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Ganoderma Lucidum Tea
Ganoderma lucidum, known as lingzhi or reishi in Chinese and l
Antioxidant
Ganoderma lucidum, also called reishi mushrooms or Lingzhi in China, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years due to its immunostimulating and antioxidant properties. It contains polysaccharides, triterpenes and glucans that are known to have anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory effects. Reishi mushrooms can be eaten raw or made into a tea. This mushroom is sold in herbal shops and supermarkets as a medicinal herb or supplement. It is also a common ingredient in a variety of dietary supplements and nutraceutical commercial products, including a pulverised form mixed with coffee and promoted as a a tonic and weight loss beverage.
Recent studies have demonstrated that G. lucidum and its components possess promising therapeutic potential against AD, including delay of the onset and progression of the disease, improvement of cognitive function and quality of life. These effects are mainly attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. They are achieved by inhibiting tau hyperphosphorylation, Ab formation, affecting activated microglia, regulating NF-kB/MAPK signalling pathway, preventing neuronal apoptosis and modulating acetylcholinesterase (Fig 1) (Wachtel-Galor et al. 2004a).
The G. lucidum polysaccharides are composed of a glucose core and a number of side chains, such as xylose, mannose, galactose and fucose in different conformations. They are water-soluble and have been reported to have antidiabetic, hypoglycaemic, antihyperlipidaemia, immunomodulatory and anticancer activities. The polysaccharides may inhibit
Ganoderma lucidum is rich in triterpenes, including ganoderic acid A, B, ergosterol, ganodermic acid C and lucidumin B. They have anti-inflammatory, antitumor and lipid-lowering activities and may have anti-aging effects. Triterpenes also have antioxidant properties and can protect against UV irradiation-induced oxidative stress. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides have also been found to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-a in BV2 microglial cells. In addition, deacetyl ganoderic acid F, a triterpenoid extracted from G. lucidum, has been shown to inhibit LPS-stimulated production of NO in BV2 microglial cells and reduce inflammatory responses in vivo (Fig 2).
Anti-inflammatory
Ganoderma lucidum, known as Lingzhi in Asia, has a long history of dietary intake and medicinal use. It is rich in biologically active constituents such as triterpenes, polysaccharides, antioxidant peptides and spore oil, which exhibit antihypertensive, hypoglycaemic, lipid-lowering, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. The fungus is widely used in tea drinks, pastry, biscuits and other foods as raw material or food additive. It is also a common ingredient in a number of functional beverages and food supplements. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that G. lucidum extracts and compounds possess promising therapeutic potential against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). They have been shown to attenuate AD progression, improve cognitive function, prevent neuronal cell death and modulate the microglia-mediated neuro-inflammation through multiple mechanisms such as preventing tau hyperphosphorylation, inhibiting Ab formation, regulating NF-kB/MAPK signalling, enhancing GSK-3b activity, promoting M2 microglial polarization, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, affecting activation of astrocytes and suppressing acetylcholinesterase activity.
Among the many triterpenoids, deacetyl ganoderic acid F (DeGA F) has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory actions by inhibiting LPS-induced production of NO in BV2 microglial cells, reducing iNOS expression, and lowering the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-a. Another metabolite, ganoderic acid D, attenuated the LPS-induced proliferation of BV2 microglial cells and the phosphorylation of ERK in a dose-dependent manner. In a carotid artery ligation model, oral administration of G. lucidum crude extract significantly reduced neointimal formation 2 weeks after ligation.
The ethanol extract of the fruiting body, mycelium and spores of G. lucidum has been reported to have antidiabetic and cardioprotective activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. It improved glucose tolerance and lowered plasma insulin, triglyceride and cholesterol levels by maintaining pancreatic islet viability and improving the functions of enzymes such as hexokinase, GSH-S transferase and glutathione peroxidase. Moreover, it attenuated the cardiotoxicity of adriamycin in mice by preventing oxidative damage to mitochondria and by enhancing the levels of antioxidative enzymes GSH-S reductase and thioredoxin peroxidase. It also exhibited antihypertensive, antidiuretic and anticholinesterase activities. In addition, it improved the vascular endothelial function and inflammatory response in rats with diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Anti-tumor
Ganoderma lucidum, known as the Reishi mushroom or ling chih, grows on the trunks of some trees in Asia and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to promote health and extend longevity. It is also believed to boost the immune system and prevent cancer. The fungus contains complex sugars called beta-glucans that appear to slow or stop tumor growth. The mushrooms may also stimulate a type of white blood cell called a natural killer cell that targets abnormal — including cancerous — cells.
The ganoderma mushroom tea is made by steeping slices of the fungus in hot water, or boiling them in a mixture of equal parts water and milk. The resulting liquid is then sweetened with honey or sugar, and served as a drink. The fungus is also available as a powder or extract that can be mixed with coffee or other beverages.
Studies have found that reishi mushrooms can increase the number and activity of white blood cells that destroy tumors and viruses. In addition, reishi mushrooms seem to prevent certain types of cancers by altering the way they are grown in the body and affecting their genes.
Reishi mushroom extracts have been shown to prevent the spread of ovarian and lung cancer. They also increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs. In one study, reishi mushroom extracts prevented the occurrence of nausea and vomiting associated with radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer.
Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides are cytotoxic to human HepG2/C3A liver cancer and 786-O kidney tumor cells, and induce DNA damage in these cells. They also exhibit a similar cytotoxic effect on lymphocytes, but only at high concentrations.
Reishi is thought to help treat a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome, in which patients feel exhausted even when they get enough rest. This condition is caused by a lack of energy and may be due to an illness, infection, or stress. Reishi may help reduce the symptoms of this disorder, such as headaches, dizziness, aches and pains, and insomnia. It also helps relieve anxiety and depression.
Anti-aging
Ganoderma lucidum is a mushroom that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years as a natural health tonic and immune booster. Its health-promoting polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, can stimulate the immune system and prevent tumor growth and lower blood pressure. The fungus can also promote a healthy liver, fight cancer, treat diabetes and lower cholesterol. In addition, it is believed to have anti-aging properties and help people overcome fatigue. Traditionally, reishi has been consumed in a tea form to improve energy levels and prevent fatigue. The fungus contains compounds that stimulate the release of the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine, which can increase energy levels. It also contains antioxidants that can protect against oxidative stress and cell damage. This combination of nutrients makes reishi a powerful anti-aging supplement.
The polysaccharides and triterpenes of G. lucidum have been shown to have many pharmacological activities and are thought to be responsible for its anti-aging properties. These polysaccharides include l-arabinol, a polypeptide called LZ-8, and a group of polyphenols known as ganodermadins. The ganodermadins are also able to modulate the expression of cytokines and inflammatory genes, which are associated with aging.
Several studies have found that G. lucidum has hypoglycaemic activity in mice. The spore oil of the fungus was able to decrease blood glucose levels by increasing insulin secretion and decreasing hepatic glucose production, while increasing adipose and skeletal muscle glucose disposal (Pan et al., 2014). In another study, a water extract of G. lucidum administered to lean (+db/+m) and genetically obese/diabetic (+db/+m) mice lowered serum glucose levels through down-regulation of hepatic PEPCK gene expression (Seto et al., 2009).
Other studies have shown that a commercially available encapsulated G. lucidum preparation is able to improve biomarkers of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as blood glucose and lipid profiles, as well as DNA damage, when taken over 16 weeks (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011).
The anti-aging and cardioprotective effects of reishi may be due to its ability to modulate the expression of circular RNA circ-Foxo3 in the heart tissue, which is involved in the development of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSC) and in cardiac hypertrophy. In a mouse model of transverse aortic constriction-induced hypertension and heart failure, administration of G. lucidum spore oil every other day for 14 days normalised ventricular dysfunction and reduced left ventricular hypertrophy, and this effect was mediated by the ligand-binding activity of the ganoderma lectins ganoderic acid eta, lucidenic acid K, and farnesyl hydroquinone ganomycin J and B (Chen et al., 2017).
