Reishi Mushroom
Healthcare Professional
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Consumer
How It Works
Purported Uses
Research Evidence
Warnings
Do Not Take If
Side Effects
Scientific Name
Common Name
Clinical Summary
Purported uses
Constituents
Mechanism of Action
Adverse Reactions
Herb-Drug Interactions
Lab Interactions
Literature Summary and
Critique
References
TOPTOPTOPTOPTOPTOPScientific
Name
Ganoderma lucidum
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Common Name
Ling zhi, ling chi, lin zi, mushroom of immortality
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Clinical Summary
Derived from the cap and stem of the mushroom, Reishi mushroom is used as an
immune stimulant by patients with HIV or cancer. The active constituents are
thought to include both beta-glucan polysaccharides and triterpenes (1). Extracts
of Reishi can stimulate macrophages and alter the levels of TNF and interleukins
(2) (3) (4) (5)
. Reishi also inhibited platelet aggregation (11) (12) and improved lower
urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men (9) (10).
Studies done in rats have shown that Reishi extract may alleviate chemotherapyinduced nausea (13). In clinical studies, Reishi increased plasma antioxidant
capacity (6) (7)and enhanced immune responses in advance-stage cancer patients
(8)
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Adverse events reported include dry nose and throat, nausea, vomiting and other
GI symptoms. Also, in vitro studies suggest that high doses may induce cellular
toxicity (14). Theoretically, Reishi can interfere with the actions of
immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, and certain chemotherapeutic agents.
Furthermore, Reishi polysaccharides inhibit CYP2E1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A,
potentially interfering with the metabolism of drugs that use these pathways (15).
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Purported uses
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Fatigue
High cholesterol
HIV and AIDS
Hypertension
Immunostimulation
Inflammation
Strength and stamina
Viral infections
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Constituents
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Polysaccharides: Beta-D-glucan
Sterols: Ergosterol
Fungal lysozyme
Proteinase Triterpenes: Ganoderic acids
Lipids
Alkaloids
Glucosides
Coumarins
Volatile oil
Other constituents: Riboflavin, ascorbic acid, and amino acids
(1)
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Mechanism of Action
The triterpenes and polysaccharides seem to have the most biological activity.
The triterpenes are reported to have adaptogenic and antihypertensive, as well as
anti-allergic effects. In addition, they may inhibit tumor invasion by reducing
matrix metalloproteinase expression (16) and tumor metastases by limiting
attachment to endothelial cells (17). A number of its polysaccharides, such as beta
glucans, have demonstrated antitumor and immunostimulating activities (18).
Reishi beta glucans can induce the maturation of normal and leukemic monocytes
into dendritic cells (19). The adenosine in Reishi is thought to be responsible for
the inhibition of platelet aggregation (11). Extracts of Reishi have demonstrated
the ability to stimulate macrophages and to alter the levels of TNF and
interleukins (2) (3) (4) (5). Reishi can increase plasma antioxidant capacity (6) (7) and
has been shown to enhance immune response in advance-stage cancer
patients(8). Furthermore, Reishi extracts can inhibit 5á-reductase, an important
enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone and is upregulated in
benign prostatic hyperplasia (9).
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Adverse Reactions
Reported: Dry throat and nose, GI upset, itchiness, nausea, vomiting
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Herb-Drug Interactions
Anticoagulant / Antiplatelets: Reishi may increase the risk of bleeding (12).
Antihypertensives: Reishi may cause additive hypotensive effects.
Immunosuppressants: Reishi can enhance the immune responses (8).
Chemotherapeutic Agents: Reishi can increase plasma antioxidant capacity,
and in theory, it can interact with chemotherapeutic agents that rely on free
radicals (6).
Reishi polysaccharides inhibit CYP2E1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A, potentially interfering
with the metabolism of drugs that use these pathways (15).
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Lab Interactions
May prolong INR, PT, and APTT
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(12)
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Literature Summary and Critique
Gao Y, et al. Effects of Ganopoly ( Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Extract) on
the Immune Functions in Advanced-Stage Cancer Patients. Immunol Invest
2003;32(3): 201-15.
Thirty-four patients with advanced-stage cancer of various tissues were given
1800 mg of oral Ganopoly three times daily before meals for 12 weeks.
Cytokines, T-cell subsets, and natural killer activity were measured to assess the
effects of Ganopoly. Researchers found a significant increase in T-cell populations
and NK activity at the 12-week period compared to baseline although the
mechanism is unclear. More studies are needed to confirm these observations.
Noguchi M, et al. Randomized clinical trial of an ethanol extract of Ganoderma
lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Asian J Androl. Sep
2008;10(5):777-785.
Because G. lucidum extracts have shown variable 5á-reductase inhibition, 88 men
with slight-to-moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were given the G.
lucidum extract (6 mg daily) that maximally inhibited 5á-reductase or placebo for
12 weeks. Improvements in LUTS as assessed by the International Prostate
Symptom Score (IPSS) and urine flow variables were determined. In addition,
prostate volume, residual urinary volume after voiding, and adverse effects were
also measured. Participants who received the G. lucidum extract had improved
IPSS as compared to the placebo group. In addition, no severe adverse effects
were reported. Larger, long-term studies are required to determine if G. lucidum
extracts could further improve LUTS as well as urinary flow in men with more
severe LUTS.
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References
1. Huang K. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press;
1999.
2. Chen HS, Tsai YF, Lin S, et al. Studies on the immuno-modulating and antitumor activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) polysaccharides. Bioorg Med
Chem. Nov 1 2004;12(21):5595-5601.
3. Gao Y, Zhou S, Wen J, et al. Mechanism of the antiulcerogenic effect of
Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on indomethacin-induced lesions in the rat.
Life Sci. Dec 27 2002;72(6):731-745.
4. Hsu MJ, Lee SS, Lin WW. Polysaccharide purified from Ganoderma lucidum
inhibits spontaneous and Fas-mediated apoptosis in human neutrophils through
activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt signaling pathway. J Leukoc
Biol. Jul 2002;72(1):207-216.
5. Wang SY, Hsu ML, Hsu HC, et al. The anti-tumor effect of Ganoderma lucidum
is mediated by cytokines released from activated macrophages and T
lymphocytes. Int J Cancer. Mar 17 1997;70(6):699-705.
6. Wachtel-Galor S, Szeto YT, Tomlinson B, et al. Ganoderma lucidum ('Lingzhi');
acute and short-term biomarker response to supplementation. Int J Food Sci
Nutr. Feb 2004;55(1):75-83.
7. Wachtel-Galor S, Tomlinson B, Benzie IF. Ganoderma lucidum ("Lingzhi"), a
Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human
supplementation study. Br J Nutr. Feb 2004;91(2):263-269.
8. Gao Y, Zhou S, Jiang W, et al. Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum
polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer
patients. Immunol Invest. Aug 2003;32(3):201-215.
9. Noguchi M, Kakuma T, Tomiyasu K, et al. Randomized clinical trial of an
ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.
Asian J Androl. Sep 2008;10(5):777-785.
10. Noguchi M, Kakuma T, Tomiyasu K, et al. Effect of an extract of Ganoderma
lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a double-blind, placebocontrolled randomized and dose-ranging study. Asian J Androl. Jul
2008;10(4):651-658.
11. Hobbs C. Medicinal Mushrooms. 3rd ed. Loveland (OR): Interweave Press;
1996.
12. Tao J, Feng KY. Experimental and clinical studies on inhibitory effect of
ganoderma lucidum on platelet aggregation. J Tongji Med Univ. 1990;10(4):240243.
13. Wang CZ, Basila D, Aung HH, et al. Effects of ganoderma lucidum extract on
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in a rat model. Am J Chin Med.
2005;33(5):807-815.
14. Gill SK, Rieder MJ. Toxicity of a traditional Chinese medicine, Ganoderma
lucidum, in children with cancer. Can J Clin Pharmacol. Summer
2008;15(2):e275-285.
15. Wang X, Zhao X, Li D, et al. Effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide on
CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A activities in BCG-immune hepatic injury in rats. Biol
Pharm Bull. Sep 2007;30(9):1702-1706.
16. Chen NH, Liu JW, Zhong JJ. Ganoderic Acid me inhibits tumor invasion
through down-regulating matrix metalloproteinases 2/9 gene expression. J
Pharmacol Sci. Oct 2008;108(2):212-216.
17. Li YB, Wang R, Wu HL, et al. Serum amyloid A mediates the inhibitory effect
of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on tumor cell adhesion to endothelial
cells. Oncol Rep. Sep 2008;20(3):549-556.
18. Mao T, van De Water J, Keen CL, et al. Two mushrooms, Grifola frondosa and
Ganoderma lucidum, can stimulate cytokine gene expression and proliferation in
human T lymphocytes. Int J Immunother 1999;15(1):13-22.
19. Chan WK, Cheung CC, Law HK, et al. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides can
induce human monocytic leukemia cells into dendritic cells with immunostimulatory function. J Hematol Oncol. 2008;1(1):9.
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Last Updated: Nov. 17, 2008