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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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