A Phase I/II Study of a Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. (Ling Zhi, Reishi Mushroom) Extract in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Authors: Yihuai Gao, Shufeng Zhou, Guoliang Chen, Xihu Dai, Jingxian Ye

Journal: International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

Study Design:

• Intervention: Ganopoly (G. lucidum extract) or placebo for 12 weeks
• Participants: 90 patients with chronic hepatitis B, HBV DNA positivity, and elevated aminotransferase levels
• Outcome Measures:
  • Levels of HBV DNA and aminotransferase activities in serum
  • Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status

Summary: This study investigated the safety and efficacy of Ganopoly, a Ganoderma lucidum extract, in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The results showed that Ganopoly was well-tolerated and appeared to be active against HBV. 25% of patients receiving Ganopoly responded by reducing HBeAg and HBV DNA, compared to 4% in the placebo group. Additionally, 33% of treated patients had normal aminotransferase levels, and 13% cleared hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from serum, while none of the controls did. These findings suggest that Ganopoly may be a promising treatment for chronic hepatitis B.