The Pharmacological Rationales and Molecular Mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides for the Therapeutic Applications of Multiple Diseases

As a versatile Chinese herb, Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst (G. lucidum) has been applied to treat multiple diseases in clinics and improve the quality of life of patients. Among all of its extracts, the main bioactive components are G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs), which possess many therapeutic effects, such as antitumor, immunoregulatory, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and neuroprotection activities. This review briefly summarized the recent studies of the pharmacological rationales of GLPs and their underlying molecular signaling transmission mechanisms in treating diseases. Until now, the clear mechanisms of GLPs for treating diseases have not been reported. In this review, we used the keywords of “Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides” and “tumor” to search in PubMed (years of 1992–2020), then screened and obtained 160 targets of antitumor activities in the literatures. The network pharmacology and mechanism framework were employed in this study as powerful approaches to systematically analyze the complicated potential antitumor mechanisms and targets of GLPs in cancer. We then found that there are 69 targets and 21 network pathways in “Pathways in cancer”. Besides, we summarized the effects of GLPs and the models and methods used in the research of GLPs. In conclusion, GLPs have been studied extensively, but more in-depth research is still needed to determine the exact mechanisms and pathways. Therefore, this review might provide new insights into the vital targets and pathways for researchers to study the pharmacological mechanisms of GLPs for the treatment of diseases.

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides protect against sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction by activating SIRT1

Objective To investigate whether the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) was involved in the protective effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) against sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction. Methods Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis model was constructed in C57/BL6J mice. Mice were randomly divided into LPS + GLP + EX-527, LPS + EX-527, LPS + GLP, LPS or control group). The levels of serum inflammatory factor markers were examined by ELISA. H&E staining was performed to assess the inflammation. TUNEL staining and bromodeoxyuridine staining were used to observe cell apoptosis and proliferation, respectively. Expression of apoptosis and proliferation-related proteins was detected by western blot. Key findings GLP treatment could significantly increase the expression of SIRT1, reduce levels of serum inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-6) and inflammatory cells in mice heart tissue of sepsis models (all Ps < 0.01). Compared with LPS group, GLP treatment inhibited apoptosis and promoted proliferation of myocardial tissues (all Ps < 0.01). Besides, EX-527 (SIRT1 inhibitor) treatment could partially reverse the protective effects of GLP against sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction (all Ps < 0.01). Conclusions GLP might play a protective role in sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction through regulating inflammatory response, apoptosis and proliferation via activating SIRT1. Therefore, GLP is expected to be a probable novel strategy for treatment of sepsis.

Health-Promoting of Polysaccharides Extracted from Ganoderma lucidum

Medicinal mushrooms are rich sources of pharmacologically active compounds. One of the mushrooms commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine is Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. Ex Fr.) Karst. In Asian countries it is treated as a nutraceutical, whose regular consumption provides vitality and improves health. Ganoderma lucidum is an important source of biologically active compounds. The pharmacologically active fraction of polysaccharides has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antineurodegenerative and antidiabetic activities. In this review, we summarize the activity of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP).

Ganoderma Lucidum Polysaccharides Enhance the Abscopal Effect of Photothermal Therapy in Hepatoma-Bearing Mice Through Immunomodulatory, Anti-Proliferative, Pro-Apoptotic and Anti-Angiogenic

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality, a highly effective treatment with low side effects and tolerance is needed. Photothermal immunotherapy is a promising treatment combining photothermal therapy (PTT) and immunotherapy. PTT induces the release of tumor-associated antigens by ablating tumor and Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) enhance the antitumor immunity. Results showed that Indocyanine Green (ICG) was successfully encapsulated into SF-Gel. ICG could convert light to heat and SF-Gel accelerates the photothermal effect in vitro and in vivo. PTT based on ICG/ICG-SF-Gel inhibited the growth of primary and distal tumors, GLP enhanced the inhibitory efficacy. ICG/ICG-SF-Gel-based PTT and GLP immunotherapy improved the survival time. ICG/ICG-SF-Gel-based PTT induces tumor necrosis and GLP enhanced the photothermal efficacy. ICG/ICG-SF-Gel-based PTT inhibited cell proliferation and angiogenesis, induced cell apoptosis, enhanced cellular immunity, and GLP enhanced these effects. In conclusion, GLP could enhance the abscopal effect of PTT in Hepatoma-bearing mice.

Characterization and Hepatoprotections of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides against Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Mice

Background. The liver is one of the most commonly affected organs in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In recent years, there have been many studies on Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP), but the role of GLP in MODS is still unclear. The purpose of this work was to explore the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective effects of GLP on the liver in MODS model mice. Methods. The characteristic properties of GLP were processed by physicochemical analysis. The MODS models were successfully established with intraperitoneal injection of zymosan in Kunming strain mice. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects of GLP were processed both in vitro and in vivo by evaluating the oxidative parameters, inflammatory factors, and liver pathological observations. Results. The characterization analysis revealed that GLP was a pyranose mainly composed of glucose with the molecular weights (Mw) of 8309 Da. The experimental results proved that GLP had potential hepatoprotection possibly by improving the antioxidant status (scavenging excessive oxygen radicals, increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities, and reducing the lipid peroxide), alleviating the inflammatory response (reducing the inflammatory factor levels), and guaranteeing the liver functions. Conclusions. This research suggested that GLP had the potential to be developed as a natural medicine for the treatment of multiple organ failure.

Extraction kinetics, physicochemical properties and immunomodulatory activity of the novel continuous phase transition extraction of polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) possessed remarkable bioactivity has been studied widely. However, the application of new technology in the polysaccharides extraction has not been investigated. Herein, a novel continuous phase...