The Anticancer and Hepatoprotective Effects of the Medicinal Fungus Shushe (Ganoderma applanatum)

Shushe, also called Laomu Jun, Chise Laomu Jun, Bianzhi, Fengshuzhi, Muerduo, and Mulingzhi, is the fruiting body of the Polyporaceae Ganoderma fungus Ganoderma applanatum (Pers. ex Wallr.) Pat., which grows on the trunks of various broadleaf trees. Folk practice commonly uses the specimen growing on the native soappod tree (Zaojiao); this may be related to the TCM use of Zhuya Zao, Zaojiao, and Zaojiaoci (gleditsia and its thorns) to treat sores and ulcers.

Folk use Shushe mainly for anticancer purposes. It is mainly used for cancers such as esophageal and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, taken by decoction at 30–60 g each time. There are also records of using Shushe for chronic pharyngitis.

For example, the Zhongguo Minjian Shengcaoyuanse Tupu (Atlas of Original Color Folk Herbal Medicines of China) records using “Shushe 90 g, honey 60 ml, decocted in water and divided into 3 doses, drunk slowly, to treat chronic pharyngitis,” and also records “Shushe 30 g, Puguaizi (fan palm seeds) 30 g, decocted in water and divided into 3 doses, to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma.” The Zhongguo Yongyong Zhenjun (Medicinal Fungi of China) records Shushe treating esophageal cancer: “Chise Laomu Jun (that growing on the soappod tree) 30 g, stewed with pig heart and lung, taken 2–3 times a day.”

Shushe not only has tumor-suppressing effects on esophageal and nasopharyngeal carcinoma; pharmacological experiments show that it also has a certain inhibitory effect on gastric cancer, liver cancer, sarcoma S180, and other cancers.

Shushe polysaccharide GF can increase the percentage of CD4 and CD8 T cells in the peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice, restore the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, and achieve antitumor effects by enhancing T-cell immune function. Shushe polysaccharide GF can also activate the phagocytic rate of macrophages and increase the phagocytic index; activated macrophages can selectively kill malignant cells. Its antitumor effect is mainly attributed to the production of TNF leading to tumor cell death, and it can also inhibit tumor growth by enhancing the nonspecific immune function of tumor-bearing animals. Shushe polysaccharide can significantly inhibit the cell proliferation of HepA (ascites-type hepatoma).

Shushe is a medicinal fungus that can enhance immunity. At concentrations of 125–500 ug/ml, Shushe polysaccharide can mildly and directly stimulate the transformation of mouse spleen cells in vitro, with the 500 ug/ml dose being best, and can synergize with concanavalin A (Con A) to activate mouse T-lymphocyte proliferation. In vivo, the RNA in Shushe extract can induce mouse spleen cells to produce interferon-like substances.

Shushe does not appear in ancient TCM books; in modern times it was only gradually noticed by researchers because of folk use, and related pharmacological studies were then carried out. So there is not much clinical data on Shushe, and there are as yet no clinical data on its anticancer use in humans. But in folk practice, many people still use Shushe against cancer, though efficacy data are hard to tally.

Shushe has hepatoprotective and cholagogic effects and has a special efficacy against liver diseases. So many Chinese patent medicines for liver disease contain Shushe, such as Ganbifu capsules (or soft capsules), compound Shushe tablets, and Weigan Futai tablets; the above drugs are basically used to treat hepatitis B, persistent hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and drug-induced liver injury.