GANODERMA LUCIDUM EXTRACT PROTECTS DOPAMINERGIC NEURONS THROUGH INHIBITING THE PRODUCTION OF INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS BY ACTIVATED MICROGLIA
Microglia are constantly scavenging the central nervous system for damaged neurons, plaques, and infectious agents. Microglia are a type of glial cell that are the resident macrophages of the brain and spinal cord, and thus act as the first and main form of active immune defense in the central nervous system.
     Abundant evidence has suggested that neuroinflammation participates in the pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson's disease. The emerging evidence has supported that microglia may play key roles in the progressive neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease and might be a promising therapeutic target.
     Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been shown to have potential neuroprotective effect in our clinical trials that lead us to speculate that Ganoderma lucidum might possess potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties.
     To test this hypothesis, the present study investigated the potential neuroprotective effect of Ganoderma lucidum and underlying mechanism through inhibiting microglial activation using co-cultures of dopaminergic neurons and microglia. The cultures of microglia or MES23.5 cells alone or together were treated for 24 hours with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.25 µg/mL) as a positive control, Ganoderma lucidum extracts (50-400 µg/mL) or MES23.5 cell membrane fragments (150 µg/mL) were used in treatment groups. Microglia activation, microglia-derived harmful factors and [(3)H]dopamine ([(3)H]DA) uptake of MES23.5 cells were analyzed.
     The results showed that microglia were activated by lipopolysaccharide and MPP(+)-treated MES23.5 cell membrane fragments, respectively. Meanwhile, Ganoderma lucidum extracts significantly prevented the production of microglia-derived proinflammatory and cytotoxic factors, including nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), in a dose-dependent manner and down-regulated the tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin 1ß expressions on messenger RNA (mRNA) level. In addition, Ganoderma lucidum extracts antagonized the reduction of [(3)H]DA uptake induced by MPP(+) and microglial activation. In conclusion, these results suggest that Ganoderma lucidum may be a promising agent for the treatment of Parkinson's disease through anti-inflammation.
Ding H, Zhou M, Zhang RP, Xu SL. [Ganoderma lucidum extract protects dopaminergic neurons through inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators by activated microglia.]. Sheng Li Xue Bao. 2010 Dec 25;62(6):547-554.


Nutrient Composition of Popular Mushrooms

     The USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL) has the responsibility to develop USDA's National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, the foundation of most food and nutrition databases in the US; used in food policy, research and nutrition monitoring. The Mission of the Nutrient Data Laboratory is "To develop authoritative food composition databases and state of the art methods to acquire, evaluate, compile and disseminate composition data on foods and dietary supplements available in the United States."

     The objective of this cooperative research project is to determine the nutrient content of UV exposed Agaricus mushrooms to enhance the vitamin D content as well as to determine the vitamin D content of a variety of mushrooms previously analyzed. These data will be used to update and expand the values for mushrooms in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.

     This project is being conducted under the aegis of the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) where contracts and cooperative agreements are in place to provide for the purchase of food samples, prepare composites and analytical samples, and analysis of analytical samples for the specified food components.

     Samples of UV-exposed Agaricus mushrooms (to enhance the vitamin D content) along with samples of untreated Agarcicus mushrooms were purchased at 12 retail outlets across the United States; selected according to the multi-stage statistically based sampling plan developed for NFNAP. Additionally samples of enoki, shiitake, maitake, oyster, crimini, portobello, chanterelle and morel mushrooms were purchased according to the same sampling plan.

     The 12 samples/types are being composited into 4 random composites for each type of mushroom. If samples are not available at retail outlets, the sponsor arranged for shipments directly from producers. The sample units were then cleaned (removing any bruised or damaged mushrooms, soil, etc.) and prepared according to protocols developed during the first phase.

     As specified, the UV-exposed mushrooms are cooked according to instructions provided by the Mushroom Council. Weights are taken of the mushroom samples before and after cooking to develop food yield and nutrient retention data. Raw and cooked mushrooms will be homogenized and aliquots will be taken from the composites. These will be sent to qualified contractors and collaborators for component analysis, such as proximates, minerals, vitamins, and other food components, along with analytical quality control materials.

     Results will be reviewed by NDL's quality control panel, and, if necessary, samples will be reanalyzed to obtain accurate results to assure accuracy and precision of results before data are released. Final data will be used to update and/or replace values for the various types of popular mushrooms. [Project Number 1235-52000-061-26: Start Date Jan 1, 2009 - End Date Dec 31, 2010]

Effect of Consumption of Post-Harvest UV-B Treated Mushrooms on Vitamin D Status of Healthy Adults

     The USDA Immunity & Disease Prevention Research Unit's mission is to determine how selected nutrients and other dietary factors with immune-regulatory and anti-oxidant properties modulate immune function and prevent or impede pathogenic inflammation.  USDA Agricultural research Service scientists in the unit are currently focusing on vitamins A and D, carotenoids, fatty acids, selenium and other specific phytonutrients (e.g., quercetin and resveratrol).  Research focuses on the anti-inflammatory activities of such compounds because inflammation is a key promoter of many chronic diseases.  

by Tom Volk

     Ganoderma lucidum (G. Lucidum), also known as Reishi, ling chih, and ling zhi has a long history of being used as an herbal remedy and important as a medicine in the Far East, in places such as China, Japan and Korea. Ganoderma lucidum is a member of the Polypores, a group of fungi characterized by the presence of pores instead of gills on the underside of the fruiting body.

     G. lucidum, considered by many mycophiles to be one of the most beautiful shelf fungi, it is distinguished by its varnished, red surface. When it is young it also has white and yellow shades on the varnished surface. G. lucidum is a saprophytic fungus that tends to grow more prolifically in warm climates on decaying hardwood logs and stumps.

     A recent study in 2004 by Hong and Jung, found that G. lucidum from Asia was in its own group, whereas, G. lucidum from Europe and the Americas was more closely related to G. tsugae. Ganoderma lucidum, considered rare and hard to find in nature in China and Japan, is now commonly cultured. It can be cultured on logs that are buried in shady, moist areas. G. lucidum can also be inoculated onto hardwood stumps.

     Ganoderma lucidum, also refered to as Reishi, has been used as an herbal remedy for such things as health, recuperation, longevity, wisdom and happiness for centuries in Asian traditional medicine. Recently, there have been a large number of scientific papers published with experiments attempting to quantify the effect of G. lucidum on the human body. The fungal extract has been shown to act on immune system cells, to work against herpes virus, to lower cholesterol and stop cell proliferation.

     Although the molecular make up has yet to be determined conclusively, several biologically active compounds from G. lucidum have been characterized. These include adenosine, said to have an analgesic effect, R,S-ganodermic and ganasterone that have an antihepatoxic effect, and glucans and polysaccharides that are responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties of G. lucidum. Something else to keep in mind is that all these experiments were done in cell lines, mice, rats and hamsters. So far no large scale unbiased human trials have yet been performed, and the FDA does not yet approve use of Reishi as medical treatment.

     In order to gain FDA approval, purified compounds from G. lucidum would have to go through an intensive amount of screening in cell lines and animals; much of this pre-clinical testing has already been performed. The next step would be a phase one clinical trial, which assesses the potential drug's safety.Although these species of fungi can produce beautiful fruiting bodies, who would have expected them to hold so many potentially useful chemicals?

Tom Volk, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Dept. of Biology; co-authored by Kathleen Engelbrecht (Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month, March 2005). [Edited for length]

     In the binomial classification system, the genera (plural of genus) of mushrooms containing psilocybin include: Agrocybe, Conocybe, Copelandia, Galerina, Gerronema, Gymnopilus, Hypholoma, Inocybe, Mycena, Panaeolus, Pluteus, Psilocybe and Weraroa. Albert Hofmann, a Swiss scientist, identified psilocin and psilocybin as the active compounds in these mushrooms in 1958.
     Hofmann is best known for being the first person to synthesize, ingest and learn of the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on April 19, 1943. Psilocybin mushrooms are non-toxic and non-addictive, but some wild poisonous mushrooms can be easily mistaken for psilocybin mushrooms.
     The Center for Disease Control (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found psilocybin less toxic than aspirin and Nicotine. But unlike aspirin and Nicotine, psilocybin-containing mushrooms are classified hallucinogens. The hallucinogenic effect of psilocybin can last from 3 to 8 hours.
     In the USA, the two primary active chemicals in Psilocybin mushrooms (Psilocybin and Psilocin) are Schedule I Chemical Substances under the United States Controlled Substances Act. Psilocybin and Psilocin are classified as hallucinogen and are illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute (sell, trade or give) without a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license.
     Psilocybin, LSD, and mescaline are extremely potent chemicals that bind at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors and trigger a response. In the United Stated, fresh and dried psilocybin mushrooms are considered containers of Psilocybin and Psilocin, and are also illegal to possess.

     However, Psilocybin mushrooms themselves, as well as other plants (natural material) containing psilocin and psilocybin, and preparations made of these plants, are not controlled under the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971.