Spore Powder ofGanoderma lucidumImproves Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Endocrine Therapy: A Pilot Clinical Trial

Abstract

The fatigue prevalence in breast cancer survivors is high during the endocrine treatment. However, there are few evidence-based interventions to manage this symptom. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum for cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy. Spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum is a kind of Basidiomycete which is a widely used traditional medicine in China. 48 breast cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue undergoing endocrine therapy were randomized into the experimental or control group. FACT-F, HADS, and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires data were collected at baseline and 4 weeks after treatment. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, and liver-kidney functions were measured before and after intervention. The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in the domains of physical well-being and fatigue subscale after intervention. These patients also reported less anxiety and depression and better quality of life. Immune markers of CRF were significantly lower and no serious adverse effects occurred during the study. This pilot study suggests that spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum may have beneficial effects on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy without any significant adverse effect.

From 2000years of Ganoderma lucidum to recent developments in nutraceuticals

“…Neuro-protective effect G. lucidum is believed to have a neuro-protective effect and this notion is supported by work carried out by Zhang et al (2011) and Zhao et al (2011), wherein a mixture of triterpenoid compounds in G. lucidum, including methyl GA-A (6), methyl GA-B (7), GA-S1 (8), and GA-TQ (9) (Fig. 6), promoted neuronal survival and reduced fatigue (Zhang et al, 2011;Zhao et al, 2012). In addition, the potential use of this fungus for the treatment of neurological diseases has also been examined.…”

Detection of Ganoderic Acid A in Ganoderma lingzhi by an Indirect Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

“…They are a group of wood-degrading mushrooms with hard fruiting bodies comprising a pileus, spore, and stipe [1]. For over a century, Ganoderma species extracts have been traditionally used as a Chinese medicinal mushroom for the treatment of hepatitis [2,3], cancer-related fatigue and immune functions [4,5], neurasthenia [6], and cancer [7], where Ganoderma extract has been shown to have anticancer activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells [8,9], 95-D lung cancer cells [10], PC-3 prostate cancer cells [9], and HUC-PC and MTC-11 bladder cancer cells [11]. To date, more than 100 ganoderic acids, a kind of highly oxygenated C30 lanostanetype triterpenoid, have been isolated from Ganoderma species [1] and they were active forms that exert various pharmacological activities, as mentioned above.…”

The Impact of Complementary and Alternative Medicines on Cancer Symptoms, Treatment Side Effects, Quality of Life, and Survival in Women With Breast Cancer—A Systematic Review

“…There is some evidence suggesting some CAM may be beneficial in treating the outcomes previously mentioned. Specifically, guarana and Ganoderma lucidum may be beneficial in treating fatigue amongst breast cancer patients (40,45) whereas QOL may be improved by use of Ganoderma lucidum, essiac, and Chinese medicinal herbal mixtures including YZDS and THL-P (33,34,38,40). Another Chinese medicinal herbal mixture, Shu-gan-liang-xue may also be beneficial in alleviating menopausal symptoms (35).…”

“…However higher frequency use (i.e., >31.8 times/month compared to nonusers) was associated with higher overall and social QOL (P-for-trend <0.05, <0.0001, respectively) (39). Another study (n D 48, 1000 mg TDS, duration D 4 wk) reported mean fatigue scores, global QOL, and depression scores improved significantly in the Ganoderma lucidum group compared to placebo from baseline to the end of the study, respectively (Ganoderma lucidum D C20.78, placebo D C1.36; Ganoderma lucidum D C13.1, placebo D C1.1; Ganoderma lucidum D C3.8, placebo D C1.0); P < 0.01 for all measures) (40). QOL fatigue symptom scores also improved significantly in the Ganoderma lucidum group compared to placebo from baseline to the end respectively (Ganoderma lucidum D ¡12.6 points, placebo D ¡2.1 points; P < 0.01) (40).…”