In April 2024, a research team jointly led by Professor Jia Li and Associate Professor Xie Xiaodong from the Biomedical Research Center of the College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, in collaboration with the College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, the School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Translational Research Centre in Onco-Hematology (CRTOH), Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland, and Fujian Xianzhilou Biological Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (Fuzhou), published a study in the Journal of the Chinese Medical Association.
The study demonstrated that Ganoderma lucidum spore oil (GLSO) can enhance the effect of the chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide (CTX) in inhibiting breast cancer lung metastasis in animals, with the mechanism linked to an enhancement of anti-tumor immunity.
Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Oil: Rich in Active Ingredients
The Ganoderma lucidum spore oil (GanoOil) used in this study was extracted by Fujian Xianzhilou Biological Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (Fuzhou) from a specific source of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder using supercritical CO2 extraction. Analysis by the research team confirmed that this spore oil is rich in ergosterol (approximately 230 mg per 100 g of spore oil), Reishi total triterpenoids (approximately 34-35 g per 100 g of spore oil), and various unsaturated fatty acids (as shown in the figure below).
Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Oil: High Safety and Immune-Boosting Properties
The research team also evaluated the safety of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil through in vitro and in vivo experiments. They cultured different concentrations of spore oil with various cancer cells or normal cells for 24 hours to observe cell viability. Additionally, healthy mice without tumors were orally administered 0.5 g/kg of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil daily for 28 days. The results showed:
➤ The viability of both cancer cells and normal cells is unaffected by Ganoderma lucidum spore oil (indicating no toxic damage).
➤ No significant changes in body weight were observed in the mice during the experiment.
➤ At the end of the experiment, important organs like the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys of the mice were all normal (no toxic reactions or pathological changes occurred).
Histopathological analysis showed no significant differences in organ tissues between the two groups, indicating that long-term daily administration of high doses (0.5g/kg) of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil had no apparent toxicity or side effects in mice.
➤ The activity of natural killer (NK) cells and the overall number of lymphocytes (including T cells, B cells, and NK cells) in the mice’s spleens significantly increased.
➤ There was also a tendency for an increase in CD8+ T cells (cytotoxic T cells), which can directly kill cancer cells or pathogens, in the mice’s blood circulation. Although the increase did not reach statistical significance, it still suggests a positive impact of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil on immunity.
These results indicate that daily oral administration of high-dose Ganoderma lucidum spore oil is not only safe for consumption but also beneficial for enhancing immunity.
Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Oil Can Assist Chemotherapeutic Drugs in Reducing Lung Metastasis
The researchers further investigated the in vivo anti-cancer effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil using an experimental model of breast cancer lung metastasis. During the 21-day experimental period, mice were orally administered 0.3 g/kg of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil daily. Three days after starting spore oil administration, metastatic triple-negative breast cancer 4T1 cells were intravenously injected into the mice. The chemotherapeutic drug CTX (cyclophosphamide) was administered via intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 0.05 g/kg, for a total of 3 injections. The results showed:
➤ Tumor-bearing mice receiving both Ganoderma lucidum spore oil and CTX chemotherapy had significantly fewer tumors in their lungs compared to groups receiving no treatment, Ganoderma lucidum spore oil alone, or chemotherapy alone. This indicates that the combined use of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil and CTX has a better inhibitory effect on breast cancer cell metastasis from the bloodstream to the lungs.
➤ In tumor-bearing mice treated concurrently with Ganoderma lucidum spore oil and the chemotherapeutic agent CTX, not only was their body weight not significantly different from that of normal mice, but the ratios of lung weight and spleen weight to body weight were also very similar to those of normal mice. This indicates that the combined use of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil and CTX can prevent weight loss and abnormal enlargement of the lungs and spleen typically caused by cancer itself and by chemotherapeutic drugs.
➤ While combined use of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil and chemotherapy did not increase the proportion of CD4+ T cells among lymphocytes, it did increase the proportion of CD8+ T cells (cytotoxic T cells that can directly kill cancer cells) in the blood, enhanced the activity of natural killer cells in the spleen, and promoted the content of the cytokine IL-6 in the blood. Therefore, the ability of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil to assist chemotherapeutic agents in preventing breast cancer cell metastasis to the lungs is likely achieved through the enhancement of anti-tumor immunity.
Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Oil: Both a Health Food and a Chemotherapy Adjuvant
Based on the above research findings, it can be concluded that daily supplementation with Ganoderma lucidum spore oil can enhance immunity before tumor onset. When tumors are present, daily supplementation with Ganoderma lucidum spore oil can also improve the inhibitory ability of chemotherapeutic drugs on cancer metastasis.
Therefore, Ganoderma lucidum spore oil is not only a daily health food but also a beneficial chemotherapy adjuvant. More importantly, its high dietary safety means it does not cause harm or burden to the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, or kidneys.
Everyone has cancer cells, but not everyone develops cancer; even if cancer occurs, metastasis doesn’t always happen. The key lies in anti-tumor immunity. Immunity can be weakened by factors such as age, stress, pollution, illness, and medication. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain immunity daily, even when healthy. Long-term maintenance of good immunity is a self-protective measure against cancer and for fighting it.
Reference:
Shu Lian, et al. Ganoderma lucidum spore oil synergistically enhances the function of cyclophosphamide in the prevention of breast cancer metastasis. J Chin Med Assoc. 2024 Mar 1;87(3):305-313.
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★ The original manuscript of this article was authored in Chinese by Wu Tingyao and subsequently translated into English by Alfred Liu. In the event of any inconsistencies between the English translation and the original Chinese text, the latter shall take precedence. For any queries, pls reach out to the original author, Ms. Wu Tingyao.
