Note
Additional Scientific Information on Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) –
1. Cardiovascular Effects
1.1 Ganoderma lucidum, Reishi, contains a blood platelet aggregation
inhibitor, a water soluble derivative of adenosine
(5'deoxy-5'-methylsulphinyladenosine).
1.2 Ganoderma lucidum has beneficial effects on cholesterol
biosynthesis & absorption: A sterol derivative of Ganoderma very
strongly inhibited cholesterol synthesis.
1.3 The tincture of the extract of the fruiting body of Ganoderma
lucidum had a significant cardiotonic (strengthening) effect on the
isolated frog heart.
1.4 In a clinical study at Tokyo University hospital, patients with
essential hypertension (genetically inherited) were given six 240-mg
Ganoderma lucidum tablets each day. After six months on this regimen,
they showed normal
systolic and diastolic readings.
1.5 Ninety-two patients with myocardial infarction and chest pain were
treated with Ganoderma lucidum extract and 72% of these patients felt
the symptoms were relieved. Hyperlipemia patients treated with
Ganoderma lucidum extract also showed decreased blood cholesterol
levels in 14 out of 15 patients.
1.6 It has been reported that Ganoderma lucidum has
cholesterol-lowering properties The effective rate was about 86% for 12
weeks to 6 months of treatment for hyperlipidemia patients. It has also
been reported that the extract of Ganoderma lucidum is clinically
effective for hyperlipemia (excess fat) treatment.
1.7 Japanese researchers (Morigiwa, et. al., 1986) have isolated 10
anti-hypertensive lanostane triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum.
1.8 Ganoderma lucidum markedly improved pancreatic blood flow rate in
rats.
Ganoderma lucidum was also effective in treating abnormal cardiac
impulse
in rats.
2. The Effect on the Central Nervous System
The extract of Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body was able to suppress the
central nervous system and relax the muscles in experimental mice. The
extract also had an anodyne (pain relieving) effect on animal subjects.
3. Immunostimulating Activity
3.1 Ganoderma lucidum is rich in immunostimulating polysaccharides and
has anti-cancer activity. The functions of the polysaccharides include
intensified phagocytosis of reticuloendothelial systems, activation of
macrophages, activation of T-lymphocytes, enhancement of cell-mediated
immune response, and activation of the alternative pathway of the
complement system. The
most immunologically active polysaccharides have an anti-cancer
activity.
Mizuno, et al (1984) showed that the anti-cancer water-soluble
b-D-glucan
significantly enhances its host-mediated anticancer activity (Sone,
Okuda,
et al 1985). Acidic b-glucan isolated from Ganoderma lucidum also
showed
an anti-cancer activity.
3.2 In most of the cancer-host relationships, cancer cell destruction
is
accomplished by many different ways. The one mechanism of
immuno-activation and anti-cancer action is to kill cancer cells
through activation of natural killer cells. The hot-water extract of
Ganoderma lucidum showed the ability to activate natural killer cell
activity. The natural killer cell activating factor is distributed in
the fruit body of Ganoderma lucidum.
3.3 Ganoderma lucidum has been found to have interferon-inducing
activity . Interferons are a family of small protein molecules secreted
naturally by human cells to fight viral and other infections.
Interferon has been touted as a potential cancer-treating drug for
nearly 30 years.
3.4 Fifty-two patients suffering from leukopenia (insufficient white
blood cell count) were treated with Ganoderma lucidum extract and 44
patients showed increased leukocytes after treatment. The effective
rate was 84.8%.
3.5 Liu, et al (1980) reported that the extract of Ganoderma lucidum
was effective for the treatment of muscular dystrophy.
3.6 Ganoderma lucidum has tumoricidal (tumor reducing) activity capable
of inhibiting the proliferation of mouse Sarcoma 180 cells both in
vitro and in vivo. In this study, researchers investigated the effect
of the
polysaccharide fraction (GPS) of Ganoderma lucidum on the proliferation
and
differentiation of human monocytic leukemia cell line, U937. Using an
in
vitro liquid culture system, they found that the conditioned medium
from
GPS-stimulated human blood mononuclear cells (GPS-MNC-CM) possessed an
activity
that could significantly inhibit the growth of U937 cells and induce
them
to differentiate into mature monocytes/macrophages which had functions
of
phagocytosis and producing cytoplasmic superoxide. Neither GPS nor
normal
(untreated) MNC-CM was found to have a differentiating effect on the
target
cells. The optimal condition for stimulating the in vitro production of
MNC-derived
differentiation-inducing activity was to use GPS at a low concentration
of
50 micrograms/ml and to incubate MNC for a short period of 24 hours.
Long-term
(greater than 3 days) incubation resulted in a decrease in the
differentiating
activity of the conditioned media.
3.7 Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on production of interleukin-2 from
murine splenocytes. The purpose of this study was to determine the
effect of Ganoderma lucidum on the production of Interleukin-2 (IL-2)
from murine splenocytes. It was observed that hydrocortisone (HC)
0.025-1 microgram /ml could significantly antagonize the inhibitory
activity of HC and CSA to increase the production of IL-2 in vitro, P
< 0.01. When the splenocytes pretreated with GL
alone or in combination with HC, it was shown that pre-treatment alone
had
no significant effect on IL-2 production, but pre-incubating
splenocytes
with HC and GL resulted in a significant increase of IL-2 production
when
compared with that of HC group, P < 0.01. In vivo, GL 300 mg/kg
could
increase the production of IL-2 when oral taken GL alone or in
combination
of HC. (Internet 2)3.8 Effects of Ganoderma polysaccharides on the
activity
of DNA polymerase alpha of splenocytes and immune function in aged
mice.
The activity of DNA polymerase alpha in splenocytes of 24-month-old
mice
was about 35.6% lower than that of 3-month-old mice. Aged mice were
intraperitoneally
administered Ganoderma polysaccharides GPS once a day for 4 days and
then
the activity of the enzyme was assessed. The results showed that GPS at
doses
of 25 and 50 mg/kg-1 enhanced the activity of the enzyme in aged mouse
splenocytes
by 44.0 and 58.8% respectively. In addition, the mixed lymphocyte
response
to alloantigen, automatic proliferation and IL-2 production of
splenocytes
in aged mice declined as compared with that in young adult mice. GL-B
(50,
100, 200 micrograms.ml-1) was found to restore those parameters to the
levels
of that of young mice in vitro. Ling Zhi-8: a novel T cell mitogen
induces
cytokine production and upregulation of ICAM-1 expression. Ling Zhi-8
(LZ-8)
is a protein purified from Ganoderma lucidum, a Chinese medicinal
fungus
thought to possess potent effects on the immune system. When examined
for
its effects on lymphocytes, LZ-8 exhibited potent mitogenic effects on
human
peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), inducing a bell-shaped
dose-response
curve similar to that caused by PHA and other lectin mitogens.
Fractionation
experiments indicated that the proliferative response in the PBL
cultures
was primarily due to T cells, but was monocyte dependent. Stimulation
of
PBL with LZ-8 resulted in the production of IL-2 and a corresponding
upregulation
of IL-2 receptor expression. In addition to T cell proliferation,
microscopic
examination of LZ-8-stimulated PBL revealed that LZ-8 induced cellular
aggregate
formation. The aggregate formation correlated with a dramatic rise in
ICAM-1
expression and an increased production of IFN-gamma, TNF alpha, and
IL-1
beta, molecules associated with regulation of ICAM-1 expression. Both
the
aggregate formation and the proliferative effects of LZ-8 were blocked
by
addition of monoclonal antibody to either CD18 or CD11a, the
counter-receptor
complex components for ICAM-1. Furthermore, addition of neutralizing
antibodies
to both IL-2 receptor and TNF alpha blocked aggregate formation,
cellular
proliferation, and ICAM-1 expression. These findings demonstrate that
LZ-8
is a potent T cell activator, mediating its effects via cytokine
regulation
of integrin expression. (Genentech research)3.9 Effect of Ganoderma
polysaccharides
on T cell subpopulations and production of interleukin 2 in mixed
lymphocyte
response. Mixed lymphocyte response was used as a main model through
all
the experiments. In a series of concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200
micrograms/ml),
Ganoderma polysaccharides (GPS) promoted the production of interleukin
2
(IL-2) in a concentration-dependent manner after initiation of culture
for
12 h and increased the total cell recovery as well as that of Lyt 2+
and
L3T4+ cells after 4 days of culture. The data also show that the
polysaccharides
markedly enhanced the cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which
was
increased by 100% at the concentration of 200 micrograms/ml. 3.10.
Chemical
studies on immunologically active po lysaccharides of Ganoderma lucidum
(GPS),
the polysaccharide component of the fruit body of Ganoderma lucidum,
has
been shown to have immune activity. From BN3B four homogeneous
polysaccharides
were separated and purified. Chemical studies on the main components
BN3B1
and BN3B3 indicated that BM3B1 contained only glucose and is a glucan
containing
beta-(1-6) and (1-3) glycoside bonds and that BN3B3 was an
arabinogalactan
containing beta-(1-6) and (1-3) glycoside bonds.
4. Anti-allergic Activity
4.1. Ganoderma lucidum suppressed histamine and other chemical mediator
release from mast cells. Hirai, Takase, et al (1983) showed that the
extract of Ganoderma lucidum has an inhibitory action on histamine
release from rat mast cells. A Japanese research group at Kinki
University also found
that the hot-water extract of Ganoderma lucidum has a strong
suppressive
activity on histamine release from mast cells (Kubo Lab, 1984). The
extract
also suppressed the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction. Since
the
Ganoderma lucidum (fruiting body) extract can suppress histamine
release
from mast cells and suppress PCA reaction it is expected to do well
against
type I allergies, including anaphylactic shock, atopic dermatitis, hay
fever,
hives, drug allergies, and bronchial asthma.
4.2. In the animal model for immune-complex disorders (type III
allergies), nephritis is induced by successive injections of rabbit
serum protein into rats, causing antigen-antibody complexes to develop
in the blood stream and to be deposited in the kidneys. In nephritis,
both protein concentration in urine and cholesterol concentration in
serum are increased. With treatment by Ganoderma lucidum extract,
protein and cholesterol concentrations were reduced to normal levels.
Morphological observation of the kidney also
showed recovery, and hypertension due to nephritis was returned to
normal.
4.3. Ganoderma lucidum extract also did well against such cell-mediated
allergies as picrylchloride-induced dermatitis in mice. Cell-mediated
allergies include contact dermatitis, tubercular lesions, chronic
hepatitises, auto-immune disorders and Hashimoto thyroiditis. In
addition, the extract showed great enhancement of steroid-drug effect
in the treatment of dermatitis. Due
to steroid drug's considerable side effects, any herb which could bring
about a decrease in steroid dosage is beneficial to patients. The
anti-allergic activity of Ganoderma lucidum extract has been identified
to be four triterpenes ganoderic acids: A, B, C, and D (Kohda,
Tokumoto, et al, 1985).
5. Antioxidant Activity
Free radical reactions are believed to be the cause of various
aging-associated diseases. The antioxidant activity in the body
decreases with age. In order to keep us younger for a happier and
healthier life, we need an antioxidant substance to suppress the aging
process. Ganoderma lucidum extract has
been found to have an antioxidant activity.
6. Effect on the Respiratory System
6.1. Ganoderma lucidum extracts showed anti-asthmatic effects during
experiments with guinea pigs. The Ganoderma lucidum extracts also
showed anti-histamine and anti-acetylcholine effects.
6.2. There was also a decrease of blood cholinesterase activity in 29
chronic
bronchitis patients after treatment with Ganoderma lucidum for 4 months.
6.3 Peritoneal injection of Ganoderma lucidum extract for 14 days
resulted in an increase of cyclic AMP in serum and heart muscles of
experimental rats. Cyclic AMP is a regulator of many metabolic systems.
Ganoderma lucidum extract also showed a stimulatory effect on the
production of 2,3-Diphosphoglyceric acid in human erythrocytes. This
indicates that aerobic metabolism can
be improved by the use of Ganoderma lucidum extract.
6.4. Two hundred and eighty-eight patients were treated with Ganoderma
lucidum extract for 1-3 months. The effective rate was 88.2%. In 27
cases of pediatric bronchial asthma, 23 patients showed that cough and
asthmatic symptoms were gone after one month of treatment with
Ganoderma lucidum extract
injection. The effective rate was 85%. A similar result was obtained
when
Ganoderma lucidum extract was used to treat allergic asthma.
7. Effect on the Liver
7.1. Ganoderma lucidum extract showed anti-hepatotoxic activity with
administration of the extract to mice with carbon tetrachloride-induced
liver damage.
An alcohol extract of Ganoderma lucidum also stimulated regeneration of
liver cells after part of liver was removed by surgery.
7.2. Twenty-one hepatitis patients were treated with Ganoderma lucidum
extract. For nineteen patients the major symptoms were gone within 10
days after Ganoderma lucidum extract treatment and the hepatitis marker
enzyme serum glutamic-pyruvic tansaminase value was returned to normal
45 days after
the Ganoderma lucidum extract treatment. The effective rate was 90.5%.
7.3. Antihepatotoxic Activity. Six triterpenoid, ganoderic acids U, V,
W,X, Y, and Z, isolated from Ganoderma lucidum have been found to have
cytotoxic activity in vitro on hepatoma cells (Toth, Lu, et al, 1983).
Hirotani,
et al, (1986) also observed that ganoderic acids T, S, and R, isolated
from Ganoderma lucidum, have a strong antihepatotoxic activity.
8. Radiation Protection
EffectRadiation protection can be obtained with administration of
Ganoderma lucidum extract to mice prior to irradiation.
9. Effect on Total Oxygen Consumption and Endurance
The administration of Ganoderma lucidum to mice for 14 days resulted in
decrease of whole body oxygen consumption. The result suggests that
Ganoderma lucidum can help the body to have more endurance capability
during oxygen deficient conditions.
10. Effect on Adrenocortical Hormone Secretion
After administration of Ganoderma lucidum extract to rabbits for a
week, the serum cortisol concentration was increased from 1.21 + 0.2897
mcg/100 ml to 3.47 + 0.548 mcg/100 ml. The increment of cortisol
secretion was
about 2.9-fold in Ganoderma lucidum extract-treated rabbits.
11. Protective Effect on Burns
In burn experimentation mice, the survival rate of Ganoderma lucidum
extract-treated mice was 40% in comparison to a 0% survivor rate in
non-treated mice.
12. Anti-microbial Effect
Water extract of Ganoderma lucidum has an antibacterial effect on
pneumococcus, streptococcus, staphylococcus and anti-viral effect on
influenza virus. Alcohol and acetone extract of effect also have an
antibacterial effect
on Escherichia coli (E coli), and Shigella dysenteriae
13. Hypoglycemic Effect
13.1 Ganoderma lucidum is a blood sugar reducing agent. Ganoderans A
and B, a glycans of Ganoderma lucidum, was shown to have blood sugar
reducing properties (Hikino, Konno, et al. 1985).
13.2. Kimura, et al, (1988) also showed that the water extract of
Ganoderma lucidum reduces the blood glucose level in experiments with
rats. )
14. Dental Caries (Cavities) Preventive
A primary cariogenic bacterium has been identified as Streptococcus
mutans. Membrane-bound or extracellular glucose-transferase from
Streptococcus
mutans produces water-soluble and water insoluble glucans from sucrose.
The
glucans facilitate the accumulation of microorganisms on smooth tooth
surfaces
and subsequently dental caries (tooth decay) is. Ganoderic acids S1 and
C2,
isolated from Ganoderma lucidum, have been identified to have
inhibitory
activity on glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans. The result
suggests
that the anti-plaque activity of Ganoderma lucidum is due to ganoderic
acids
S 1 and C2 if not all.
15. Comparative Polysaccharide Bioavailability
It appears that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GPS) are better
absorbed orally than those from most other mushrooms. When the edible
mushroom Shitake (Lentinus) was provided to laboratory animals with
tumors, tumor regression could be induced at a significant level only
when they were provided as 20-30% of the diet. By contrast, Ganoderma
seems to be highly effective
at relatively low oral dosages in both animals and humans. |
According to Asian tradition, Reishi is
a nourishing tonic, tonic to the three treasures (Jing, Qi and Spirit),
which builds body resistance, and is detoxifying, aphrodisiac, and
relaxing. It is widely believed to prolong life and enhance
intelligence and wisdom. Reishi has been found to fortify the immune
system, protect the cardiovascular system, and to protect the liver.
Duanwood Reishi is the best Reishi in the world. It is the cream of the
Chinese herbal system, and these mushrooms have
been proven to be the most powerful Reishi produced anywhere. Reishi
has
been shown to possess broad spectrum immune modulating activities, to
protect
the liver, to lower cholesterol, to protect the cardiovascular system
and
to stabilize the nervous system. This powerful extract possesses all
the
power of the best Reishi in the world.
