune stimulation, especially Natural Killer (NK) and
Cytotoxic Lymphocyte (CTL) activation may be effective in the immune
prevention of cancer by enhanced immune surveillance (Lotzova 1985), and
Ganoderma has been demonstrated to enhance NK and CTL activity when
administered orally (Won et al. 1989), it is thus a candidate for
demonstrated the efficacy of Ganoderma in the preventing the progression
of microadenomatous growths in animals (Stavinoha 1993), and the
efficacy of other glucan BRM's in primary and secondary cancer
prevention have been similarly demonstrated in vitro, in vivo and in
clinical trials.
In a very interesting report Chang (1993) addressed the question of
proper dose of Ganoderma for therapy. Since studies of human dosage were
traditional and empiric a dose range was calculated using this data and
pharmacokinetic principals. The calculations suggested that a (1)
Ganoderma dried fruit body dose of 0.5 to 1 g per day for health
maintenance (2) 2 to 5 g per day if there is chronic fatigue, stress,
autoimmune, or other chronic health problems (3) 5 to 10 g per day for
serious illness.
Raymond Y. Chang
Role of Ganoderma Supplementation in Cancer Management
Meridian Medical Group at the Institute of East-West Medicine
and Department of Medicine, Cornell Medical College
3)Reishi and Liver Disease
A polysaccharide extract of Ganoderma lucidum was shown to be
liver-protective against carbon tetrachloride poisoning in rat
hepatocytes (liver tissue). In another study, when liver cirrhosis was
induced in rats Ganoderma lucidum extract reduced the inflammation,
necrosis and fibrosis significantly.
Lee, Kim, Lee, Jung, Lee and Kim.
Hepatoprotective effect of GOO9 on CC4-induced hepatotoxicity in
primary cultured rat hepatocyes.
Yakhak Hoechi 1998, 42(1); 108-113
Park, Ko, Kim and Sohn.
Dose-deependent antifibrotic effect of polysaccharide from mycelium of
Ganoderma lucidum on liver biliary cirrhosis in rats.
Yakhak Hoechi 1997, 41(2); 220-224
4) Reishi and High Blood Pressure
An active fraction was obtained from water simmered Ganoderma lucidum
which was shown to be useful as an antihypertensive agent
(something that lowers blood pressure).
Ganoderma lucidum hypertensive component.
Moringa Milk Industry Co., Ltd.
Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho 81 57,801; May 20th 1981
5) Reishi and HIV
Over the past decade, substantial progress has been made in
defining strategies for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) disease, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,
where natural products can serve as a source of structurally novel
chemicals that are worth investigating as specific inhibitors of HIV as
well as its essential enzymes, protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase
(RT).
Ganoderma lucidum (Japanese name: Reishi) is one of the valuable
crude drugs, which has long been used in China and Japan as a
traditional Chinese medicine or a folk medicine for the treatment of
various kinds of diseases. Several biologically active triterpenes and
sterols have been isolated from this mushroom and proved effective as
cytotoxic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents. Besides,
polysaccharides and glycoproteins possessing hypoglycemic and
immunostimulant activities have also been isolated from its water
extract. In the course of our continuing search for natural products as
anti-HIV agents, the MEOH extract of the fruiting bodies was found to be
moderately active against HIV-1 as well as its essential enzyme,
protease (PR). Therefore this extract was selected for further
fractionation. When subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation, the
extract yielded several active compounds. This paper describes the
isolation of thirteen compounds, and their inhibitory effects against
HIV-1 and its enzyme PR.
Sahar El-Mekkawy, Meselhy and R. Meselhy
Ganoderma lucidum on the Growth of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
and Protease Activity
Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku
(Traditional Sino-Japanese Medicines)
Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University
6) Reishi as an Antioxidant
An antitumor polysaccharide extract of Ganoderma lucidum was found
to have free-radical scavenging activity. It was active against both
superoxide and hydroxyl radicals.
Liu, Ooi and Chang. Free radical scavenging activities of mushroom polysaccharide extracts.
Life Sci. 1997, 60(10); 763-771
7)Reishi and Old Age
The ancient Chinese text Shen Nong Ben Jing volume 1 from about
the year 500 states that Ganoderma lucidum is useful for enhancing vital
energy, increasing thinking faculty and preventing forgetfulness. It can
refresh the body and mind, delay aging and enable one to live long. It
stabilizes one's mental condition (Mizuno 1996). The importance of
retaining memory into old age probably lies in the Taoist belief that
sickness was caused by past transgressions and that the patient had to
remember the transgressions, record them and then destroy the record.
This belief placed a strong emphasis on memory in the maintenance of
health and longevity.
Of great interest has been the recent reports from the United
States indicating a possible central role for inflammation in the
development of such diverse diseases as Alzheimer's Disease and
Cardiovascular disease. This research has the possibility of linking
some of the historical uses of Ganoderma in promoting longevity with
contemporary Western scientific theory. The provocative connections are:
(1) Ganoderma was used to prevent memory loss in old age (2) Ganoderma
is anti-inflammatory, (3) inflammation is involved in the development of
Alzheimer's disease (4) Alzheimer's disease appears to be ameliorated by
chronic anti-inflammatory use.
In research in mice Stavinoha et al. (1991, 1996) found Ganoderma
lucidum to be potent anti-inflammatory agent. The water extract of the
fruiting body was active orally against both carrageenan induced
inflammation and croton oil induced inflammation. The ethyl acetate
extract was active as an anti-inflammatory agent both orally and
topically. The active compound was isolated and identified. This
compound is equivalent in anti-inflammatory activity to hydrocortisone.
It does not show the typical side effects of steroids such as thymic
involution nor appear to cause gastropathy which is the major side
effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.
Inflammation and Alzheimer's disease: A number of indicators of active inflammation
have been found in the Alzheimer's diseased brain. Unless inflammation
is present there is no notable neurodegeneration or Alzheimer's signs
and symptoms even in the presence of extensive neurofibrillary tangles
and Amyloid B-peptide plaque deposition (Rogers 1995).
William B. Stavinoha
Status of Ganoderma Lucidum in United States:
Ganoderma Lucidum as an Anti-inflammatory Agent
University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.
|
