REISHI mushroom
reishi research reishi mushroom extract
Reishi is a herbal medicine commonly used in
oriental countries as a remedy for treating various medical conditions.
The dried powder of reishi was popular as a
cancer chemotherapy agent in ancient
China.
Reishi compounds
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) contains polysaccharides that stimulate
spleen cell proliferation and cytokine expression. Reishi
also contains lanostanoids and triterpenes such as lucidenic acid.
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Reishi and viruses
Reishi has compounds that may have antiviral activity, including activity
against the Epstein-Barr virus.
Reishi and immune function
Oral administration of reishi results in Th1-associated
immuno-potentiating activities in vivo.
Additional benefits of Reishi
Animal studies indicate reishi has the ability to lower cholesterol levels.
Reishi toxicity
Giving reishi to human volunteers for a period of 4 weeks did not lead to any
toxicity.
Reishi Research Update
Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human
prostate cancer cells PC-3.
Jiang J,. Methodist Research Institute, E504, Indianapolis, IN
.
Int J Oncol. 2004 May;24(5):1093-9.
Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), an oriental medical mushroom, has been widely used
in Asian countries for centuries to prevent or treat different diseases,
including cancer. However, the mechanism(s) responsible for the effects of
reishi on cancer cells remain to be elucidated. We have previously demonstrated
that reishi down-regulated the expression of NF-kappaB-regulated urokinase
plasminogen activator (uPA) and uPA receptor (uPAR), which resulted in
suppression of cell migration of highly invasive human breast and prostate
cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of reishi on cell
proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells PC-3.
Our data demonstrate that reishi inhibits cell proliferation in a dose-
and time-dependent manner by the down-regulation of expression of cyclin B and
Cdc2 and by the up-regulation of p21 expression. The inhibition of cell growth
was also demonstrated by cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Furthermore, reishi
induced apoptosis of PC-3 cells with a slight decrease in the expression of NF-kappaB-regulated
Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. However, the expression of proapoptotic Bax protein was
markedly up-regulated, resulting in the enhancement of the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2
and Bax/Bcl-xl. Thus, reishi exerts its effect on cancer cells by multiple
mechanisms and may have potential therapeutic use for the prevention and
treatment of cancer.
Reishi supplement emails
Q. I received three bottles of reishi mushroom this week. There is 100 mg
of Calcium with 920 mg of reishi mushroom. How does calcium work with
reishi? If Calcium is abundant in the blood stream and already there is
formation of plaque by cholesterol and fatty acid, fit is very likely
calcium will adhere to the sticky cholesterol. repeating its process over
and over until the artery is totally blocked. I am 62 years old female. In
the last month I discover that I
am pre-hypertensive and sensitive to salt intake. Would reishi with
calcium affect my condition negatively? I know the benefit or reishi and I
have taken them on and off (brew in the Chinese way). Shells are added to
the pot of reishi plus
other herbs, I believe the shells contain calcium. How long does one need
to take reishi?
A. Planetary Formulas routinely adds calcium to some of their
capsules or tablets for a number of herbs as part of the production
process. We don't think calcium has any significant influence on the
function of reishi mushroom supplement. Only when calcium ingestion
through supplements reaches more than 600 to 800 mg daily for many years
should one be concerned with any possibility of plaque formation. We don't
know how reishi with calcium influences blood pressure. Reishi is taken as
needed. The length of time or dosage depends on the medical reasons one is
taking and that is up to you and your health care provider. It is a good
idea to take breaks from use of herbs and mushrooms but we can't be any
more specific since each person is different.
Q. Is the Reishi by Planetary Formulas same as
ReishiMax?
A. The reishi by Planetary Formulas is a different brand than
ReishiMax made by Pharmanex. There have not been any studies comparing the
two brands therefore it is not possible to say whether one reishi brand is
better or worse than the other brand.
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