A phase I/II study of ling zhi mushroom ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.: Fr.) LIoyd (Aphyllophoromycetideae) extract in patients with coronary heart disease

The polysaccharides and triterpenes isolated from Ganoderma lucidum have shown hypolipidemic, hypotensive, and antithrombotic effects. This double-blind, randomized, multicentered study was designed to evaluate the clinical effects and safety of extracted G. lucidum polysaccharides (Ganopoly) in patients with confirmed coronary heart disease (CHD). Patients were randomly assigned to receive Ganopoly (n = 88) or placebo (n = 82) for 12 weeks. Effects of therapy on improvement of major symptoms, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, and serum cholesterol level were investigated. Ten patients were lost to the trial, leaving 80 in each group to be assessed after 12 weeks. The results indicate that patients in both groups were similar with respect to age, gender, serum cholesterol level, and disease duration. Ganopoly treatment gave a significantly higher improved percentage (31.6−54.7%) of the primary symptoms (chest pain, palpitation, angina pectoris, and shortness of breath) in CHD patients compared to the control group (17.2−24.7%). The percentage of abnormal ECG also significantly decreased from 74 to 55% in the treatment group, compared to a decrease of 76 to 74% in the control group. Ganopoly treatment also resulted in a significant decrease of blood pressure, whereas control group did not. The diastolic pressure was decreased by ≥10 mmHg in 22.5% patients receiving Ganopoly. The average blood pressure (systolic/diastolic, 142.5/96.4 mmHg) in this group was reduced to 135.1/92.8 mmHg after 12 weeks of treatment. Serum cholesterol levels decreased significantly after 12 weeks of Ganopoly therapy to the baseline values, whereas cholesterol levels remained unchanged in the control group. Ganopoly is well tolerated and appeared to be active in patients with CHD.