Reishi Mushroom

Findings:

A meta-regression analysis of 10 studies indicated that the type and intensity of exercise play a role in changing the Bacillota/Bacteroidota (B/B) ratio (p = 0.001). Further research is needed to map interactions between microbiota, physical activity types, personalized diets, and supplements for athletic performance and wellness.

Participants:

Athletes with different lifestyles.

Study Quality Assessment:

Systematic review and meta-analysis conducted according to PRISMA guidelines; protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024500826); 10 studies included in meta-analysis; Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflicts of interest; Exercise intensity categorized (low, moderate, vigorous) using METs or VO2 max; Meta-regression analysis performed.

All Effects:

Authors:

Daniel Man‐yuen Sze, Godfrey CF Chan, Julieta Ruiz Beguerie, Xingzhong Jin

Findings:

Meta-analysis showed patients receiving G. lucidum alongside chemo/radiotherapy were more likely to respond positively compared to chemo/radiotherapy alone (RR 1.50; 95% CI 0.90 to 2.51, P = 0.02). G. lucidum treatment alone did not show the same regression rate. G. lucidum increased percentages of CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocytes, marginally elevated leukocyte and NK-cell activity, and improved quality of life in some studies. Insufficient evidence was found to justify G. lucidum as a first-line cancer treatment or to determine its effect on long-term survival, but it could be considered as an alternative adjunct to conventional treatment.

Participants:

Patients with cancer (all types and stages, diagnosed by pathology). The review included 5 RCTs.

Study Quality Assessment:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 5 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Searched multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, etc.). Selection criteria: RCTs comparing G. lucidum to active or placebo control in cancer patients. Methodological quality of included primary studies was assessed by two independent authors and found to be 'generally unsatisfying' with inadequate reporting. Outcomes measured included tumour response (WHO criteria), immune function parameters (NK-cell activity, T-lymphocyte subsets), and quality of life (Karnofsky scale). Limitations acknowledged: unsatisfying methodological quality of primary studies, inadequate reporting, lack of long-term survival data. Conflict of interest statement provided: authors report no direct financial interest.

All Effects:

Findings:

Meta-analysis showed patients receiving G. lucidum alongside chemo/radiotherapy were more likely to respond positively (RR 1.50, P=0.02) compared to chemo/radiotherapy alone. G. lucidum increased percentages of CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocytes, marginally elevated leukocytes and NK-cell activity, and improved quality of life in four studies. Insufficient evidence supports G. lucidum as first-line cancer treatment, but it may be an adjunct therapy to enhance tumour response and immunity, being generally well-tolerated with minor side effects reported.

Participants:

Patients with cancer diagnosed by pathology (all types and stages eligible). The review included participants from five RCTs.

Study Quality Assessment:

Systematic review (Cochrane Database Syst Rev) of five randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methodological quality of primary studies was assessed as 'generally unsatisfying' with inadequate reporting. Meta-analysis was performed. Limitations noted include lack of long-term survival data in trials and the need for improved methodological quality in future studies. A conflict of interest statement indicates authors have no direct financial interest.

All Effects:

Authors:

Iris F. F. Benzie, John A. Buswell, John Yuen, Sissi Wachtel-Galor

Findings:

Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi/Reishi) has a long history of traditional use in Asia for health and longevity. Its major bioactive components are polysaccharides and triterpenes, though content varies widely in commercial products. Scientific studies (mainly in vitro and animal models, with limited human trials) provide evidence supporting potential health benefits, including anticancer (chemopreventive, tumoricidal, anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic), immunomodulatory (cytokine induction, immune cell enhancement), antioxidant, antiviral (HSV, HIV-1 protease, HBV), antibacterial, hypoglycemic (in diabetic animal models and one human trial), and protective effects against liver and gastric injury.

Participants:

Studies reviewed involved various subjects including: Human cancer patients (advanced cancers, lung cancer), patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (N=71), elderly patients with postherpetic neuralgia (N=4), human subjects for antioxidant absorption study. Animal models included mice (normal BALB/c, tumor-implanted [sarcoma 180, Lewis lung carcinoma, MM-46 mammary tumor, PC-3, HepG2], diabetic [alloxan-induced, +db/+db], liver injury [D-galactosamine, ethanol, CCl4, TAA], E. coli infection) and rats (liver injury [CCl4, benzo(a)pyrene], gastric ulcer [acetic acid], colon cancer [azoxymethane], cirrhosis [biliary ligation]). Numerous in vitro studies used various human and rodent cancer cell lines (e.g., L1210, LLC, HL-60, HepG2, MDA-MB-123, PC-3, HT-29, PG, HUC-PC), human lymphocytes, macrophages, T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, HUVECs, and Raji cells.

Dosage:

Dosages mentioned in reviewed studies include: 1800 mg/day G. lucidum capsules (human cancer trials); 1800 mg three times daily Ganopoly (human diabetes trial); 100 mg/kg ganoderans A/B i.p. (mice, hypoglycemic); 0.03 and 0.3 g/kg BW oral hot water extract (diabetic mice); 800 mg/kg daily oral lucidenic acid extract (mice, anticancer); 10, 20, 40 mg/mouse i.p. aqueous extract (mice, anticancer); 2 mg/mouse i.p. hot water extract (mice, anticancer); 36 or 72 g dried mushroom equivalent orally/day (human, postherpetic neuralgia); 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg GL-PS fractions (rats, gastric ulcer healing); 500 mg/kg/day oral methanolic extract (rats, liver protection); 10 and 30 mg/kg/day i.v. ganoderic acid (mice, liver protection); 60, 120, 180 mg/kg/day oral extract (mice, liver protection).

Study Quality Assessment:

The text reviews a large body of research, including in vitro studies, animal models, and some human trials. Specific methods mentioned include: HPLC, NMR, molecular methods (rDNA sequencing, RAPD-PCR, ITS, SRAP, ERIC, AFLP) for taxonomy and quality control; assays for anticancer effects (TUNEL, CAM, Matrigel); antioxidant assays (FRAP). Some human trials are described as randomized controlled trials (Gao et al. studies on Ganopoly, N=134 and N=68 cancer patients, N=71 diabetic patients). Limitations acknowledged include: reliance on anecdotal evidence and traditional use for some claims, variability in product composition (triterpenes undetectable to 7.8%, polysaccharides 1.1-5.8% in commercial products), most studies performed in animals or cell culture, human studies often small, scarcity of well-designed human trials for anticancer effects, potential bias as human Ganopoly trials were conducted by the same research group, need for better quality control and standardization of preparations.

All Effects:

Authors:

Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S

Findings:

Ginger, containing bioactive compounds like [6]-gingerol, shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, and potential anticancer effects in preclinical studies, often linked to pathways like COX-2 and NF-κB inhibition. Clinical evidence strongly supports its use for nausea (especially pregnancy-related), though findings for arthritis, pain, and cardiovascular effects are mixed or limited. Ginger is generally considered safe, but supplement standardization is lacking, and more human research on efficacy and mechanisms is needed.

Participants:

Studies involving human participants (healthy volunteers, older adults, cancer patients, patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular discomfort, primary dysmenorrhea, pregnant women, hypertensive patients, patients undergoing surgery), animal models (rats, mice, mink, rabbits), and in vitro cell lines.

Dosage:

Dosages varied widely across studies: Human trials used doses like 250mg capsules, 1g, 2g, or 3g daily (often divided) for conditions like nausea, pain, and lipid lowering; a pharmacokinetic study used 100mg-2g single doses. Animal studies used doses like 33-100 mg/kg orally, 500 mg/kg IP, or dietary percentages (1-5%). Supplement serving sizes reportedly range from 250mg to 4.8g/day, with significant variability in active component content.

Study Quality Assessment:

The text reviews numerous studies, including surveys, animal models (rats, mice, mink, rabbits), in vitro experiments, and human clinical trials. Several human trials are described as randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, or comparative. Specific methods like HPLC/ESI-MS and pharmacokinetic analyses are mentioned. However, the text also notes inconsistencies in findings (e.g., for arthritis, motion sickness, postoperative nausea), a lack of standardization in ginger supplements, a need for more research (especially in humans in vivo), and incomplete understanding of mechanisms. Funding sources are acknowledged.

All Effects: