Use of Ganoderma lucidum (Ganodermataceae, Basidiomycota) as Radioprotector

Abstract

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.

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) an edible mushroom; a comprehensive and critical review of its nutritional, cosmeceutical, mycochemical, pharmacological, clinical, and toxicological properties

“…Besides, Reishi found numerous applications in treating hepatitis, arthritis, asthma, insomnia, gastric ulcers, and neurasthenia (González et al, 2020;McKenna, 2002;Zahid, Barua, & Huq, 2010;. Traditionally, Reishi has been used after boiling and drying for the treatment of various ailments (Cho et al, 2012).…”

“…Reishi remained a traditional therapy for shortness of breath, palpitation, dizziness, and insomnia (Wachtel‐Galor et al, 2011). Besides, Reishi found numerous applications in treating hepatitis, arthritis, asthma, insomnia, gastric ulcers, and neurasthenia (González et al, 2020; McKenna, 2002; Zahid, Barua, & Huq, 2010; S. Zhou & Gao, 2002). Traditionally, Reishi has been used after boiling and drying for the treatment of various ailments (Cho et al, 2012).…”

Ganoderma lucidum: a comprehensive review of phytochemistry, efficacy, safety and clinical study

“…Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) belongs to basidiomycete, with a woody texture, widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions in Europe, North America, and Asia [1]. It is a kind of mushroom for both medicine and food, which has a long history in China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries.…”

Molecular mechanisms of the chemical constituents from anti-inflammatory and antioxidant active fractions of Ganoderma neo-japonicum Imazeki

“…As a functional medicine and food for the amelioration of health and longevity, Ganoderma species have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for more than two millennia ( Fu et al, 2019 ; Leskosek-Cukalovic et al, 2010 ). Ganoderma species are considered legal crude drug medicines in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition) for preventing cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diseases in the clinic stage ( Chung et al, 2017 ; González et al, 2020 ). In addition, modern pharmacological and clinical investigations have also demonstrated that Ganoderma species have various pharmacological effects and biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiaging, antitumor, and hepatoprotective, and other medicinal activities.…”

“…( Fujita et al, 2005 ; Martínez-Montemayor et al, 2019 ). The main bioactive compounds include triterpenoids, polysaccharides, sterols, and proteins extracted from its fruiting bodies (basidiocarps), which are responsible for these biological activities of Ganoderma species ( Chung et al, 2017 ; González et al, 2020 ). Among them, triterpenes are one of the main active components of Ganoderma lucidum , which inhibit various inflammatory reactions in vivo ( Feng and Wang, 2019 ; C. Liu et al, 2015 ; Wu et al, 2019 ).…”