In May 2024, a research team led by Chen Zhuo from the State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry at the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the School of Integrative Medicine at Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the School of Biological Science and Engineering at Fuzhou University, and researchers from Fujian Xianzhilou Biological Science and Technology Co., Ltd., published a report in the multidisciplinary journal Heliyon, under Cell Press. The study conducted an in-depth analysis of the anti-fatigue and sleep-aiding effects of two Reishi compound formulas, "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali" and "Ganoderma lucidum + Ganoderma sinense," along with their raw materials, which is worth a careful consideration by modern individuals who experience fatigue or poor sleep.

 

 

Combining "Ganoderma lucidum extract" and "Sporoderm-broken spore powder" with either "Paecilomyces hepiali mycelium powder" or "Ganoderma sinense ultra-fine powder".

 

The two Reishi compound formulas used in this study and the individual ingredients in the formulas are detailed in the table below, all produced and provided by Fujian Xianzhilou Biological Science and Technology Co., Ltd.

 

 

The compound PGB is characterized by the combination of "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali." Paecilomyces hepiali, abbreviated as PH, is an accompanying fungus isolated from fresh Cordyceps sinensis. Due to the scarcity of fresh Cordyceps sinensis, the Paecilomyces hepiali mycelium powder produced through fermentation is often regarded as a substitute for Cordyceps sinensis and is commonly hoped to improve symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, and forgetfulness.

 

The compound formula GBS is characterized by the combination of "Ganoderma lucidum + Ganoderma sinense," which incorporates the red G. lucidum (commonly known as Lingzhi or Red Reishi) and the purple G. sinense (commonly known as Purple Reishi, abbreviated as GS), which are different species with distinct colors. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia evaluates the functions and indications of these two Reishi fruiting bodies as "tonifying qi and tranquilizing the mind, suppressing cough, and relieving wheezing. Used for disquieted heart spirit, insomnia, palpitations, cough and wheezing caused by lung deficiency, consumptive disease with shortness of breath, no appetite."

 

The featured "Paecilomyces hepiali Mycelium Powder" and "Ganoderma sinense Ultra-Fine Powder" account for half and one-quarter of their respective formulas. Both compound formulas contain sporoderm-broken Ganoderma lucidum spore powder (abbreviated as GB), which makes up one-quarter of each formula, and both also include Ganoderma lucidum extract (fruiting body ethanol extract + water extract, abbreviated as GE). In the "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali" formula PGB, GE accounts for one-quarter, while in the "Ganoderma lucidum + Ganoderma sinense" formula GBS, it constitutes one-half.

 

Assessment Methods for Antifatigue and Sleep Promotion

 

This study used young mice (5 to 6 weeks old SPF ICR mice) that did not carry specific pathogens and whose organs had gradually matured as experimental subjects. They were continuously supplemented for 14 days with different doses of the Reishi compound formulas PGB or GBS administered orally, or with single ingredients corresponding to the high doses of PGB or GBS. Another group of mice was fed physiological saline as a control for the other experimental groups.

 

 

The assessment method for antifatigue involved binding a lead block weighing approximately 5% of the mouse's body weight to the mice after 14 days of continuous supplementation with the Reishi compound formulas or their ingredients. The mice were then placed in water to swim, and the experiment was terminated immediately if a mouse submerged for more than 5 seconds (indicating physical exhaustion) to prevent drowning. The longer the swimming duration before submersion, the better the antifatigue capacity represented.

 

The assessment method for sleep promotion involved intraperitoneally injecting the sedative drug "pentobarbital" to induce sleep in the mice. The time required for the mice to fall asleep (sleep latency) and the total duration of sleep were measured as indicators of the effects of different Reishi compound formulas and their ingredients on sleep quality.

 

Different compound formulas and their ingredients each offer unique strengths.

 

The compound formula PGB of "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali" can combat fatigue.

 

The results showed that the mice supplemented with the compound formula PGB swam the longest while carrying weight, indicating that the combination of Ganoderma lucidum and Paecilomyces hepiali has a significant antifatigue effect, with the high dosage being notably more effective than the low dosage.

 

 

The compound formula GBS of "Ganoderma lucidum + Ganoderma sinense" can promote sleep.

 

In contrast, the compound formula GBS, which has a moderate antifatigue effect, significantly reduced the time it took for the mice to fall asleep and extended the total sleep duration after 14 days of continuous supplementation, indicating that the combination of Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma sinense has a good sleep-promoting effect.

 

 

 

Reishi materials generally have antifatigue effects.

 

This study also evaluated the antifatigue functions of various ingredients in the compound formulas. The results showed that sporoderm-broken Ganoderma lucidum spore powder (GB), the two groups of Reishi extracts (GE), and Ganoderma sinense ultra-fine powder (GS) all significantly extended the weight-bearing swimming time of the mice, with the spore powder and extracts demonstrating the best effects. Interestingly, Paecilomyces hepiali mycelium powder (PH), which can combat fatigue when paired with Reishi, did not show any special performance when used alone.

 

 

Most Reishi materials can facilitate falling asleep.

 

In terms of sleep, Paecilomyces hepiali mycelium powder (PH), sproderm-broken Ganoderma lucidum spore powder (GB), higher doses of Ganoderma lucidum extract (GE-GBS), and Ganoderma sinense ultra-fine powder (GS) all shortened sleep onset time, with sporoderm-broken Ganoderma lucidum spore powder and Ganoderma sinense ultra-fine powder showing the best effects.

 

 

Only Ganoderma lucidum extract can significantly extend sleep.

 

Among the compound formula ingredients, only Ganoderma lucidum extract can significantly prolong sleep. The higher dose of Ganoderma lucidum extract (GE-GBS) can be said to encompass antifatigue effects, facilitate falling asleep, and extend sleep duration.

 

 

Reishi compound formulas can improve biochemical markers related to fatigue or sleep.

 

The researchers conducted further analysis on which biochemical markers related to fatigue and sleep were improved by the compound formula PGB of "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali" and the compound GBS of "Ganoderma lucidum + Ganoderma sinense."

 

Higher glycogen levels in muscles and the liver indicate better energy reserve capacity.

 

During exercise, the depletion of muscle glycogen leads to decreased muscle strength, and the depletion of liver glycogen results in lowered blood sugar, both of which are key factors in fatigue. In this study, mice supplemented with a high dose of the compound formula PGB of "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali" showed significantly higher glycogen levels in their muscles and liver after 14 days, indicating that PGB enhances the body's energy reserve capacity.

 

 

 

Reduction in serum lactate and urea nitrogen indicates superior energy metabolism capacity.

 

In the first two to three minutes of intense exercise, high energy demands force muscles to rapidly generate energy through glycolysis, leading to a significant increase in lactate levels in the blood. However, as exercise continues, the lactate is transported to the liver to be converted into new energy, supplying the physical strength needed for continued activity. Therefore, blood lactate levels are inversely proportional to exercise endurance (antifatigue capacity).

 

When the body's carbohydrates or fats are insufficient to meet energy demands during exercise, proteins are utilized to generate energy, leading to an increase in the metabolic byproduct "urea nitrogen." Thus, blood urea nitrogen is considered one of the indicators of exercise fatigue; higher levels correspond to greater fatigue and poorer exercise endurance.

 

According to the experiments of this study, regardless of whether mice were supplemented with a high or low dose of the compound formula PGB of "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali," serum lactate and urea nitrogen levels were significantly reduced after 14 days. This indicates an improvement in the body’s energy metabolism capacity or the ability to eliminate metabolic byproducts in response to exercise demands.

 

 

 

Reduction of malondialdehyde in the liver or muscles indicates stronger antioxidant capacity.

 

Additionally, high-intensity exercise and insomnia promote the generation of oxygen free radicals. The more malondialdehyde (MDA) produced from the destruction of cell membranes by these oxygen free radicals, the more severe the oxidative damage to tissues and organs (such as muscle fiber damage leading to muscular soreness). As MDA accumulates, it increases feelings of fatigue and stress from poor sleep, creating a vicious cycle.

 

In this study, mice continuously supplemented with the PGB compound formula for 14 days, regardless of the dosage, showed significant reductions in malondialdehyde levels in the liver and muscles. Similarly, mice continuously supplemented with the GBS compound formula for 14 days, regardless of dosage, also exhibited a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels in their muscles. This demonstrates that both the combination of "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali" and the pairing of "Ganoderma lucidum + Ganoderma sinense" can provide protective effects for muscle and liver tissues through antioxidant pathways, alleviating fatigue and sleep-related stress.

 

 

 

Both Reishi compound formulas and their ingredients demonstrate high edible safety.

 

Researchers noted that the changes in biochemical indicators due to the "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali" compound formula PGB and the "Ganoderma lucidum + Ganoderma sinense" compound formula GBS remained within safe ranges, with no significant adverse effects on the major organ tissues of the mice. The weight changes in the mice were also normal, indicating that these two Reishi compound formulas provide antifatigue or sleep-enhancing effects while exhibiting excellent edible safety, allowing for effective and safe consumption.

 

 

 

Choosing the right Reishi can combat fatigue and improve sleep.

 

Despite advances in medical science, the issues of "easily fatigued" and "poor sleep" continue to trouble modern individuals and remain difficult to resolve. Fortunately, Reishi can soothe both the body and mind, providing comfort to restless spirits.

 

This research confirms that the "Ganoderma lucidum + Paecilomyces hepiali" compound formula PGB aids in antifatigue, while the "Ganoderma lucidum + Ganoderma sinense" compound formula GBS promotes better sleep. Each Reishi ingredient in these compound formulas has its own strengths—sporoderm-broken Ganoderma lucidum spore powder and Ganoderma sinense fruiting body ultrafine powder both contribute to antifatigue and faster sleep onset, while the Ganoderma lucidum extract, composed of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the fruiting body, combines all three benefits: antifatigue, quicker sleep onset, and extended sleep duration.

 

Moreover, the experimental results indicate that the antifatigue and sleep-enhancing effects of different Reishi ingredients cannot be generalized. When various Reishi ingredients are combined with other materials at different dosages, the resulting functions cannot be simply inferred as a sum; they must be scientifically examined to reveal their true efficacy.

 

Does the Reishi compound formula product or single ingredient product you consume also help alleviate fatigue and improve sleep? We hope you have found an effective and safe wellness solution.

 

Source: Kexin Li, The anti-fatigue and sleep-aiding effects vary significantly among different recipes containing Ganoderma lucidum extracts. Heliyon, May 8, 2024; 10(10): e30907. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30907.

 

END

 

★ This article is exclusively authorized by the author for publication, and its ownership belongs to GanoHerb.

★ The above works cannot be reproduced, excerpted or used in other ways without the authorization of GanoHerb.

★ Those who have been authorized to use the works should use them within the scope of authorization and indicate the source: GanoHerb.

★ GanoHerb will pursue legal responsibilities against those who violate the above statement.

★ 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.