Researchers Find Help against Diabetic Complications from Common Mushroom
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The white underside of the mushroom Artist Conk (Ganoderma applanatum) turns brown when bruised and can be intricately etched into detailed carvings, hence the English common name of this ubiquitous American tree fungus.
Artist Conks can live for 50 years and grow to arms width or more. David Arora of the mushroom identification guide Mushrooms Demystified says that along with the Red-belted Conk (Fomitopsis pinicola), Artist Conk is “the most common conk in our area [USA].” [400]
Ganoderma applanatum (Artist Conk) grows on nearly all species of hardwood, and even on some conifers such as Douglas Fir. “The only regions where it seems to be absent are those where there aren’t any trees!” says Arora. [400]
In the past, people would burn Artist Conk to give off an insect repellant smoke as well as an odor that was also pleasant to humans. [25]
In 2008, a study by Jeong et al. stated that an isolated compound from Artist Conk “significantly inhibited the growth of solid tumor [Sarcoma-180] and increased the natural killer (NK) cell activity.” [401] NK cells, or Natural Killer cells, are white blood cells that form a vital part in the human immune system’s cancer fighting arsenal. At least four additional studies have also reported positive findings in regards to the anti-tumor properties of Ganoderma applanatum. [402, 403, 404, 405]
An area more unique to the research on this particular mushroom species is its influence on blood sugar levels and preventing diabetic complications. A 2007 study concluded that an isolate from Artist Conk lowered blood sugar levels by an average of 22.0% and blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) by 20.3% [406] The lowering effect on blood glucose levels by an alcohol extract of Ganoderma applanatum had been previously reported by Jung et al. in 2005. [407]
Perhaps of even greater interest than the blood glucose lowering effect of Artist Conk is its potential to help inhibit diabetic complications, which was the main focus of the 2005 study by Jung et al. It is commonly believed in the scientific community that the enzyme aldose reductase is largely responsible for the organ complications seen in diabetes. No less than three studies on Artist Conk extract have reported that it powerfully inhibits aldose reductase activity, thus suggesting a potential protective effect against diabetic complications. [407, 408, 409] “These results suggested that G. applanatum [Artist Conk] might possess constituents with anti-diabetic and inhibitory effects on diabetic complications,” concludes Jung.
An unusual article published in 2005 reported that a polysaccharide extract from Artist Conk “could strengthen gastric mucosa barrier,” a potentially useful property when treating ulcers. [410] Several other studies have found Artist Conk extract or isolated compounds from Artist Conk to be anti-bacterial, [411, 412, 413] anti-viral, [414] anti-parasitic, [415] immune enhancing, [25] diuretic, [415] and potently antioxidant. [416]
In addition, Paul Stamets also lists respiratory conditions and inflammation as areas where research has shown Artist Conk extract to be beneficial, in his book Mycelium Running. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner.
Dr. Rafael has worked in the natural health field since finishing Chiropractic College in 1996. He currently specializes in medicinal fungi, working with the extracts of Paul Stamets, including the synergistic MycoSoft Formula including Artist Conk. For scientific references to this article, please visit the Ganoderma applanatum medicinal research page.
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