Immunomodulatory efficacy and safety of Ganoderma lucidum broken spore supplement in patients after chemotherapy

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Published: Dec 1, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/sehs.2022.41
Keywords:
chemotherapy Ganoderma lucidum immunoglobulin quality of life Reishi safety

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Philailak Tangkhaphiphat
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center of Excellence in Bioactive Resources for Innovative Clinical Applications, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Tippawan Siritientong
Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Sureerat Jaruhathai
Department of Medicine, Police General Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Nattha Pipopchaiyasit
Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
Tanchanok Ratanajarusiri
Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
Pornanong Aramwit
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center of Excellence in Bioactive Resources for Innovative Clinical Applications, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand / Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand. Corresponding author's e-mail: aramwit@gmail.com

Abstract

The immune system requires a long time to recover following chemotherapy completion. Ganoderma lucidum broken spores (GLBS) have a strong immunomodulatory effect. This study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory efficacy, quality of life, and safety of GLBS in patients after the chemotherapy completion. Forty-four participants were equally randomized to take GLBS 750 mg per day for 8 weeks or a placebo. Immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE) levels, complete blood counts, liver functions, renal functions, and adverse events were measured at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Quality of life was assessed before and after study participation. At 8 weeks, white blood cell and absolute neutrophil count levels in the GLBS group significantly increased (p=0.031 and 0.021, respectively). However, the other immune levels in the GLBS group showed no significant difference from the placebo group. No significantly changes were observed in renal and liver functions. Mild adverse events, such as dry mouth, were found. Furthermore, the quality of life in the GLBS group tended to be better than the placebo group. According to the results, GLBS consumption tended to improve quality of life without serious adverse events and stimulates some immune cells in patients after the completion of chemotherapy.

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How to Cite
Tangkhaphiphat, P., Siritientong, T., Jaruhathai, S., Pipopchaiyasit, N., Ratanajarusiri, T., & Aramwit, P. (2022). Immunomodulatory efficacy and safety of Ganoderma lucidum broken spore supplement in patients after chemotherapy. Science, Engineering and Health Studies, 16, 22050017. https://doi.org/10.14456/sehs.2022.41
Issue
Volume 16, 2022
Section
Health sciences
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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