Mediation models  direct and total effects|   Ganoderma Lucidum - Natural Products-Fighting Cancer
Channel: Land of Peaceful Mind
Date: 2020-05-12

Ganoderma Lucidum - Natural Products for Fighting Cancer
  Ganoderma Lucidum is an edible mushroom, although, because of its wooden structure is not used in a raw diet. It commonly grows on trees: the oak, maple and chestnut; their fallen leaves are used as a nutrition source. Ganoderma lucidum grows in all meridians, mostly on the Asian continent (China, Japan, and Korea).
Ganoderma Lucidum is a well-known for its healing properties for thousands of years. Used in traditional Chinese medicine as the fountain of youth and longevity, it was considered to be a "privileged food". As a medical treatment it was put to use for many diseases: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, viral infections, allergies, bronchitis, arthritis, nephritis, cancer and many other conditions. Interest in Ganoderma lucidum over the years is growing. The effects of Ganoderma are examined around the world, in vivo and in vitro. There are numerous Ganoderma Lucidum preparations with different levels of efficiency and effectiveness. The highest quality products are extracted from mushrooms, raised in environmentally-preserved areas, where uncontaminated samples are selected.
  More than 100 highly active triterpenes with proven cytotoxic activity were isolated. The ganoderic acids A and C, have demonstrated capability to inhibit the enzyme responsible for activating Ras oncoprotein that leads to transformation of healthy cells in the tumor. Other isolated triterpenes also have cytotoxic effects. Triterpenoid compounds inhibit tumor metastasis; inhibit the growth of secondary tumors in the liver and spleen, as shown in animal models. They also inhibit the growth of new blood vessels around the tumor tissue and thus prevented delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the tumor cells. Phenols isolated from Ganoderma lucidum have strong antioxidant activity, and inhibit lipid peroxidation. The isolated proteoglycans induce activation and proliferation of B lymphocytes, leading to increased secretion of interleukin 2. The cerebrosides inhibit the enzyme DNA polymerase, and thereby prevent the replication of DNA, which prevents the growth of tumors. Aminopolysaccharide fraction from Ganoderma lucidum is proven to reduce oxidative damage to DNA. It has chemo-preventive action; preventing the deterioration of blood cells.
The total effect of all these isolated bioactive substances and their anti-tumor activity is resulting in an inhibition or activation of specific mechanisms and pathways that prevent the transformation of healthy cells in the tumor. These effects are indirectly mediated by enhancing the body's immune response and cytokine secretion by stimulation. Or directly, by targeting cancer cells under the influence of these bioactive compounds by influencing the behavior of tumor cells, preventing them from multiplying and spreading, this leads to their destruction.