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The Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum in Overweight Individuals: A Randomized Placebo-controlled trial

Authors:

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are growing interests in the use of medicinal mushrooms in controlling overweight and obesity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of Lingzhi on anthropometric indices, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile and blood pressure of overweight individuals METHODS: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was performed on seventy-two overweight individuals (Body Mass Index (BMI) = 25–29.9 kg/m2) received 3 capsule Ganoderma Lucidum (each capsule containing 220 mg of whole powder and 30 mg of pure aqueous extract) daily or matching placebo for 6 weeks. Anthropometric indices, metabolic tests (fasting blood sugar (FBS) and serum lipid profile) and blood pressure were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: Data analyses indicated that body weight and BMI were decreased after 6-week intervention (P < 0.05). The beneficial effect of supplementation was evident on some anthropometric indices. Changes in LDL-cholesterol were significantly different between two treatment and placebo groups (P < 0.05). FBS, other components of lipid profile and blood pressure did not significantly change by Lingzi treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that Ganoderma Lucidum might have some potential benefits on anthropometric indices and mild effects on lipid profile, but and there is no claim for weight lose function. Hence, further long-term studies are recommended.
Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism xx (2022) x–xx
DOI:10.3233/MNM-211533
IOS Press
1
The Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum in
Overweight Individuals: A Randomized
Placebo-controlled trial
Shilan Babamiria, Mansooreh Sadat Mojani Qomib,c,and Maryam Shiehmortezaa
aDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University,
Tehran, Iran
bDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad
University, Tehran, Iran
cNutrition and Food Sciences Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Received 5 August 2021
Accepted 31 January 2022
Pre-press 16 February 2022
Abstract.
BACKGROUND: There are growing interests in the use of medicinal mushrooms in controlling overweight and obesity.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of Lingzhi on anthropometric indices, fasting blood
sugar, lipid profile and blood pressure of overweight individuals
METHODS: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was performed on seventy-two overweight individuals (Body Mass
Index (BMI) = 25–29.9 kg/m2) received 3 capsule Ganoderma Lucidum (each capsule containing 220 mg of whole powder
and 30 mg of pure aqueous extract) daily or matching placebo for 6 weeks. Anthropometric indices, metabolic tests (fasting
blood sugar (FBS) and serum lipid profile) and blood pressure were measured before and after treatment.
RESULTS: Data analyses indicated that body weight and BMI were decreased after 6-week intervention (P< 0.05). The
beneficial effect of supplementation was evident on some anthropometric indices. Changes in LDL-cholesterol were signif-
icantly different between two treatment and placebo groups (P< 0.05). FBS, other components of lipid profile and blood
pressure did not significantly change by Lingzi treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that Ganoderma Lucidum might have some potential benefits on anthropometric indices
and mild effects on lipid profile, but and there is no claim for weight lose function. Hence, further long-term studies are
recommended.
Keywords: Ganoderma Lucidum, overweight, anthropometric indices, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, blood pressure
1. Introduction
Overweight and obesity are risk factors for an expanding set of chronic diseases [1] and cause serious health
outcomes [2]. High BMI accounted for 4.0 million deaths globally, nearly 40% of which occurred in persons who
were not obese [3]. Consumption of mushrooms due to their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects seems to
be effective in the treatment of overweight, obesity and related comorbidities, and could be a good alternative for
Corresponding author: Mansooreh Sadat Mojani Qomi, Assistant Professor, Yakhchal St., Gholhak, Dr. Shariati Ave., Tehran, Iran. Tel.:
+982122640051 5; Mobile Phone: +989122170467; E-mail: mansooreh.moujani@gmail.com.
ISSN 1973-798X/$35.00 © 2022 – IOS Press. All rights reserved.
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2S. Babamiri et al. / The Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum in Overweight Individuals
medicinal applications [4]. Lingzhi or Ganoderma lucidum is a popular mushroom, which is widely used for its
health benefits in China and many other Asian countries [5]. It comprises more than 400 different biologically and
pharmacologically active compounds which have been suggested to control various diseases [6]. Some previous
animal studies revealed that it has anti-obesity potential due to modulating gut microbiota [7] and reducing the
accumulation of visceral fat [8]. Lee et al. (2020) highlighted the potential benefit of G. lucidum extract powder
in prevention of obesity and insulin resistance in a mouse model; administration of G. lucidum controlled body
weight gain, improved glucose metabolism, reduced lipid accumulation in the liver, and reduced adipocyte size
adipose [9].
Contrary to the extensive literature on the effects of this valuable mushroom on obesity and metabolic diseases
in animals, there is not much evidence of the effect of G. lucidum in humans. Moreover, only a few [10, 11], but
not all clinical trials supported the protective effect of G. lucidum on obesity-related risk factors; Klupp et al.,
(2016) indicated that there were no benefits of use of G. lucidum for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in
people with diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome [12].
Due to growing publicity on G. lucidum supplements in relation to weight loss and other metabolic health
benefits, and lack of available clinical evidence in this regard, current work was undertaken to test whether
supplementation had beneficial effects on anthropometric indices and metabolic parameters including fasting
blood sugar, lipid profile and blood pressure in overweight individuals.
2. Subjects and methods
2.1. Subjects
A total of sixty-nine overweight people (male = 18 and female= 51) were selected from the outpatient clinic
of Salahuddin Hospital, Baneh Province, Kermanshah. Individuals with baseline body mass index (BMI) of
25–29.9 kg/m2 were selected. Participants taking medications that may interact with G. lucidum (such as warfarin
or aspirin) or subjects with any disease interfering with weight loss were not included in this study. The presence
of people with diabetes and hypertension, pregnant and lactating women, and the use of any weight-loss or fat-
blocking drugs were the exclusion criteria. Subjects who had any viral infections during the Covid-19 pandemic
were also excluded. Participants were asked to complete a written informed consent form before taking the
supplement, and were asked not to change their diet and physical activity during the study.
2.2. Study design and supplementation
This was a randomized and double-blind study for a 6-week period (42 consecutive days). Capsules of
G. lucidum were provided by Kei Daroo Health Technology Company (Tehran, Iran) which was approved
by Iranian Food and Drug Administration. Each capsule contained 220 mg of whole powder and 30 mg of pure
aqueous extract of G. lucidum. Each participant had to consume 3 capsules (after meal) daily. The placebo,
containing 250 mg of wheat flour, were prepared with the support of the pharmaceutical company and given to
the placebo group.
2.3. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests and blood pressure
Anthropometric indices were evaluated at baseline and at the final day of supplementation according World
Health Organization [13] manual of collecting physical measurements [13]. Height and weight were measured
by a trained researcher using pre-calibrated equipment; including a digital scale (Seca-813) to the nearest 0.1 kg
for weight and a stadiometer (Seca Model 217) to the nearest 0.1 cm for height. Body mass index (BMI) was
calculated with specific formula of weight (kg)/height (m2). Waist and hip circumferences (WC & HC) (cm) and
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S. Babamiri et al. / The Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum in Overweight Individuals 3
mid-arm circumference (MUAC) (cm) were measured using non-stretchable measuring tape near to 0.1 cm in
accordance with the standard recommendations. WHR was then calculated by dividing WC (cm) by HC (cm).
All measurements were collected twice.
Fasting intravenous blood samples were collected using scalp vein by a lab technician while sitting on a
chair. Fasting blood sugar Plasma glucose was measured using a standard glucose oxidase method (Diagnostic
Chemicals Limited, Prince Edward, Canada), and lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL- c, HDL-c and triglyceride)
were measured with direct enzymatic assay.
At the beginning and end of the study period, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured using a
mercury sphygmomanometer (Critikon Dinamap; GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Louisville,
KY, USA) from the right arm, after 5 minutes of rest, in a sitting position and with an accuracy of 5 mmHg.
Diastolic blood pressure was measured using the fifth korotkoff sound.
2.4. Physical activity assessment
The level of physical activity of individuals once were assessed by Persian translated version of the short
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); the validity has already been reviewed and confirmed for
the Iranian community [14]. The obtained data were calculated and presented as MET-min/week for all physical
activity levels [15].
2.5. Statistical analysis
The data was analyzed using SPSS (version 25; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The normality of the data
was first assessed by Kolmogorov-Smirnoff test. An Independent-sample t-test was performed to analyze the
differences between placebo and treatment groups for both post treatment data and changes of various parameters
(subtracting the baseline values by the end of 42-day values). Data are expressed as mean values and their standard
error (S.E.M). The level of significance was less than 0.05.
3. Results
3.1. Baseline characteristics and history
From seventy-three eligible subjects enrolled in the study, four subjects had impaired fasting glucose or
lipid profile abnormalities in their first blood tests, and were excluded from the study (Fig. 1). Seventy-
two subjects were allocating in placebo and ganoderma lucidum treatment groups with randomization. One
subject from placebo group got infected to Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and another two persons did
not continue for personal reasons. The demographic details, baseline data, presence of illnesses and med-
ication use of all participants by group are demonstrated in Table 1. Of the 69 participants, 11 adults
took daily supplements including calcium, vitamin D3 and multivitamins, and 7 subjects took sedatives.
The dependent variables based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test had a normal distribution, so all tests
performed to compare the means were based on normal data. Independent sample t-test did not show
any significant differences in anthropometric indices and biochemical tests between the two group at the
baseline.
3.2. Treatment efficacy
The final data and changes of anthropometric parameters, biochemical tests and blood pressure are shown
in Table 2 and 3, respectively. Also, the parameters that were significantly different from the baseline on
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Fig. 1. Consort diagram of the study participants.
day 42 are shown in Table 2. Hence, body weight and BMI showed a statistically significant decrease com-
pared to baseline in the treatment group (P< 0.01), while despite to slight increment of these two parameters
in placebo group, there was no significant differences compared to the first day. Comparison of weight and
BMI changes between the two groups did not show a significant difference for weight parameter, but BMI
change was statistically different (P< 0.05). Similarly, the mean HC in the treatment group decreased after
42 days (P= 0.02), while in the control group there was no significant difference compared to the base-
line test. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of HC changes (P< 0.05). G.
lucidum supplementation had no significant effect in WC, but WC in the placebo group increased signifi-
cantly (P= 0.01). Although intervention with G. lucidum caused no significant decrease in MAUC compared
to baseline, but the difference of MAUC change was significant between the two groups (P< 0.05). In gen-
eral, G. lucidum can have only minor changes in some anthropometric parameters including BMI, HC and
MAUC.
In biochemical experiments, no significant changes were observed during the intervention. Except for total
serum cholesterol, the difference between the two groups was significant (P< 0.05). Treatment with G. lucidum
had no significant effect on systolic and diastolic BP.
3.3. Adverse effect evaluation
Both capsules of G. lucidum and placebo were well tolerated by the subjects. No side effects were reported
within 6 weeks of supplementation, nor one month after the end of the study.
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Table 1
Baseline data of the eligible participants in the study (n= 72)
Groups Test value (Treatment
All subjects Treatment Placebo vs. Placebo)
n693633
% 100 52.17 47.82
Male 18 10 8
Female 51 26 25
Age (years) 39.77 ±1.26 37.25 42.52 ±1.85 –2.15a
Height (m) 168.07 ±1.01 169.28 ±1.56 166.76 ±1.24 1.25
Weight (kg) 75.21 ±1.40 77.63 ±2.31 72.56 ±2.31 1.84
BMI (kg/m2) 26.92 ±0.13 26.99 ±0.17 26.84 ±0.20 0.58
WC (cm) 91.05±0.77 91.06 ±1.16 91.04 ±1.02 0.01
HC (cm) 113.15 ±0.56 113.45±0.75 112.82 ±0.84 0.56
WHR 0.80 ±0.04 0.80 ±0.00 0.81 ±0.00 –0.50
WHR status
Normal 45 (65.20) 25 (69.40) 20 (60.60)
Abdominal 24 (34.80) 11 (30.60) 13 (39.40)
obesity – –
MAUC (cm) 34.69 ±0.25 34.73 ±0.38 34.65 ±0.31 0.16
FBS (mg/dl) 86.43 ±0.75 86.39 ±1.10 86.48 ±1.03 –0.06
Total cholesterol (mg/dl) 151.43 ±3.01 149.33 ±3.71 153.73 ±4.84 –0.73
LDL-c (mg/dl) 82.80 ±2.45 84.28 ±3.31 81.18 ±3.67 0.63
HDL-c (mg/dl) 41.04 ±0.75 39.72 ±0.76 42.48 ±1.31 –1.83
TG (mg/dl) 122.33 ±4.46 125.83 ±6.58 118.52 ±6.01 0.82
Systolic BP (mmHg) 129.57 ±0.81 129.14 ±1.18 130.03 ±1.11 –0.55
Diastolic BP (mmHg) 72.49 ±0.74 72.61 ±1.02 72.36 ±1.09 0.17
PA (MET) 810.23 ±75.45 944.33 ±84.46 663.93 ±124.50 –
Low active 37 (53.70) 13 (36.10) 24 (72.70)
Moderately active 25 (36.20) 19 (52.80) 6 (18.20)
Highly active 7 (10.10) 4 (11.10) 3 (9.10)
Cigarette smoking
Yes 11 6 5
No 58 30 28
Night sleep (hour) 7.17 ±0.08 7.18±0.11 7.17 ±0.11 0.09
Daytime naps (hour) 0.69 ±0.04 0.74 ±0.06 0.64 ±0.07 1.10
Medical history
Other illnesses
Yes 5 (7.20) 2 (5.50) 3 (9.00)
No 64 (92.80) 34 (94.50) 30 (91.00)
Other medicine intake
Yes 18 (26.10) 7 (19.40) 11 (33.30)
No 51 (73.90) 29 (81.60) 22 (66.70)
BMI: body mass index, WC: waist circumference, HC: hip circumference, WHR: waist hip ratio, MAUC: mid-
upper arm circumference, LDL-c & HDL-c: LDL- & HDL-cholesterol, TG: triglyceride, BP: blood pressure,
PA: physical activity. Numerical data were presented as mean±S.E.M. Categorical data are presented as number
(%). *Other illnesses or medications were not included in the exclusion criteria. Independent samples Ttest were
recruited to compare means between continuous variables (aP<0.05).
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Table 2
Comparison the data of anthropometric parameters, biochemical tests and blood
pressure at the end of the treatment between two groups
Groups Test
Treatment Placebo value
Weight (kg) 77.13 ±1.62sg 75.33 ±1.12 0.90
BMI (kg/m2) 26.79 ±0.19sg 27.19 ±0.24 –1.29
WC (cm) 91.14 ±1.15 91.62 ±1.01sg –0.31
HC (cm) 113.32 ±0.77sg 113.00 ±0.88 0.28
WHR 0.80 ±0.01 0.81 ±0.00sg –0.52
MAUC (cm) 34.68 ±0.38 34.81 ±0.32 –0.26
FBS (mg/dl) 86.31 ±1.14 86.91 ±1.19 –0.36
Total cholesterol (mg/dl) 143.17 ±5.35 157.39 ±5.09 –1.92
LDL-c (mg/dl) 84.00 ±3.31 82.30 ±3.76 0.34
HDL-c (mg/dl) 43.97 ±2.99 42.70 ±1.31 0.38
TG (mg/dl) 124.22 ±6.46 119.30 ±6.15 0.55
Systolic BP (mmHg) 128.47±0.88 128.82 ±1.00 0.26
Diastolic BP (mmHg) 72.00 ±0.83 71.73 ±1.06 0.20
BMI: body mass index, WC: waist circumference, HC: hip circumference, WHR: waist hip
ratio, MAUC: mid-upper arm circumference, LDL-c & HDL-c: LDL- & HDL-cholesterol, TG:
triglyceride, BP: blood pressure. Data are presented as mean ±S.E.M. sgThe end-point data
were significantly different compared with the baseline by paired sample Ttest.
Table 3
Comparison the changes of anthropometric parameters, biochemical tests
and blood pressure throughout the study between two groups
Groups
Treatment Placebo Test value
Weight (kg) –0.50 ±0.18 2.77 ±2.17 –1.57
BMI (kg/m2) –0.20 ±0.05 0.35 ±0.17 –3.03∗∗
WC (cm) 0.08±0.20 0.57±0.22 –1.68
HC (cm) –0.14 ±0.06 0.17 ±0.10 –2.66
WHR 0.00 ±0.00 0.00 ±0.00 0.006
MAUC (cm) –0.05 ±0.05 0.16 ±0.08 –2.19
FBS (mg/dl) –0.08 ±0.71 0.42 ±0.75 –0.49
Total cholesterol (mg/dl) –6.17 ±3.18 3.67 ±2.28 –2.47
LDL-c (mg/dl) –0.28 ±0.60 1.12 ±0.66 –1.57
HDL-c (mg/dl) 4.25 ±2.95 0.21 ±0.24 1.30
TG (mg/dl) –1.61 ±1.00 0.79 ±0.76 –1.90
Systolic BP (mmHg) –0.67 ±1.20 –1.21 ±1.25 0.31
Diastolic BP (mmHg) –0.61±1.07 –0.64 ±1.17 0.02
BMI: body mass index, WC: waist circumference, HC: hip circumference, WHR: waist hip ratio,
MAUC: mid-upper arm circumference, LDL-c & HDL-c: LDL- & HDL-cholesterol, TG: triglyceride,
BP: blood pressure. Data are presented as mean ±S.E.M. Mean values were significantly different
between groups by Independent Samples Ttest comparison: P<0·05,∗∗P<0·01.
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4. Discussion
Recent scientific studies of animal models have claimed that G. lucidum has the tendency to reduce body weight
and visceral fat in animal models [7, 8, 16]. Since animal experiments cannot be accurately applied to human,
controlled trials are suggested to determine the efficacy. Therefore, current double-blinded, placebo-controlled
study in overweight subjects was designed to elucidate the effect of G. lucidum on anthropometric indices, fasting
blood sugar, lipid profile and blood pressure. Supplementation of three capsules of G. lucidum per day (each
containing 220 mg of whole powder and 30 mg of its pure aqueous extract) significantly reduced body weight
and BMI compared with the baseline test, the mean of BMI changes of treatment subjects was significantly
different with the placebo group. Despite these statistical differences, the changes may easily be related to
physiological fluctuations in weight, and no claim can be made about the effect of this fungus on weight loss.
The supplementation also seemed to have a positive effect on reducing other anthropometric indices including
HC compared to baseline. Due to the slight and insignificant increase in MAUC in the placebo group, the mean
changes of this parameter were significantly different between the two groups. Intervention with G. lucidum also
had no effect on WC, but due to the significant increase in WC and WHR in the placebo group, it is hypothesized
that G. lucidum acts more as an inhibitor in increasing anthropometric indices than as a reducing agent.
The mechanism involved might be due to the modulating effect of high molecular weight polysaccharide that
act as prebiotics, and affect the intestinal microbiota and maintain intestinal integrity, thus controlling obesity
and its complications and related inflammation [7]. Moreover, Huang et al. (2020) revealed that G. lucidum
supplementation reduced the accumulation of visceral fat in diabetic rats fed a high-fat diet [8]. In contrast,
dietary intervention by G. lucidum ethanolic extract in high-fat diet fed rats had no effect on body weight, while
modulating intestinal microbiota composition [17].
One of the limitations of the current work was the lack of evaluation of calorie intake during the study, which
could determine whether G. lucidum capsules can make satiety feeling. Because there were some increases in
anthropometric indices in the placebo group, which was not evident in the treatment group.
According to the results of chemical biomarkers, despite the decreasing trend of FBS, LDL-c and TG in the
intervention group and the increasing trend in the control group, no significant difference was observed between
the two groups. Mean serum HDL-c was also slightly improved by G. lucidum supplementation (P>0.05); how-
ever, the changes in total cholesterol level between the two groups were significant. Surveys on previous works
about these metabolic indices were inconsistent with our results; as most animal studies revealed hypoglycemic
action of G. lucidum or its extracts and related components [18–21], and supplementation of G. lucidum polysac-
charide had anti-diabetic effect of on type 2 diabetic patients [22]. While, evidence from other clinical trial does
not support the use of G. lucidum for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in people with diabetes mellitus or
metabolic syndrome [10, 12]. In line to slight alteration of lipid profile, polysaccharide peptides from G. lucidum
ameliorated lipid metabolic disorders via the catabolism of cholesterol into bile acids, fatty acid biosynthesis
and regulation of mRNA levels of hepatic genes involved in fatty acid metabolism in animal model [23, 24].
Moreover, G. lucidum potentially improved dyslipidemia after 12 weeks of supplementation in human subject
[10]. So, we can conclude that our 6-week intervention might not be enough to trigger significant changes in
metabolic indices; though, FBS and lipid profile were in normal range in our subjects.
Blood pressure was another variable that were recorded before and after the intervention in our study. Despite
the fact that many previous clinical trials have indicated that G. lucidum can lower blood pressure [22, 25–28],
our results showed that there were no significant changes following the daily consumption of G. lucidum. Nor,
no significant differences were observed between two experimental groups. Mohamad Ansor (2013) showed
that the mycelia of G. lucidum has high potential in lowering blood pressure level due to the presence of four
different antihypertensive-related proteins [29].
In conclusion, this study has shown that G. lucidum supplementation not only directly affects body weight and
BMI, but also affects other anthropometric indices in overweight individuals. It should be noted that although
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8S. Babamiri et al. / The Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum in Overweight Individuals
some anthropometric indicators have changed statistically, these changes are not clinically valuable and there is
no claim for weight lose function in the present work.
Intervention had more inhibitory effects on FBS and lipid profiles components, and no impact on blood
pressure. We have not explored any possible mechanisms, so further research needs to be done on the cause of
the changes. It seems that more long-term interventions needs to be conducted to achieve greater moderating
effects.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all the participants in the study. We also thank the principal of Salahe-Din
Hospital and the staff who accompanied us in our current work.
Author contributions
MSMQ and MSH developed the main design of manuscript, SHB coordinated and performed all procedure of
data collection. MSMQ analyzed the data and wrote the first draft of the manuscript, and other co–authors had
contribution and participated in the revision of the manuscript.
Funding
The article is taken from a dissertation approved by the Tehran Medical Sciences from Islamic Azad University
in 28th June 2020.
Conflict of interest disclosures
There is no conflict of interest for this work.
Ethics and other permissions
All participants filled out written consent form, and they ensured that their information was confidential. The
study protocol was approved by the Research Ethical Committee of Tehran Medical Sciences of Islamic Azad
University (IR.QUMS.REC.1399.151).
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CORRECTED PROOF
... The inclusion criteria were met by a total of 13 studies, including two in MetS population [21,22], two in T2DM subjects [18,20], one in FM patient [30], six in healthy volunteer [24][25][26][27][28][29], and two suffered from CAD [19,23]. The total participants were 138, 117, 64, 134, and 133 in each group, respectively, with relatively similar male to female ratios, except for Babamiri et al. [24], Sarikaputhi et al. [29], and Pazzi et al. [30] with predominantly female respondents. ...
... The inclusion criteria were met by a total of 13 studies, including two in MetS population [21,22], two in T2DM subjects [18,20], one in FM patient [30], six in healthy volunteer [24][25][26][27][28][29], and two suffered from CAD [19,23]. The total participants were 138, 117, 64, 134, and 133 in each group, respectively, with relatively similar male to female ratios, except for Babamiri et al. [24], Sarikaputhi et al. [29], and Pazzi et al. [30] with predominantly female respondents. The characteristics of the included studies, including first author, publication year, country of origin, design, sample sizes, age and gender, popu-Ganoderma Lucidum on human metabolic profile S. Alvianto et al. ...
... These trends were followed by a substantial effect size for both outcomes (MD = 6.16 (4.67 -7.66) and 3.77 (0.42 -7.11), respectively) and a subsequent low heterogeneity (I 2 = 0% and 34%, respectively). However, overall results from five distinct studies involving healthy subjects indicated no significant difference across all metabolic parameters, with the exception of TC observed in Babamiri et al. [24], and hepatic enzyme markers (SGOT, SGPT) in Chiu et al [27]. This phenomenon may arise from relatively normal baseline values of these markers, thus G. lucidum only affects small changes on a previously-normal metabolic parameters. ...
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Ganoderma is a mushroom renowned for its medical attributes, encompassing hepatoprotective, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and immunomodulatory activities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum supplementation on metabolic profile in adult populations. Articles were retrieved from MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, and Google Scholar databases until the year 2023. Inclusion criteria were all published trials examining the effect of G. lucidum supplementation on metabolic profile in adult populations. The quality assessment and meta-analysis was performed. A total of 13 studies (two in populations with metabolic syndrome, two in type 2 diabetes mellitus, one in fibromyalgia patients, six in healthy populations, and two patients with coronary arterial disease) were included in this study, and seven studies met the eligibility criteria for meta-analysis. G. lucidum was mostly administered as capsules. There were no significant differences among outcomes in between group comparisons of high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose in the metabolic syndrome population (p value=1.00, 0.90, 0.78, and 0.33, respectively). Within group comparisons among the healthy population, only serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (p=0.03) and total cholesterol (p<0.0001) exhibited significant changes. In conclusion, we observed significant reductions in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and total cholesterol levels among healthy individuals following G. lucidum supplementation. However, despite promising preliminary findings, greater sample numbers with a more diverse demographic studies are required to fully understand and uncover any capabilities of G. lucidum in a therapeutic role.
... Studies have also highlighted the efficacy of Ganoderma extracts in improving insulin sensitivity, regulating lipid metabolism, and reducing inflammation, as key factors in the management of metabolic syndrome [26][27][28][29]. The bioactive compounds in Ganoderma species can modulate multiple metabolic pathways in the body [30], making Ganoderma a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases [31]. ...
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Medicinal mushrooms, especially Ganoderma species, hold immense promise for the production of a wide range of bioactive compounds with various effects. The biochemical potential of indigenous fungal strains, specific to a region, could play a critical role in the continuous search for novel strains with superior activities on a global scale. This research focused on the ethanolic (EtOH) and hot-water (H2O) extracts of fruiting bodies of two wild-growing Ganoderma species: G. pfeifferi and G. resinaceum, with the aim of assessing their nutritional (total carbohydrate content -TCC) and mineral composition in relation to bioactive properties: antioxidant, antiprolifera-tive and lipid-lowering. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) revealed that G. pfeifferi is a promising source of minerals that are essential for numerous physiological functions in the human body like bone health and muscle and nerve function, with Ca (4.55 ± 0.41 mg/g d.w.) and Mg (1.33 ± 0.09 mg/g d.w.) being the most abundant macroelement present. Zn, Mn, and Cr were particularly notable, with concentrations ranging from 21.49 to 41.70 mg/kg d.w. The EtOH extract of G. pfeifferi demonstrated significantly elevated levels of TCC, essential macromolecules for energy and structural functions in the body, with higher quantities of all three standard carbohydrates detected in this type of extract. Similar to the revealed composition, the same species, G. pfeifferi, stood out as the most prominent antioxidant agent, with the H2O extract being stronger than EtOH in the ABTS assay (86.85 ± 0.67 mg TE/g d.w.), while the EtOH extract displayed the highest anti-OH • scav-enging ability (IC50 = 0.18 ± 0.05 μg/mL) as well as the most notable reducing potential among all. The highest antiproliferative effect against the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), were demonstrated by the H2O extracts from G. resinaceum with the most pronounced activity after 24 h (IC50 = 4.88 ± 0.50 μg/mL), which surpasses that of the standard compound, ellagic acid (IC50 = 33.94 ± 3.69 μg/mL). Administration of both Ganoderma extracts mitigated diabetic lipid disturbances and exhibited potential renal and hepatic protection in vivo on white Wistar rats by the preservation of kidney function parameters in G. resinaceum H2O pre-treatment (urea: 6.27 ± 0.64 mmol/L, creati-nine: 50.00 ± 6.45 mmol/L) and the reduction in ALT levels (17.83 ± 3.25 U/L) compared to diabetic control groups treated with saline (urea: 46.98 ± 6.01 mmol/L, creatinine: 289.25 ± 73.87 mmol/L, and ALT: 60.17 ± 9.64 U/L). These results suggest that pre-treatment with G. resinaceum H2O extracts may have potential antidiabetic properties. In summary, detected microelements are vital for maintaining overall health, supporting metabolic processes, and protecting against various chronic diseases. Further research and dietary assessments could help determine the full potential and applications of the two underexplored Ganoderma species native to Serbia in nutrition and health supplements.
... Studies have also highlighted the efficacy of Ganoderma extracts in improving insulin sensitivity, regulating lipid metabolism, and reducing inflammation, as key factors in the management of metabolic syndrome [25][26][27][28]. The bioactive compounds in Ganoderma species can modulate multiple metabolic pathways in the body [29], making Ganoderma a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases [30]. ...
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Medicinal mushrooms, especially Ganoderma species hold immense promise for production of a wide range of bioactive compounds with various effects. The biochemical potential of indigenous fungal strains, specific to a region, could play a critical role in the continuous search for novel strains with superior activities on a global scale. This research focused on the ethanolic (EtOH) and hot-water (H2O) extracts of fruiting bodies of two wild-growing Ganoderma species: G. pfeifferi and G. resinaceum with an aim to assess its nutritional (total carbohydrate content-TCC), and mineral composition in relation to bioactive properties: antioxidant, antiproliferative and lipid-lowering. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) revealed that G. pfeifferi is a promising source of minerals that are essential for numerous physiological functions in the human body like bone health and muscle and nerve function, with calcium (Ca 4.55 ± 0.41 mg/g d.w.) and magnesium (Mg 1.33 ± 0.09 mg/g d.w.), being the most abundant macro element present. Zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and chromium (Cr) were particularly notable, with concentrations ranging from 21.49 to 41.70 mg/kg d.w. The EtOH extract of G. pfeifferi demonstrated significantly elevated levels of TCC, essential macromolecules for energy and structural functions in the body, with higher quantities of all three standard carbohydrates detected in this type of extract. Similar to revealed composition the same species, G. pfeifferi stood out as the most prominent antioxidant agent, with H2O extract being stronger than EtOH in ABTS assay (86.85 ± 0.67 mg TE/g d.w.), while EtOH extract displayed the highest anti OH• radical scavenging ability (IC50 = 0.18 ± 0.05 μg/mL) as well as the most notable reducing potential among all. The highest antiproliferative effect against the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), demonstrated the H2O extracts from G. resinaceum with the most pronounced activity after 24 hours (IC50 = 4.88 ± 0.50 μg/mL) which surpasses that of the standard compound, ellagic acid (IC50 = 33.94 ± 3.69 μg/mL). Administration of both Ganoderma extracts mitigated diabetic lipid disturbances and exhibited potential renal and hepatic protection in vivo on white Wistar rats by preservation of kidney function parameters in G. resinaceum H2O pre-treatment (urea: 6.27 ± 0.64 mmol/L, creatinine: 50.00 ± 6.45 mmol/L) and the reduction of ALT levels (17.83 ± 3.25 U/L) com-pared to diabetic control groups treated with saline (urea: 46.98 ± 6.01 mmol/L, creatinine: 289.25 ± 73.87 mmol/L, and ALT: 60.17 ± 9.64 U/L). These results suggest that pre-treatment with G. resinaceum H2O extracts may have potential antidiabetic properties. In summary, detected microelements are vital for maintaining overall health, supporting metabolic processes, and protecting against various chronic diseases. Further research and dietary assessments could help determine the full potential and applications of two underexplored Ganoderma species native to Serbia in nutrition and health supplements.
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