Nutrients
The reishi mushroom is high in polysaccharide content with at least 36 different compounds identified, including beta-d-glucan and GL-1. Triterpene constituents also have been analyzed. Triterpene antioxidants, including ganoderic acids A, B, C, and D; ganoderol A and B; lucidenic acid B, and ganodermanontriol have been found in reishi. Terpenoids 1, 2, and 3, and terpenes lucidenic acid O and lucidenic lactone are also present. A peptidoglycan from reishi contained approximately 7% protein and 76% carbohydrate. Certain enzymes from reishi have been reported, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Coumarins, ergosterol, and cerevisterol are also components of reishi.
Medicinal use and research
Lingzhi may possess
anti-tumor
,
immunomodulatory
and
immunotherapeutic
activities, supported by studies on
polysaccharides
,
terpenes
, and other
bioactive compounds
isolated from
fruiting bodies
and
mycelia
of this fungus. It has also been found to inhibit
platelet
aggregation, and to lower blood pressure (via inhibition of
angiotensin-converting enzyme
),
cholesterol
, and
blood sugar
.
Laboratory studies have shown
anti-neoplastic
effects of fungal extracts or isolated compounds against some types of
cancer
, including epithelial ovarian cancer.In an animal model, Ganoderma has been reported to prevent cancer metastasis, with potency comparable to Lentinan from
Shiitake
mushrooms.
G. lucidum extracts are already used in commercial pharmaceuticals such as
MC-S
for suppressing cancer cell proliferation and migration.Additional studies indicate that
ganoderic acid
can help to strengthen the liver against liver injury by viruses and other toxic agents in mice, suggesting a potential benefit of this compound in the prevention of
liver diseases
in humans,and Ganoderma-derived
sterols
inhibit
lanosterol 14α-demethylase
activity in the biosynthesis of
cholesterol
. Ganoderma compounds inhibit
5-alpha reductase
activity in the biosynthesis of
dihydrotestosterone
.
Besides effects on mammalian physiology, Ganoderma is reported to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral activities.Ganoderma is reported to exhibit direct anti-viral with the following viruses;
HSV-1
,
HSV-2
,
influenza virus
,
vesicular stomatitis
. Ganoderma mushrooms are reported to exhibit direct anti-
microbial
properties with the following organisms:
Aspergillus niger
,
Bacillus cereus
,
Candida albicans
, and
Escherichia coli
.
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