Brief Introduction

Synonyms---Lingzhi Mushroom (Chinese: 灵芝), Ganodema lucidum Mushroom,Mannentake(Japanese: 万年茸)

Beta-Glucan

Chemical Name: Beta-Glucan, Beta-D-Glucan, Beta-(1,3)-D-Glucan
Molecular Formula: C18H30O14X2

Mol. Wt.: 470.42

Molecular Structure::

Triterpenes(Ganoderic acids)

Chemical Name: Triterpenes, Triterpene saponins, Ganoderic acid A( a compound isolated from the Reishi mushroom)

Cas No.:81907-62-2
Molecular Formula:C₃₀H₄₄O₇

Mol. Wt.: 516.67

Molecular Structure::

Reishi mushroom (Chinese: Língzhī,traditional Chinese: 靈芝; simplified Chinese: 灵芝; Japanese: reishi; Korean: yeongji) is the name for one form of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, and its close relative Ganoderma tsugae. Ganoderma lucidum enjoys special veneration in Asia, where it has been used as a medicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used in medicine.

The word lingzhi, in Chinese, means "herb of spiritual potency" and has also been described as "mushroom of immortality". Because of its presumed health benefits and apparent absence of side-effects, it has attained a reputation in the East as the ultimate herbal substance. Lingzhi is listed in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium.

Ganoderma lucidumproduces a group of triterpenes, called ganoderic acids, which have a molecular structure similar to steroid hormones. It also contains other compounds many of which are typically found in fungal materials, such as Maitake, Shitake, Agaricus blazei, Agaricus biporus, including polysaccharides such as beta-glucan, coumarin, mannitol, and alkaloids.

Ganoderic acidsare a class of closely related triterpenes found in Ganoderma mushrooms. For thousands of years, the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma fungi have been used in traditional medicines in East Asia. Consequently, there have been efforts to identify the chemical constituents that may be responsible for the putative pharmacological effects. There are dozens of ganoderic acids that have been isolated and characterized, of which ganoderic acid A and ganoderic acid B are the best characterized. Some ganoderic acids have been found to possess biological activities including hepatoprotection, anti-tumor effects, and 5-alpha reductase inhibition.

The Reishi Mushroom Extract used in dietary supplements is derived from the whole mushroom (the fruiting bodies of Ganodema fungi). The red Reishi Mushroom is better than the black Reishi Mushroom, and the former taste more bitter than the latter.

Benefits

Reishi Mushroomcontains a high concentration of beta-glucan and Granoderic acids (Triterpenes), compounds which has been shown to stimulate immune system and anti-tumor:

• Up-regulate the immune system (Immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic activities)

• Anti-cancer, anti-tumor, and anti-neoplastic effects

•Prevent cancer metastasis

•Anti-bacterial and anti-viral activities

• Beneficial effect on Lowering Blood Pressure(via inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme)

• Beneficial effect on Lowering Blood Sugar

• Beneficial effect on Lowering Cholesterol

• Protective effects against liver injury by viruses and other toxic agents

• Weight loss aid

Mechanism

Beta-glucan and the immune system

Beta-glucans are known as "biological response modifiers" because of their ability to activate the immune system. Immunologists at the University of Louisville, discovered that a receptor on the surface of innate immune cells called Complement Receptor 3 (CR3 or CD11b/CD18) is responsible for binding to beta-glucans, allowing the immune cells to recognize them as "non-self." However, it should be noted that the activity of beta-glucans is different from some pharmaceutical drugs which have the ability to over-stimulate the immune system. Pharmaceutical drugs have the potential to push the immune system to over-stimulation, and hence are contraindicated in individuals with autoimmune diseases, allergies, or yeast infections. Beta-glucans seem to make the immune system work better without becoming overactive. In addition to enhancing the activity of the immune system, beta-glucans also reportedly lower elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, aid in wound healing, help prevent infections, and have potential as an adjuvant in the treatment of cancer.

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. In an animal model, Ganoderma has been reported to prevent cancer metastasis, with potency comparable to Lentinan from Shiitake mushrooms.

The mechanisms by which G. lucidum may affect cancer are unknown and they may target different stages of cancer development: inhibition of angiogenesis (formation of new, tumor-induced blood vessels, created to supply nutrients to the tumor) mediated by cytokines, cytoxicity, inhibiting migration of the cancer cells and metastasis, and inducing and enhancing apoptosis of tumor cells.

Additional studies indicate that ganoderic acid has some protective effects against liver injury by viruses and other toxic agents in mice, suggesting a potential benefit of this compound in the treatment of liver diseases in humans, and Ganderma-produced sterols inhibit lanosterol 14α-demethylase activity in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Ganderma 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.

Some oriental preparations containing Lingzhi extract are marketed as a weight loss aid. They are advertised as a "slimming formula" in Japanese markets and Lingzi is combined with other herbal extracts. Research is scarce to show the validity of these claims in terms of Lingzhi as a weight loss aid.

Safety

Reishi Mushroom Extract is safe. No side and harmful effect have been found.

Dosage

•  The typical dose is 500-1500mg per day (usually in 2-3 doses throughout the day).
•  Consult physicians for different condition specifics.

GNI’s Reishi Mushroom Extract Features and Benefits:

Reishi Mushroom Extract is one of GNI's most competitive products, with many advantages as list in the following, produced as our patent-pending process and know-how technology from Ganodema lucidum Mushroom

•  Produced with pure water only

•  High purity: over 30%(Polysaccharides as Beta-glucan and 4% Treiterpenes

•  NO solvent - residual free

•  Pesticide-free

•  Crystal yellow-Brown in appearance

•  High solubility in water

•  High anti-bacteria, and longer shelf life