Reishi Mushroom

INTRODUCTION

Reishi mushroom is a fungus. The scientific name is Ganoderma lucidum. It is a medicinal mushroom. Also known as Ling-Zhi. It is primarily used in the traditional medical systems of Korea, China, Japan, and other Asian countries, promoting its health effects. Reishi mushroom is used as an immunostimulant by patients with AIDS and cancer. Extracts of Reishi were shown to have immunomodulatory, renoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. It has also been studied for its anticancer potential.

Reshi has chemopreventive and immunomodulatory effects, alleviates chemotherapy-induced Nausea, enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy, and increases the sensitivity of cells in ovarian cancer.

Reishi increased plasma antioxidant capacity, enhanced both immune and tumour response in cancer patients. The polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum trigger an antitumor mechanism in which the host immune system is altered to target the tumour cells. The active polysaccharides are primarily in the form of beta-glucans.

Ganoderma lucidum is a mushroom that grows on plum trees in Asia and is popular in Japan and is widely used by physicians and herbalists of Asia. This medicinal mushroom has been utilized in Asia for thousands of years to extend energy, stimulate the  system, and promote health and longevity.’

Reishi extract was also found to have toxic effects in leukocytes. Patients undergoing treatment for gastrointestinal cancer had higher levels of the serum tumour marker. Reishi mushrooms are used as an adjunct to chemotherapy to help boost the immune system.

Each capsule contained 600 mg extract of G. lucidum, with 25% (w/w) crude polysaccharides. The G. lucidum fruiting body has approximately 0.5% (w/ w) polysaccharides. A capsule of Ganopoly was equal to 30 g fruiting body of G. lucidum, or the total dose of Ganopoly per day (5400 mg) was equivalent to 270 g fruiting body. The standard amount of G. lucidum for folk use in China is 50300 g per day, depending on disease severity. As most herbs used for chronic diseases are administered for a minimum of 1–4 months

MECHANISM

Beta-glucans, polysaccharides present in Reishi, demonstrated antitumor and immunostimulating activities. Researchers also indicate that Reishi extract induces NK(natural killer) cell cytotoxicity to various cancer cell lines via activation of the natural cytotoxic receptors and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-signalling pathways result in exocytosis of perforin and granulysin. Reishi induced cell cycle arrest, activated caspase to induce apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells,

REISHI MUSHROOM IN CANCER

Reishi mushroom is used in different types of cancer therapies. Evidence has indicated that the immune function can be reduced or damaged in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy, resulting in decreased cytotoxic T lymphocyte and NK activity. Thus, the combination of chemotherapy or radiotherapy with immuno-modulating agents may provide a strategy for overcoming the immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy/radiotherapy.

Ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of G. lucidum downregulated transcripts of androgen and glucocorticoid receptors and androgen receptor protein in breast cancer.G. lucidum may reduce cancer-related fatigue improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving hormonal therapy. Following oral administration of G. lucidum extract for one month, the growth of large mammary tumours from MDA-MB-231 cells was reduced. Oil prepared from G. lucidum inhibited proliferation of the breast cancer cells in vitro and tumour growth.

Reishi Mushroom has been extensively reported as having important bioactive p. A methanolic extract of the G. lucidum fruiting body (obtained by extraction at room temperature) inhibited the growth of a human gastric tumour cell line through a mechanism that involved cellular autophagy. Other studies indicating that G. Lucidum enhanced the effectiveness of radiotherapy, reduced chemotherapy-induced Nausea and also increases the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells.

USES OF REISHI MUSHROOM

• Fatigue
• High cholesterol
• AIDS
• cancer treatment
• Hypertension
• Immunostimulation
• Inflammation
• Strength and stamina
• Viral infections
• Lower urinary tract symptoms

PRECAUTIONS WITH REISHI MUSHROOM