Ganoderma lucidum, Ling Zhi -Scientific Studies In Vitro

STUDIES:

http://www.asiancancerherb.info/Chi%20Ling%20Zhi.htm

IN VITRO:

1. Tang W, et al., A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia. J Med Food. 2005 Spring; 8(1):53-8.
2. Kimura Y. New anticancer agents: in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the antitumor and antimetastatic actions of various compounds isolated from medicinal plants. In Vivo. 2005 Jan-Feb; 19(1):37-60.
3. Stanley G, et al., Ganoderma lucidum suppresses angiogenesis through the inhibition of secretion of VEGF and TGF-beta1 from prostate cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Apr 29;330(1):46-52.
4. Gu YH, et al., Selective induction of apoptosis in murine skin carcinoma cells (CH72) by an ethanol extract of Lentinula edodes.Cancer Lett. 2005 Mar 18; 220(1):21-8.
5. Boon H, et al., Botanical medicine and cancer: a review of the safety and efficacy. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2004 Dec; 5(12):2485-501.
6. Zhang W, et al., [Progress in research on Ganoderma lucidium spore]. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2004 Nov; 2(6):463-5. Review. Chinese.
7. Lu QY, et al., Ganoderma lucidum extracts inhibit growth and induce actin polymerization in bladder cancer cells in vitro. Cancer Lett. 2004 Dec 8; 216(1):9-20.
8. Jiang J, et al., Ganoderma lucidum suppresses growth of breast cancer cells through the inhibition of Akt/NF-kappaB signaling. Nutr Cancer. 2004; 49(2):209-16.
9. Sun J, et al., Novel antioxidant peptides from fermented mushroom Ganoderma lucidum.J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Oct 20; 52(21):6646-52.
10. Hong KJ, et al., Effects of Ganoderma lucidum on apoptotic and anti-inflammatory function in HT-29 human colonic carcinoma cells. Phytother Res. 2004 Sep; 18(9):768-70.
11. Lu QY, et al., Ganoderma lucidum spore extract inhibits endothelial and breast cancer cells in vitro. Oncol Rep. 2004 Sep; 12(3):659-62.
12. Hsiao WL, et al., Medicinal mushroom extracts inhibit ras-induced cell transformation and the inhibitory effect requires the presence of normal cells. Carcinogenesis. 2004 Jul; 25(7):1177-83.
13. Cao QZ, et al., Antitumor and anti-angiogenic activity of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides peptide. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2004 Jun; 25(6):833-8.
14. Tomasi S, et al., Cytotoxic activity of methanol extracts from Basidiomycete mushrooms on murine cancer cell lines. Pharmazie. 2004 Apr; 59(4):290-3.
15. Jiang J, et al., Ganoderma lucidum inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells PC-3. Int J Oncol. 2004 May; 24(5):1093-9.
16. deVere White RW, et al., Effects of a genistein-rich extract on PSA levels in men with a history of prostate cancer. Urology. 2004 Feb; 63(2):259-63.
17. Wachtel-Galor S, et al., Ganoderma lucidum ("Lingzhi"), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. Br J Nutr. 2004 Feb; 91(2):263-9.
18. Iwatsuki K, et al., Lucidenic acids P and Q, methyl lucidenate P, and other triterpenoids from the fungus Ganoderma lucidum and their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus activation. J Nat Prod. 2003 Dec; 66(12):1582-5.
19. Sliva D, et al., Biologic activity of spores and dried powder from Ganoderma lucidum for the inhibition of highly invasive human breast and prostate cancer cells. J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Aug; 9(4):491-7.
20. Berovic M, et al., Submerged cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum biomass and immunostimulatory effects of fungal polysaccharides. J Biotechnol. 2003 Jun 12; 103(1):77-86.
21. Ning J, et al., Synthesis of beta-(1-->6)-branched beta-(1-->3) glucohexaose and its analogues containing an alpha-(1-->3) linked bond with antitumor activity. Bioorg Med Chem. 2003 May 15; 11(10):2193-203.
22. Lin SB, et al., Triterpene-enriched extracts from Ganoderma lucidum inhibit growth of hepatoma cells via suppressing protein kinase C, activating mitogen-activated protein kinases and G2-phase cell cycle arrest.Life Sci. 2003 Apr 11; 72(21):2381-90.
23. Miura T, et a., Isoflavone aglycon produced by culture of soybean extracts with basidiomycetes and its anti-angiogenic activity. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002 Dec; 66(12):2626-31.
24. Li P, et al., [Isolation, purification and bioactivities of exopoly saccharides from fermented broth of Ganoderma lucidum]. Wei Sheng Wu Xue Bao. 2000 Apr; 40(2):217-20. Chinese.
25. Kimura Y, et al., Antitumor and antimetastatic effects on liver of triterpenoid fractions of Ganoderma lucidum: mechanism of action and isolation of an active substance. Anticancer Res. 2002 Nov-Dec; 22(6A):3309-18.
26. Sliva D, et al., Ganoderma lucidum suppresses motility of highly invasive breast and prostate cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002 Nov 8; 298(4):603-12.
27. Hu H, et al., Ganoderma lucidum extract induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell. Int J Cancer. 2002 Nov 20; 102(3):250-3.
28. Ghafar MA, et al., Regression of prostate cancer following administration of Genistein Combined Polysaccharide (GCP), a nutritional supplement: a case report. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Aug; 8(4):493-7.
29. Liu X, et al., Antitumor activity of the sporoderm-broken germinating spores of Ganoderma lucidum. Cancer Lett. 2002 Aug 28;182(2):155-61.
30. Hsieh TC, et al., Mechanism of action of herbal supplement PC-SPES: elucidation of effects of individual herbs of PC-SPES on proliferation and prostate specific gene expression in androgen-dependent LNCaP cells. Int J Oncol. 2002 Mar; 20(3):583-8.
31. Lee JM, et al., Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage by Ganoderma lucidum. Phytother Res. 2001 May; 15(3):245-9.
    

Publications on Reishi , ling zhi mushrooms

BOOKS

Peirce, Andrea. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: William Morrow and Company, 1999.

Teegaurden, Ron. The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs. New York: Warner Books, 1998.

PERIODICALS

Fuchs, Nan Kathryn. "A Brand New Super Nutrient!" Women's Health Letter8 (August 2002): 1-3.

Ghafar, M. A., E. Golliday, J. Bingham, et al. "Regression of Prostate Cancer Following Administration of Genistein Combined Polysaccharide (GCP), a Nutritional Supplement: A Case Report." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 8 (August 2002): 493-497.

Hsu, M. J., S. S. Lee, and W. W. Lin. "Polysaccharide Purified fromGanoderma lucidum Inhibits Spontaneous and Fas-Mediated Apoptosis in Human Neutrophils through Activation of the Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase/Akt Signaling Pathway." Journal of Leukocyte Biology 72 (July 2002): 207-216.

Liu, X., J. P. Yuan, C. K. Chung, and X. J. Chen. "Antitumor Activity of the Sporoderm-Broken Germinating Spores of Ganoderma lucidum." Cancer Letter 182 (August 28, 2002): 155-161.

Zhang, G. L., Y. H. Wang, W. Ni, et al. "Hepatoprotective Role ofGanoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Against BCG-Induced Immune Liver Injury in Mice." World Journal of Gastroenterology 8 (August 2002): 728-733.

How reishi or lingzhi mushroom is prepared, dosage , interactions

Preparations

Virtually all ganoderma available commercially are from cultivated mushrooms. Different preparations are made using the cap, the spores, and the mycelium. These preparations are available in the form of fresh and dried whole mushrooms, capsules, concentrated drips, extracts, tablets, tea bags, tea granules, and tinctures. A common dose is 1,800–2,400 mg in capsule form per day. However, doses vary hugely depending on the condition being treated and the strength and part of the mushroom being used.

Precautions

Although no toxic reactions to ganoderma have been reported, people with allergies to other mushrooms may also experience allergic reactions to ganoderma.

Side effects

Large doses (2–9 g) of ganoderma taken regularly over the course of 3–6 months may result in diarrhea, upset stomach, and dizziness.Nosebleeds from high doses of ganoderma have also been reported. Some herbalists claim that large doses of vitamin C taken with this herb will control the symptoms of diarrhea.

What is the medicinal mushroom Lingzhi used for?

General use

Ganoderma is considered one of the most important herbs in Asian healing. Its use extends to almost every system of the body. Not only is it believed to heal physical ailments, it is said to bring about a peaceful state of mind, and to increase spiritual potency energy for Taoists and other Asian spiritual seekers.

Ganoderma has been used in China for over 4,000 years. It is the primary shen tonic in Chinese herbalism. In a broad sense, it is used to help a person adapt both physically and mentally to the world. It is used to strengthen and calm the nerves, improve memory, and prevent or delay senility.

Herbalists consider ganoderma an adaptogen, or natural regulator, suppressing the immune system if it is overactive and boosting it if it is underactive. Many health claims are made on the effect that ganoderma has on the immune system. These claims are based primarily on the presence of high molecular weight polysaccharides and free radical antioxidants in ganoderma extracts. Ganoderma also contains the elements potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and germanium (Ge).

Ganoderma is used in Japan and China to treat cancer and to stimulate the immune system after radiation or chemotherapy. It is also used to treat myasthenia gravis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), both autoimmune diseases. In Japan and China, ganoderma is also used to treat symptoms of viral diseases such as colds, influenza, canker sores, andhepatitis.

Quite a few research studies on ganoderma extracts have been done at universities in Japan, China, and South Korea. Many of these are test-tube or animal studies. The results are not clear-cut, but they seem to indicate that at least in these non-human systems, ganoderma has an effect on the immune system, some anti-tumor properties, and some anti-viral activity. One group of researchers reported in 2002 that ganoderma appears to protect the liver from inflammation caused by infection.

More recent research in Asian universities has investigated the effects of ganoderma on human cells or tissues. A recent study done in Taiwan indicates that ganoderma inhibits apoptosis (cell self-destruction) in human white blood cells. This finding may help to explain ganoderma's beneficial effects on the immune system.

Ganoderma has recently attracted the attention of Western cancer researchers. A case study report from Columbia University indicates that a Japanese dietary supplement containing ganoderma as well as genistein, a soybean derivative, may be useful in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Ganoderma is also used in treating conditions of the nervous system. It is used to calm the nerves, cure insomnia, reduce stress, eliminate nervous exhaustion, and increase determination and focus. Laboratory studies show fairly conclusively that ganoderma does act as a sedative on cells of the central nervous system and possibly has painkilling and anti-convulsive properties.

Ganoderma is frequently used to treat allergies, hay fever, bronchialasthma, and to reduce skin inflammation. Laboratory studies support these uses and show that some components of ganoderma have a strong antihistaminic effect that interrupts the development of allergic reactions.

Many conditions of the blood and circulatory system are treated with ganoderma. These include:

• altitude sickness
• atherosclerosis
• cardiac arrhythmia
• coronary heart disease
• high blood pressure
• high blood sugar
• high cholesterol
• low blood pressure
• stroke

Scientific research shows that compounds found in ganoderma do lower blood sugar and also interfere with the clotting of blood platelets. This reduction in clotting may account for ganoderma's effectiveness against stroke and atherosclerosis.

Ganoderma is also used to treat a variety of other diseases. These uses are generally backed up by little or no scientific evidence. They include:

• gastroenteritis
• diarrhea
• constipation
• gallstones
• ulcer
• acne
• hair loss
• inflammation of the kidneys
• menstrual cramps
• erectile dysfunction
• low sex drive

What is Reishi Mushroom or Lingzhi ?

There are several sources defining Lingzhi mushroom, also called reishi:

Linghzi or Reishi Mushroom - Genoderma lucidum

The lingzhi mushroom or reishi mushroom  literally: "supernatural mushroom") encompasses several fungal species of the genus Ganoderma, and most commonly refers to the closely related species, Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae. G. lucidum enjoys special veneration in East Asia, where it has been used as amedicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used medicinally.  The fungus Ganoderma lucidum. It is also called the reishi mushroom or in Chinese ling zhi. It is one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms in China, Japan, and the United States.Ganoderma grows on logs or tree stumps. It has a shiny, hard, asymmetrical cap that ranges in color from yellow to black. The cap, spores, and mycelium are all used medicinally. Wild ganoderma is rare in Asia.

In ancient China, ganoderma was so rare and so highly prized that it was reserved for the emperors and called the "Elixir of Life." In 1972, Japanese researchers successfully cultivated the mushroom. There are six different colors of cap: red, green, white, black, yellow, and purple. These researchers showed that all colors are the same species, and that the color variations are the result of differences in environmental conditions. Despite this, some herbalists insist that certain colors of reishi mushroom are more potent or effective in healing certain conditions than others.

Lingzhi is a polypore mushroom that is soft (when fresh), corky, and flat, with a conspicuous red-varnished, kidney-shaped cap and, depending on specimen age, white to dull brown pores underneath. It lacks gills on its underside and releases its spores through fine pores, leading to its morphological classification as a polypore.

REISHI STUDY BY UK CANCER RESEARCH

REISHI STUDY BY UK CANCER RESEARCH

A major study of medicinal mushrooms by Cancer Research UK is the most comprehensive study ever undertaken and revealed a positive outcome for the use of medicinal mushrooms in cancer patients.

The popular and wide spread use of medicinal mushrooms in Asia left the researchers wondering why we are not making better use of them in the West. They note, “The huge world wide sales of such products, can testify to the beliefs of many, of their efficacy.”

The Cancer Research UK team were impressed by “the remarkable ability of many of these non toxic compatible compounds to reduce the debilitating effects of traditional chemo-therapeutic drugs.’

Mushrooms have been treasured as remedies for disease and as natural health supports for thousands of years and are an incredibly popular food in most countries. Actually, world trade in mushrooms is as big as the trade in coffee.

The Cancer Research UK report continues, “These compounds have been shown to be safe when taken over long periods of treatment and significantly, these compounds appear to reduce the adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. These results are in marked contrast to the well documented adverse side effects associated with most chemo therapeutic compounds and also to a lesser extent, certain immuno therapeutics.”

More remarkable still they found, “There are also many examples where the use of these compounds allows the reduction in dose level of the toxic chemo therapeutic compound without reduced efficacy.”

Recent studies in New Zealand show that a combination of Reishi had beneficial effects on the quality of life for some advanced cancer patients. Researchers believe that a mixture of the active ingredients from different mushrooms maximizes the immune response by providing multiple stimuli to the body’s natural defenses.

A fully functional immune response is critical to the recognition and elimination of tumor cells. The increased incidence of spontaneous tumors in immunosuppressed individuals indicates that the immune system provides a significant mechanism for resistance against cancer. Several major immune stimulating substances have been isolated from Reishi that have extraordinary effects on the maturation, differentiation and proliferation of many kinds of immune cells. Reishi is a proven potent activator of interferon, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), natural killer cells (NK), T lymphocytes, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL’s) and lymphokine activated killer cells (LAK). The spontaneous regression of some tumors is usually explained as a phenomenon of the individual’s own immune system attacking the tumor burden.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy invariably damage or weaken the patient’s immunological defenses which may also have been damaged by the cancer itself. Although responding favorably, cancer patients are in danger of opportunistic infections that can invade their systems because unfortunately the therapy designed to kill the pathogenic cells also kills their protective immune cells. Cancer Research UK confirm that the active compounds in Reishi cause a marked increase in the action of macrophages, thus there is a heightened response to foreign cells, whether bacteria, viruses or tumor cells. The study points out, ‘It was evident from clinical trials that Reishi extract significantly enhanced the immune systems of the elderly people taking it’.

Reishi has been rated the top medicinal herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 2000 years with Ginseng in second place and so highly treasured it was traded for its own weight in gold and only available to Emperors. It is still the most important herb in the Orient and the most thoroughly researched. The results of many hundreds of scientific and medical studies are supporting traditional health claims. It contains over 200 active ingredients and unique compounds that are the most biologically active obtainable from any plant source. In order to obtain maximum benefit Reishi is best taken as an extract because it is a very tough, woody mushroom and the raw biomass is very difficult to digest. Its dynamic antioxidant action and immune stimulating effects are why Reishi is so highly valued as a longevity herb and called ‘The Long Life Herb’, ‘The Great Protector’ and even ‘God’s Herb’.

Medicinal mushrooms have latent cancer preventative properties. Studies in Japan and Brazil strongly suggest that regular consumption over prolonged periods significantly reduce the levels of cancer incidence. Cancer Research UK also found increasing experimental evidence that medicinal mushrooms can have a cancer preventative effect, demonstrating both high anti-tumor activity and restriction of tumor metastasis. A 14-year survey in Japan revealed cancer rates of workers at medicinal mushroom farms were 1 in 1000 compared to 1 in 600 for the general population.