Ganoderma lucidum boosts immunity

Ganoderma lucidum (G. Lucidum), a medicinal mushroom, has been found to enhance the activity of immune cells, thereby improving overall immune function. G. Lucidum compounds such as triterpenoids, β-D-glucans, and Zhi-8 proteins act as immunomodulating agents, which promote the immunological effectors and induce the cytokines. The chemicals found in G. Lucidum have been observed to promote the growth and development of various types of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, splenic mononuclear cells, T and B lymphocytes, and dendritic cells. G. Lucidum polysaccharides promote the production of a histocompatibility complex in a melanoma cell line, improving antigen presentation and boosting viral immunity and cancer. G. lucidum extract stimulates the production of cytokines such as IL-2, IL-10, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-, and interferon. Extracts derived from G. lucidum spores affected and increased the number of macrophages and NK cells in mice and reduced the development of cancer. G. lucidum contains substances that decrease allergic reactions through their interactions with mast cells and B lymphocytes. G. lucidum may improve host immunological processes by boosting the percentages of CD3, CD4, and CD8 cells. A polysaccharide fraction was demonstrated to improve both acquired and inherent immunity by promoting the formation of cytokines IFN-, TNF-, IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, and colony-stimulating factors from mouse splenocytes. G. lucidum polysaccharides increase white blood cells and lymphocyte levels in the body. References Wang, S.Y., Hsu, M.L., Hsu, H.C., Lee, S.S., Shiao, M.S., Ho, C.K., 1997. The anti‐tumoreffect of Ganoderma lucidum is mediated by cytokines released from activated macrophages and T lymphocytes. Int. J. Cancer 70 (6), 699–705. Zhu, X., Lin, Z., 2006. Modulation of cytokines production, granzyme B and perforin in murine CIK cells by Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides. Carbohydr. Polym. 63 (2), 188–197. Sun, L.X., Lin, Z.B., Li, X.J., Li, M., Lu, J., Duan, X.S., Ge, Z.H., Song, Y.X., Xing, E.H., Li,W.D., 2011. Promoting effects of Ganodermalucidum polysaccharides on B16F10cells to activate lymphocytes. Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 108 (3), 149–154. Sanodiya, B.S., Thakur, G.S., Baghel, R.K., Prasad, G.B.K.S., Bisen, P.S., 2009. Ganoderma lucidum: a potent pharmacological macrofungus. Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 10 (8), 717–742 Song B-J, Zhu X-J, Wei L-N. Effect of Ganoderma lucidum spores on immune modulation and inhibiting tumor in mice. J Harbin Med Univ 2010; 44(5):464-466. 48. Calder PC. Immunonutrition. Br Med J 2003; 327:117. Jin X, Ruiz Beguerie J, Sze DM, Chan GC. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 5;4(4):CD007731. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007731.pub3. PMID: 27045603; PMCID: PMC6353236. Chen H. S, Tsai Y. F, Lin S, editors. et al. Studies on the immuno-modulating and anti-tumor activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) polysaccharides. Bioorg Med Chem. 2004;12:5595–601. Li, J., Gu, F., Cai, C., Hu, M., Fan, L., Hao, J., et al. (2020). Purification, structural characterization, and immunomodulatory activity of the polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 143, 806–813. doi:10.1016/j. ijbiomac.2019.09.141