Ganoderma lucidum Extracts Inhibited Leukemia WEHI-3 Cells in BALB/c Mice and Promoted an Immune Response in Vivo.

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2009 Dec 7;

Authors: Chang YH, Yang JS, Yang JL, Wu CL, Chang SJ, Lu KW, Lin JJ, Hsia TC, Lin YT, Ho CC, Wood WG, Chung JG

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is a medicinal mushroom having biological effects such as immunomodulation and anti-tumor actions. In China and many other Asian countries, G. lucidum is used as a folk remedy to promote health and longevity. Although many studies have shown that G. lucidum modulates the immune system, including, for example, antigen-presenting cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and the T and B lymphocytes, the effects of G. lucidum on the WEHI-3 leukemic BALB/c mice are unclear. We attempted to determine whether G. lucidum would promote immune responses in BALB/c mice injected with WEHI-3 leukemia cells. The effects of G. lucidum on the survival rate of WEHI-3 leukemia cells injected into BALB/c mice were examined. It increased the percentages of CD3 and CD19, but decreased the percentages of Mac-3 and CD11b markers, suggesting that differentiation of the precursor of T and B cells was promoted but macrophages were inhibited. It decreased the weight of spleens as compared with control mice. It also promoted phagocytosis by macrophage from peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and it also promoted natural killer cell activity. It decreased the percentage of leukemia cells in the spleens of mice before they were injected with WEHI-3 cells. Apparently, G. lucidum affects murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vivo.

Dr.Steve's BOTTOM LINE: Otherwise known as Reishi mushroom or Ling Zhi, this is a fungus that has been used in oriental medicine for thousands of years as a "fix it all" kind of approach. This laboratory animal study shows that the anticancer effect that has been suggested for eons really has some scientific plausibility to it. This is likely not the magic bullet but joins a long list of herbal and natural anti-cancer substances that need more investigation. In the end, we want to know what works better than the next substance. This goes for drugs and natural substances since one does not want to waste time with less effective treatments when they have an aggressive cancer growing insider of them.