Cholesterol-lowering properties of Ganoderma lucidum in vitro, ex vivo, and in hamsters and minipigs

A Berger¹^,2 , D Rein¹^,3 , E Kratky¹ , I Monnard¹ , H Hajjaj¹^,4 , I Meirim¹ , C Piguet-Welsch¹ , J Hauser¹^,5 , K Mace¹ and P Niederberger¹

¹Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne 26, 1000, Switzerland

²Paradigm Genetics, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-4528, USA

³BASF Plant Science Holding GmbH, Agricultural Center, BPH-Li 555, Limburgerhof, 67114, Germany

⁴Univerity des Sciences et de Technologie de Lille, B.P. 179, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, 59653, France

⁵University of Lausanne, Institut de Biologie Cellulaire et de Morphologie, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

author email corresponding author email

Lipids in Health and Disease 2004, 3:2doi:10.1186/1476-511X-3-2


Published:	18 February 2004

Abstract

Introduction

There has been renewed interest in mushroom medicinal properties. We studied cholesterol lowering properties of Ganoderma lucidum (Gl), a renowned medicinal species.

Results

Organic fractions containing oxygenated lanosterol derivatives inhibited cholesterol synthesis in T9A4 hepatocytes. In hamsters, 5% Gl did not effect LDL; but decreased total cholesterol (TC) 9.8%, and HDL 11.2%. Gl (2.5 and 5%) had effects on several fecal neutral sterols and bile acids. Both Gl doses reduced hepatic microsomal ex-vivo HMG-CoA reductase activity. In minipigs, 2.5 Gl decreased TC, LDL- and HDL cholesterol 20, 27, and 18%, respectively (P < 0.05); increased fecal cholestanol and coprostanol; and decreased cholate.

Conclusions

Overall, Gl has potential to reduce LDL cholesterol in vivo through various mechanisms. Next steps are to: fully characterize bioactive components in lipid soluble/insoluble fractions; evaluate bioactivity of isolated fractions; and examine human cholesterol lowering properties. Innovative new cholesterol-lowering foods and medicines containing Gl are envisioned.