Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a perennial, wood‑decaying basidiomycete native to East Asia that has been cultivated for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Its fruiting bodies contain a rich array of bioactive compounds (e.g., triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and sterols) that are studied for their potential to modulate immunity, oxidative stress, and metabolic balance, making it a popular botanical supplement for overall health support.

• Hallmark Constituents: The hallmark constituents are lanostane‑type triterpenoids (e.g., ganoderic acid A: C₃₀H₄₈O₈, IUPAC: (24S)-24‑hydroxy‑3,4‑dimethyl‑17‑(2‑methoxy‑2‑oxo‑ethyl)‑lanost-8‑en‑26‑oic acid) and β‑glucan polysaccharides (β‑(1→3)‑D‑glucose backbone with β‑(1→6) branches, molecular weight 10⁴–10⁵ Da).
• Triterpenoid Structure: The triterpenoid core features a tetracyclic lanostane skeleton (four fused rings, 5‑membered ring C) with multiple hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups conferring antioxidant activity.
• Polysaccharide Properties: Polysaccharides are water‑soluble, high‑molecular‑weight polymers that form viscous solutions, facilitating Dectin‑1 binding.
• Minor Components: Other minor components include ergosterol (C₂₈H₄₄O) and phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic, gallic acid).
• Overall Effect: The combined structural diversity underlies the broad pharmacological profile.

• Wild Source: Wild G. lucidum grows on decaying hardwoods across China, Japan, and Korea.
• Commercial Source: Commercial supplements mainly use cultivated fruiting bodies grown on sterilized hardwood sawdust or rice‑based substrates under controlled temperature (25–30 °C) and humidity (80–90 %).
• Extraction Methods: Extraction typically follows hot‑water or ethanol‑water (70 % ethanol) protocols that preserve polysaccharides and triterpenoids, followed by spray‑drying or freeze‑drying to produce powders, capsules, or liquid extracts.
• Quality Markers:
  • Polysaccharide content ≥30 % (phenol‑sulfuric assay)
  • Triterpenoid content ≥0.5 % (HPLC)
• Quality Assurance: Third‑party testing for heavy metals, microbial contaminants, and mycotoxins is essential; reputable brands use GMP‑certified facilities and provide certificates of analysis (COA) to ensure consistency and safety.