Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, commonly referred to as “reishi mushrooms” or “mushrooms of spiritual potency,” contain triterpenoids with C30 skeleton and various polysaccharides with antihypertensive, lipid-reducing, and immune-enhancing effects.

Solid-state fermentation of Ganoderma lucidum extracts enhances tea quality by increasing D-fructose, trehalose, lactose and xylitol content.

Antioxidant

Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi in China, Reishi in Japan) is an exceptionally beneficial medicinal mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine for preventing and treating bronchitis, allergies, hepatitis and immunological disorders. Mycelia and fruiting bodies of G. lucidum contain numerous chemical compounds with therapeutic activities including triterpenoids, polysaccharides (b-D-glucans), proteins, nucleosides, phenols alkaloids and steroids.

Ganoderma tea contains multiple antioxidants that work to neutralise harmful free radicals and prevent their damage to cells and tissues, thereby providing antihypertensive, hypoglycaemic, and lipid-reducing benefits (Wachtel-Galor et al. 2011). However, clinical trial results relating to these effects have varied between products used and study populations used.

An ethanol extract of G. lucidum has been demonstrated to enhance insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar levels in diabetic mice, while water extract of this mushroom reduced serum cholesterol in hamsters and minipigs by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase activity; oxygenated lanosterol-containing organic fractions also helped lower levels. To properly ascertain any cardiovascular benefits from using standardised preparations of G. lucidum mushrooms, further large controlled clinical trials must include standardised preparations. In particular, it would be crucial to evaluate antioxidant capacity as well as interactions with main risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases.

Anti-inflammatory

Ganoderma lucidum is an anti-inflammatory medicinal mushroom with well-documented benefits, according to several studies. Its polysaccharides, antioxidant peptides, Ganoderma spore oil and triterpenes have proven their ability to block multiple pro-inflammatory pathways (JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt-NRF2 and TLR-4/NF-B), thus helping stop beta amyloid accumulation and formation of NFTs; additionally it suppresses GSK-3b and promotes production of anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by microglia; ultimately helping improve brain immune function (Table 1) (Table 1).

G. lucidum exhibits antihypertensive and lipid-reducing properties as well as hypoglycaemic activities. A chloroform extract of the fruiting body of G. lucidum contains several lignans and triterpenoids known to act as a-glucosidase inhibitors (Fatmawati et al., 2011), such as Ganoderic Acid Df (also referred to as Lanostane-Type Triterpenoid), with an IC50 value significantly higher than Acarbose which is currently prescribed by T2DM patients.

Ganoderic acid Df may inhibit a-glucosidase via interaction with the b-chain of acetylcholinesterase, making it potentially useful in treating T2DM which has high levels of this enzyme. Furthermore, glycoproteins in G. lucidum have been found to stimulate catalase synthesis within cells while simultaneously decreasing malondialdehyde levels through redox reactions.

Antihypertensive

Ganoderma lucidum is well-known for its cholesterol-reducing, antihypertensive, and cancer-fighting abilities. This plant boasts several active constituents that include polysaccharides and oxygenated triterpenoids for maximum efficacy. Polysaccharides contain strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while triterpenoids have numerous biological functions. Many of these compounds have undergone phase I, II and III clinical trials for evaluation. G. lucidum extracts are widely utilized in herbal supplements or nutraceutical commercial products, often in combination with other plant components. Such items are often sold under the names Lingzhi or Reishi and come as capsules, tablets, tinctures or tea bags for consumer purchase. G. lucidum contains numerous polysaccharides that have been shown to exert powerful antihypertensive properties, according to studies. A recent research study demonstrated that freeze-dried extracts had higher antioxidant capacities than hot-dried versions, likely due to higher concentrations of polysaccharides and lucidenic acid F present in freeze-dried versions.

Animal studies of G. lucidum have demonstrated its hypoglycaemic properties. When administered to db/db mice, FYGL increased insulin secretion while simultaneously decreasing hepatic glucose output and skeletal muscle glycogen uptake, inhibited gluconeogenesis production and increasing peripheral glucose disposal rates; it even prevented damage caused by high blood glucose levels as well as promoted muscle repair (Pan et al. 2013).

G. lucidum exerts its pharmacological activities through triterpenoids, oxygenated polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds found within its leaves and stems. Unfortunately, due to a lack of standardisation among commercial G. lucidum products it can be difficult to assess any potential health benefits for patients suffering from hyperlipidemia or diabetes; controlled clinical studies should be performed using G. lucidum preparations standardised based on known active ingredients for cardiometabolic disorders prevention or treatment.

Immunomodulatory

Ganoderma lucidum, more commonly known in China and Japan as Lingzhi and Reishi respectively, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its longevity- and immunity-enhancing effects. Multiple studies have demonstrated its antihypertensive, hypoglycaemic, antioxidant activities. These benefits may be attributable to polysaccharides, oxygenated triterpenes, amino acids, and phenolic compounds present within its composition – some of which have even been found to prevent cholesterol biosynthesis through inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase just like statin drugs do!

Ganoderma polysaccharides can stimulate macrophage activation and phagocytosis, enhance natural killer cell activity and decrease proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a and IL-1 production. Furthermore, they may help inhibit cancer cell proliferation by decreasing integrin expression levels and curbing angiogenesis.

Hydroethanolic extract of G. lucidum containing b-glucan, proteins and phenols was shown to successfully lower plasma glucose levels in diabetic streptozotocin-induced rats by down-regulating their PEPCK activity (Klupp et al., 2018). Furthermore, in a placebo-controlled trial involving 62 T2DM patients consuming 1800 mg three times a day of Ganopoly(tm) three times daily for 12 weeks significantly reduced fasting and postprandial plasma glucose as well as HbA1c levels without altering either their lipid or blood pressure levels (Wang et al., 2008).

Be mindful that commercial Lingzhi products do not undergo effective standardisation, making it hard to compare results across trials using different extracts.

Coronavirus Inhibitor

Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, commonly referred to as the “mushrooms of spiritual potency” or “mushrooms of immortality,” have long been used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine as health-promoting agents. Tea and rice wine beverages often feature these delicious mushrooms. A recent study conducted by researchers showed that freeze-dried G. lucidum extracts had superior antioxidant activity when compared with their heat-dried counterparts as well as higher concentrations of polysaccharides, lucidenic acid, and 12-acetyl ganoderic acid F compared with their heat-dried counterparts – compounds known to increase production of cytokines which support immune function and enhance phagocytosis by way of increasing production of these compounds than their heat-dried counterparts.

Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, commonly referred to as Reishi in Japan and Europe, are red-colored species of Ganoderma that grow on decaying hardwood trees in China and Europe. Reishi has been used medicinally in traditional Far Eastern medicine for millennia for its anticancer, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic and cardiovascular benefits; some claim it can even help protect against respiratory tract infections while bolstering immunity systems.

Studies have confirmed that Reishi mushrooms can help prevent cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol. Reishi also helps protect against diabetes and obesity by improving insulin sensitivity, helping depression and anxiety by decreasing cortisol (a stress hormone which increases heart rate) production and potentially slowing its replication. Finally, Reishi may provide further benefits by inhibiting viral protease enzyme activity which could slow its replication further still.