1. 17182202 Journal of ethnopharmacology (2007) Genes: lymphokine

• The present study was designed to determine in vivo efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (Gl-PS) for enhancing the activity of immunological effector cells in immunosuppressed mice.
• These results demonstrate the efficacious effects of low-dose Gl-PS treatment for enhancing the activity of immunological effector cells in immunosuppressed mice, and may provide a basis for applying this herb as an efficacious adjacent immunopotentiating therapy against cancer chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression.

2. 17034284 J Altern Complement Med. (2006)

• OBJECTIVES: Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) has been commonly suggested in East Asia as a potential candidate for prevention and treatment of different diseases, including cancer.
• Ganoderma extracts, in particular Ganoderma lucidum (extracts or isolated components), have previously been shown to possess antitumor activities.
• METHODS: The aqueous extracts (12.5-400 microg/mL) of G. lucidum, G. sinense, and G. tsugae were examined for their antiproliferative activities in human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, as well as in normal human mammary epithelial cells (primary culture).
• The extracts from the stipes of the G. tsugae and wildly grown G. sinense showed much stronger inhibitory effects than the other parts of the fruiting body in both cancer cell lines, whereas the extracts from the stipes of G. lucidum and wildly grown G. sinense showed stronger immunopotentiating activities in mouse splenic lymphocytes.
• CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the aqueous extracts of these commonly available Ganoderma fruiting bodies, G. lucidum, G. sinense, and G. tsugae have antitumor activities in human breast cancer cells and immunomodulatory activities in murine lymphocytes.

3. 15351712 Biochem Biophys Res Commun. (2004) Genes: TLR4 IL-1beta

• This study was designed to identify and characterize the immune receptors for polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum, a Chinese medicinal fungus that exhibits anti-tumor activities via enhancing host immunity.
• We herein demonstrate that G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPS) activated BALB/c mouse B cells and macrophages, but not T cells, in vitro.
• Our results may have important implications for our understanding on the molecular mechanisms of immunopotentiating polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine.

4. 15118318 Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. (2004) Genes: IL-4 interferon-gamma IFN-gamma interleukin-4

• The immuno-potentiating effects of the antler-shaped fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum (Rokkaku-Reishi, RR), which has been used as a traditional supplement for human health, were investigated in mice.
• Our results suggest that the oral administration of RR resulted in Th1-associated immuno-potentiating activities in vivo.