Ganoderma lucidum(‘Lingzhi’), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study

Abstract

Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a woody mushroom highly regarded in traditional medicine and is widely consumed in the belief that it promotes health and longevity, lowers the risk of cancer and heart disease and boosts the immune system. However, objective scientific validation of the putative health benefits of Lingzhi in human subjects is lacking, and issues of possible toxicity must be addressed. The present double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over intervention study investigated the effects of 4 weeks Lingzhi supplementation on a range of biomarkers for antioxidant status, CHD risk, DNA damage, immune status, and inflammation, as well as markers of liver and renal toxicity. It was performed as a follow-up to a study that showed that antioxidant power in plasma increased after Lingzhi ingestion, and that 10 d supplementation was associated with a trend towards an improved CHD biomarker profile. In the present study, fasting blood and urine from healthy, consenting adults (n 18; aged 22 -52 years) was collected before and after 4 weeks supplementation with a commercially available encapsulated Lingzhi preparation (1·44 g Lingzhi/d; equivalent to 13·2 g fresh mushroom/d) or placebo. No significant change in any of the variables was found, although a slight trend toward lower lipids was again seen, and antioxidant capacity in urine increased. The results showed no evidence of liver, renal or DNA toxicity with Lingzhi intake, and this is reassuring. The present study of the effects in healthy, well-nourished subjects provides useful, new scientific data that will support controlled intervention trials using atrisk subjects in order to assess the therapeutic effect of Lingzhi in the promotion of healthy ageing.

Complications of traditional Chinese/herbal medicines (TCM)—a guide for perplexed oncologists and other cancer caregivers

“…It is prescribed by herbalists not only as a general dietary/ health supplement and putative immunomodulator, but also for specific treatment of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, asthma, and allergy. There is no conclusive evidence of dosedependent hemostatic impairment [46], renal or hepatic toxicity [100], or of genotoxicity/mutagenicity [13]. Occasional cases of watery diarrhea due to ingested Ganoderma spore overgrowth have been reported [102].…”

Antioxidant Potential of Ethanol and Ethyl Acetat Extract of Ganoderma sp. Mycelium

“…Wachtel-Galor et al, (2004) stated if G. lucidum could maintain the consumer's health. Analysis of Ganoderma lucidum by Stamets (2000) both qualitatively and quantitatively reported that Ganoderma lucidum contain different bioactive compounds which depend on its growth medium and conditions.…”

Statistical optimization of culture conditions for enhanced mycelial biomass production using Ganoderma lucidum

“…The basidiocarp, mycelia, and spores of G. lucidum contain approximately 400 different bioactive compounds with polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, and triterpenes being the three major physiologically active constituents [1]. The specific reported attributes of G. lucidum include lowering the risk of cancer, heart disease, and infection; these health-promoting effects are believed to be mediated through the antioxidant, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of the mushroom [2]. Modern uses of the mushroom therefore include treatment of coronary heart diseases, arteriosclerosis, hepatitis, arthritis, nephritis, bronchitis, asthma, hypertension, cancer, and gastric ulcer [3].…”