Cancer
Anticancer effects of reishi have been reported largely from in vivo
experiments, and data from clinical trials have been published. It is
generally accepted that the anticancer effects are due to immune
enhancement and may be exhibited from diverse chemical constituents in reishi.Experiments focused on the stimulatory effects of the higher molecular
weight polysaccharides (eg, ganopoly, beta-d-glucan, GL-1) on the immune
system, and the suppressive effect of the triterpenes (eg, ganoderic acid) on the growth and invasive behavior of cancer cells.An ethanol soluble compound ganoderol B binds to androgen receptors and
inhibits the sterol enzyme 5-alpha-reductase in experiments in rats.Clinical data
Clinical trials have been conducted in patients with advanced cancer. Not all published trials are randomized and blinded. Ganopoly in doses up to 5.4 g daily (equivalent to 81 g of the fruiting body) for 12 weeks were used. Increased cellular immunity indices were reported in 80% of cancer patients in one trial. Quality of life improved in 65% of patients in another trial. In a further trial, varying results were obtained. It was proposed that ganopoly could reverse the immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
In a case report of the effect of lingzhi on gastric large B-cell lymphoma, the patient consumed 3 times the recommended dose for 5 days (60 capsules daily). Histological changes were recorded 11 days later, showing only a dense infiltrate of T lymphocytes remaining.
Cardiovascular effects
The effect of reishi on the cardiovascular system has been investigated. Decreases in high blood pressure were reported to be attributed to the ganoderic acids.Angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibiting triterpenes from reishi have been described. Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, enhanced antioxidase activity, decreased platelet aggregation, and reduced lipid peroxidation have been demonstrated in animal and in vitro experiments.
Diabetes
In animal experiments, ganopoly affected carbohydrate metabolism and promoted insulin secretion. In a clinical trial of patients with type 2 diabetes, ganopoly 1,800 mg 3 times daily reduced postprandial glucose values. The glucans ganoderan A and B (glucans) inhibited hypoglycemia in clinical studies.
Hepatitis
In in vitro and in vivo animal experiments, hepatoprotection by extracts of ganoderma against induced liver damage has been demonstrated. Polysaccharide ganopoly therapy for 6 months resulted in normalization of aminotransferase levels in 33% and cleared serum hepatitis B surface antigen in 13% of trial participants compared with control.