Exploring New Insights: From Clinical Applications in Angina Patients, We Uncover the Antioxidant and Vascular-Protective Potential of Ganoderma Polysaccharide Peptides

[Key Point] If arteriosclerosis has already progressed to a rather serious stage—or even if symptoms of cardiac discomfort have already appeared—would it still be beneficial to start taking Lingzhi at this point? According to a three-month clinical study conducted by the Faculty of Medicine at Brawijaya University in Indonesia and its affiliated hospital, involving “34 patients with stable angina” and “37 patients at high risk of angina,” it’s never too late to start taking Lingzhi.

Atherosclerosis can be considered the primary cause of coronary artery disease (also known as coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease). The cardiovascular-protective effects of Lingzhi have also been scientifically confirmed by numerous studies. However, if the degree of arterial hardening has already reached a rather severe stage—or if symptoms of cardiac discomfort have already begun to appear—would taking Lingzhi at this point still be beneficial?

The clinical observation report published in the September/October 2018 issue of the Indian Heart Journal by the Faculty of Medicine at Brawijaya University in Indonesia and its affiliated hospital, Saiful Anwar General Hospital, may be worth our consideration.

Subjects participating in the trial & Ganoderma preparations

This small-scale clinical observation conducted in a hospital involved two groups of participants: one group consisted of 34 patients diagnosed with stable angina, and the other group comprised 37 patients at high risk for angina.

The former already exhibits symptoms of myocardial ischemia and will only trigger angina when the heart's workload increases to a certain level—such as during intense exercise or emotional excitement—but the symptoms quickly subside upon rest or medication. The latter, on the other hand, has been predicted by a professional assessment tool (the Framingham Risk Score) to have the highest risk of experiencing a heart attack over the next ten years—exceeding 20%.

In other words, these subjects all exhibited a considerable degree of atherosclerosis—particularly those with stable angina, in whom arterial hardening has narrowed the vessel diameter to the point that it’s already affecting blood flow to the heart (myocardium).

Under the condition of not altering their original lifestyle or medication regimen, the researchers administered a 750 mg daily dose of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide-peptide preparation to both groups of subjects for three consecutive months.

The so-called "Ganoderma polysaccharide peptide" is, in fact, what is commonly referred to as Ganoderma polysaccharide. Since Ganoderma polysaccharides invariably contain small amounts of protein components (peptides), the term "Ganoderma polysaccharide peptide" appears to more accurately reflect their actual chemical composition. However, regardless of the name used, what is ultimately being referred to are the active ingredients in Ganoderma water extracts—primarily polysaccharides—that exhibit immunomodulatory effects.

After taking ganoderma polysaccharide peptides for three months, the condition of my blood vessels has significantly improved.

The trial results showed that, compared to baseline, both groups of subjects exhibited significant improvements in blood markers associated with oxidative damage and damage to the vascular wall—the layer of vascular tissue directly in contact with blood flow.

1. Reduced MDA, a marker of oxidative damage

MDA (malondialdehyde) is a byproduct formed when cell membranes are damaged by free-radical oxidation. MDA itself is also a free radical and can further cause oxidative damage to other cells. Therefore, a lower concentration of MDA in the blood indicates that the vascular walls have sustained relatively mild oxidative damage and that there are fewer free radicals capable of harming the vessel walls.

As shown in the figure below, after consuming ganoderma polysaccharide peptides for 3 months, the MDA concentration in the blood of both groups of subjects was significantly reduced.

2. Increased antioxidant enzyme SOD

SOD (superoxide dismutase) is the body’s primary antioxidant enzyme, capable of neutralizing the oxidative effects of free radicals. Therefore, the higher its concentration, the fewer opportunities there are for free radicals to cause damage.

As shown in the figure below, after three months of consuming Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptides, the SOD concentration in the blood of both groups of subjects increased. This increase was particularly pronounced in patients with stable angina. Therefore, it can be inferred that the enhancement of antioxidant enzymes is one of the mechanisms by which Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptides reduce free-radical-induced oxidative damage.

3. Fewer endothelial cells (CECs) detach from the vessel walls.

The vascular wall is composed of endothelial cells. Endothelial cells play a crucial role in maintaining the smoothness of the vascular wall, preserving vascular elasticity, and regulating blood pressure—they can be regarded as the gatekeepers of vascular health. Damage to endothelial cells caused by free radicals is a key step in promoting the onset and progression of atherosclerosis.

Damaged endothelial cells can detach from the vessel walls and enter the bloodstream. These detached endothelial cells are referred to as CECs (circulating endothelial cells). Therefore, the higher the number of CECs in the blood, the more severe the damage to the vessel walls and the greater the risk of atherosclerosis.

As shown in the figure below, after three months of consuming ganoderma polysaccharide peptides, CEC levels in the blood of both groups of subjects significantly decreased, indicating a marked improvement in vascular wall damage.

4. Fewer endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are available to repair blood vessel walls.

EPCs (endothelial progenitor cells), which originate from the bone marrow, can further differentiate into mature endothelial cells. They not only support the turnover of endothelial cells in the vessel walls but also secrete special proteins that help repair damaged vessel walls.

The number of EPCs in the bloodstream varies depending on the body’s condition: the more severe the damage to the vessel walls, the more EPCs will enter the bloodstream from the bone marrow; conversely, as the need for repair diminishes, the number of EPCs in the bloodstream will naturally decrease.

As shown in the figure below, after consuming ganoderma polysaccharide peptides for 3 months, the blood of the two groups of subjects... And E PC levels were significantly reduced. Since CECs—representing damage to the vascular wall—also decreased, it’s possible that after taking ganoderma polysaccharide peptides for three months, the condition of vascular wall damage has been alleviated to the point where fewer EPCs are needed.

5. Slight decrease in blood pressure

Comparing blood pressure changes before and after the trial, we found that both systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed a slight downward trend in both groups of subjects. Hypertension (blood pressure exceeding 140/90 mmHg) is a major risk factor for damage to the vascular walls and for promoting atherosclerosis. Long-term consumption of Lingzhi clearly has positive implications for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.

No new symptoms of myocardial ischemia appeared during the trial.

Based on the above experimental results, whether in patients with stable angina or high-risk patients, long-term adjuvant therapy with ganoderma polysaccharide peptides can still exert a protective effect on vascular walls that have already undergone atherosclerosis. One of the mechanisms by which ganoderma polysaccharide peptides protect vascular walls is by reducing oxidative damage to the vessel walls caused by free radicals.

When the damage to the vessel walls is reduced, the progression of atherosclerosis will slow down, the narrowing of the coronary arteries will also decelerate, the likelihood of blockages will decrease further, and the blood supply to the myocardium will become more stable. As a result, angina caused by sudden myocardial ischemia will be less likely to occur.

Such a tightly interconnected causal relationship makes sense in theory, but how does it hold up in practice? Judging from the fact that none of the subjects showed any new symptoms of myocardial ischemia during the three-month trial period, the protective effects of ganoderma polysaccharide peptides have at least gotten off to a good start. And a good start is already half the battle won.

[Source] Sargowo D, et al. The role of polysaccharide peptide of Ganoderma lucidum as a potent antioxidant against atherosclerosis in high-risk and stable angina patients. Indian Heart J. 2018 Sep-Oct;70(5):608-614.

[About the Author / Wu Tingyao]

Having reported firsthand news about Lingzhi since 1999, he continues to do so to this day and is the author of “Lingzhi: Marvelous Beyond Words” (published by People’s Medical Publishing House in April 2017).

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