New Study Affirms Reishi Mushrooms' Impact on Liver Diseases

In the realm of hepatology and gastroenterology, Ganoderma lucidum, widely known as reishi or lingzhi, a medicinal mushroom native to China, has been making significant strides. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, reishi mushrooms, known as lingzhi, are revered as a symbol of longevity and wellness, embodying the ancient wisdom of natural healing.

Viewed as a powerful tonic capable of balancing the body’s energies and improving overall health, reishi stands out as a cornerstone herb, celebrated for its ability to strengthen the body’s vital energy and promote a harmonious balance of mind and spirit.

Hepatic fibrosis and liver injuries

Recent research, including a pivotal new study from a group of Chinese researchers has illuminated its remarkable hepatoprotective effects against liver fibrosis and hepatic injury. (1) The intricate relationship between this ancient Chinese remedy and modern pharmacology is getting clearer when it comes to mitigating liver diseases.

Hepatic fibrosis, a common consequence of chronic liver injury, often leads to cirrhosis and potentially hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer, if unchecked. This condition happens when too much collagen and other substances build up in the liver. It’s usually caused by things like oxidative stress, swelling, and an imbalance of certain proteins in the body called cytokines. Drinking too much alcohol and exposure to harmful chemicals like carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) can make this condition worse. (2)

Reishi’s protective effects on the liver

Reishi is rich in bioactive compounds like triterpenoids, polysaccharides, peptides, and ganoderic acid, known for their antioxidant properties. These compounds scavenge free radicals, attenuate oxidative stress, and thus reduce the toxicity that leads to liver damage.

Previous studies have shown that treatments with certain substances significantly improve liver health. This improvement is seen in blood tests, where the levels of liver enzymes like alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) - which are high when there’s liver damage - decrease. Similarly, there are positive changes in lipid profiles, the measurements of various fats in the blood, which is important because liver issues can disrupt how the body manages fats. These improvements have been observed in both live studies and controlled experiments. This research was published in January 2006. (3)

The newest study, released on December 26, 2023, demonstrated how G. lucidum extracts, especially when administered in a dietary supplement form, significantly reduced CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and hepatic fibrosis in animal models. The study underscored the role of G. lucidum in modulating key signaling pathways such as TGF-β and inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells, pivotal in the pathogenesis of fibrosis.

Apart from protecting the liver, Reishi mushrooms (G. lucidum) also show potential in reducing liver scarring and fighting tumors. They work by slowing down factors that cause growth and changing how certain genes behave, which helps reduce the build-up of collagen, a substance linked to liver scarring. Studies in food chemistry and nutrition journals, backed up by detailed tissue examinations, suggest that Reishi mushrooms could be really useful in treating various liver problems. (4)

Pharmacological insights and the future

The pharmacological characterization showed extraordinary potential in liver health management. The reduction in fat damage in the body, shown by lower levels of a harmful substance called malondialdehyde (MDA), and the increase of glutathione, a good substance that helps get rid of toxins, are really important for its ability to fight liver scarring.

Ganoderma lucidum, with its rich history in Chinese medicine, stands out in modern pharmacology as a potent agent against liver fibrosis and hepatic injury. Reishi mushrooms are great for liver health because they can adjust important cell receptors, stop cell death, and help liver cells grow back. This makes them a top choice for liver health foods and supplements. Ongoing research continues to unravel the complex interactions and liver-protective activity of this remarkable fungus, heralding a new era in the treatment and management of liver diseases.

References

1. Zhang J;Wang W;Cui X;Zhu P;Li S;Yuan S;Peng D;Peng C; “Ganoderma Lucidum Ethanol Extracts Ameliorate Hepatic Fibrosis and Promote the Communication between Metabolites and Gut Microbiota G_ruminococcus through the NF-ΚB and TGF-Β1/Smads Pathways.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Dec. 2023, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38154526/.
2. “Liver Cancer.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 28 Apr. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatocellular-carcinoma/cdc-20354552.
3. Lin, Wen-Chuan, and Wei-Lii Lin. “Ameliorative Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats.” World Journal of Gastroenterology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Jan. 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4066037/.
4. El Shawi, Omar E., et al. “Reishi Mushroom Attenuates Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis Induced by Irradiation Enhanced Carbon Tetrachloride in Rat Model - Journal of Biosciences and Medicines.” SCIRP, Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 1 Oct. 2015, www.scirp.org/journal/paperinforcitation?paperid=60188.