Reishi: benefits, dosage, contraindications

Anticancer

Reishi, a mushroom with anticancer properties, acts through its components, particularly polysaccharides and triterpenes. Among these, ganoderol B stands out for its specific action on androgen receptors and its inhibition of the enzyme 5α-reductase, playing a key role in combating prostate cancer. A specific type of polysaccharide, the polysaccharide fraction F3, has also been identified for its beneficial effects. This fraction stimulates the production of important cytokines like IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and colony-stimulating factors, thereby enhancing innate and adaptive immunity. In addition to inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, F3 improves the body's immune response, contributing to increased defense against cancer development.

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Immunomodulatory

Reishi influences immunity by reducing immune cell proliferation and enhancing their response. The LZ-8 component of reishi reduces immune response to antigens, while its extracts increase the number of T lymphocytes in humans. Its polysaccharides stimulate the production of important cytokines, thus strengthening the fight against cancer. Reishi's triterpenoids also have beneficial effects on immunity and can help combat tumors.

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Antioxidant

Several constituents are believed to be responsible for the antioxidant properties of the reishi mushroom. These include polysaccharides, polysaccharide-peptide complexes, triterpenoids, and polyphenols. Reishi mushroom peptides seem to be the most powerful antioxidant constituents.

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Hepatoprotective

An ether fraction of a reishi mushroom extract appears to inhibit beta-glucuronidase and protect against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage. The active constituent could be ganoderic acid A. In a cirrhotic animal model, polysaccharides isolated from reishi mushrooms decreased liver enzyme levels in the blood, suggesting hepatoprotective effects. However, hepatotoxic effects of reishi mushroom powder have been reported in two case reports.

Anti-aging

Reishi has been recognized as a medicinal mushroom for over 2000 years, and its powerful effects have been documented in ancient writings. In the supplement to the classic of materia medica (502-536 AD) and the Ben Cao Gang Mu by Li Shin-Zhen, which is considered the first Chinese pharmacopoeia (1590 AD; Ming dynasty), the mushroom was attributed therapeutic properties, such as tonic effects, enhancing vital energy, strengthening heart function, increasing memory, and having anti-aging effects.

Antiviral

Protease inhibitors and other anti-HIV substances have been found in reishi mushrooms. Indeed, some triterpenes of G. lucidum have been reported to have an inhibitory effect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 protease activity. In another study, a ganoderic acid isolated from G. lucidum showed inhibitory effects on the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV). These compounds have not been studied in humans with HIV/AIDS. On the other hand, protein-bound polysaccharides isolated from reishi inhibit herpes simplex viruses in laboratory research, possibly by preventing cell attachment and penetration. Triterpenoids, including lucidic and ganoderic acids, also inhibited Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction in vitro.

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Hypotensive

Constituents of reishi may affect blood pressure. In animal models, an aqueous extract of reishi mushroom appears to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is thought to decrease blood pressure by inhibiting sympathetic nervous activity. Another possible mechanism is the inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme by the terpenoids it contains. However, the antihypertensive effect of reishi mushroom in humans is inconsistent.

Hypoglycemic

Animal research indicates that reishi (G. lucidum) may lower blood glucose levels through substances like ganoderans A and B. These compounds significantly reduce glucose in both diabetic and non-diabetic mice, and this effect persists for 24 hours. They also increase insulin and adjust glucose metabolism in the liver. In humans, a study revealed that reishi polysaccharides reduce glycated hemoglobin and glucose levels, showing potential benefits for glucose regulation. However, these findings mostly come from animal studies, and further clinical research on humans is needed to confirm these effects.

Antibacterial

Recent studies have demonstrated that G. lucidum contained antibacterial constituents capable of inhibiting gram-positive and/or gram-negative bacteria. The aqueous extract of G. lucidum fruiting bodies inhibited 15 types of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Other studies indicate that antimicrobial combinations of G. lucidum extract with four antibiotics (ampicillin, cefazolin, oxytetracycline, and chloramphenicol) resulted in additive effects in most cases: synergy in two cases when combined with cefazolin against Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella oxytoca, and antagonism in two cases.