Hepatitis

One of the most important and multi-functional organ in our body is the liver. Its functions include; proteins fats, and carbohydrates metabolism, sugar, vitamins and minerals storage, bile creation, blood cfiltration, drugs, alcohol and other chemicals detoxification etc. In the case of hepatitis, these group of viruses (hepatitis A, B, C, and D viruses) causes impairment in some of these functions. Chronic effect of hepatitis usually results to serious liver damage and liver failure.

Ganoderma lucidum has no direct anti-hepatic virus effect to counteract hepatitis. It is through immunoregulation and liver protective action that made it potent herb in treatment patients with hepatitis. Clinical studies showed that the polysaccharides in Ganoderma can prevent hepatic fibrosis.

Its triterpenes on the other hand play as an important liver protective ingredient of the Ganoderma. Its action is attributed to its high antioxidant activity. Triterpenes can reduce the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA) and also increases the liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione content in studies using mice with liver damage. In another study concerning the inhibition of hepatits virus, it was found out that ganoderic acid can inhibit the replication of hepatitis B and that it was not toxic to hepatic cells.

Completing anti-hepatitis action is its imunoregulating activity. It increases the immune system specifically the function of mononuclear macrophages such as natural killer (NK)cells and T and B lymphocytes and the release of cellular immune factors such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon γ (IFN γ). These trigger a response in cases of bacterial and viral invasion in the body which in this casehepatitis viruses will be contained by the immunological cells before it can make further damage to the body.

To learn more about Ganoderma in the Philippines and its therapeutic effects, please read Ganoderma lucidum therapeutic effects > Hypercholesterolemia