Researchers Find Help against Diabetic Complications from Common Mushroom
The English common name for the tree mushroom Ganoderma applanatum is 'Artist Conk,' due to the fact that the light pores on its underbelly stain brown when etched, thus supplying a nature-made canvas for artists.
Artist Conk is a perennial that can live for 40-50 years or longer and grow quite large. Mushroom expert David Arora calls it "the most common conk in our area [USA]," together with Red-belted Conk (Fomitopsis pinicola). [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]
Our ancestors would burn Artist Conk because it produced not only a pleasant odor but an insect repelling smoke as well. [25]
As is common in modern medical science, much of the recent research on Artist Conk extract has been focused on its cancer fighting properties. In a study conducted in 2008, Jeong et al. concluded that a compound [exo-biopolymer] isolated from Artist Conk "significantly inhibited the growth of solid tumor [Sarcoma-180] and increased the natural killer (NK) cell activity." [401] (Natural killer cell is a type of white blood cell that is of particular importance in the human body's natural defense against cancer.) Several other studies have also found Artist Conk extract to possess anti-tumor properties. [402, 403, 404, 405]
Another area of interest in the study of Artist Conk extract has been its effect on blood sugar and potential to inhibit some of the complications of diabetes. A study in 2007 found that a compound extracted from Artist Conk was able to lower the glucose levels in body fluids by 22.0%, and cholesterol and triglyceride levels by 20.3%. [406] The glucose lowering effect of an alcohol extract of Artist Conk was previously noted in a study by Jung in 2005. [407]
However, the main purpose of the 2005 study by Jung was to assess Artist Conk's effect on inhibiting aldose reductase, an enzyme that's considered responsible for the organ complications seen in diabetics. It is commonly believed that inhibiting aldose reductase in diabetics could have a major effect on decreasing side-effects of diabetes. Jung reports that "these results suggested that G. applanatum [Artist Conk] might possess constituents with anti-diabetic and inhibitory effects on diabetic complications." [407] Two other studies have also found Artist Conk exhibiting significant aldose reductase inhibiting properties. [408, 409]
Looking at other research on Artist Conk, a 2005 study reported a polysaccharide extract of Artist Conk as strengthening the gastric mucosa barrier, useful in cases gastric ulcers. [410] Other papers have reported Artist Conk extracts as anti-viral, [414] anti-bacterial, [411, 412, 413] anti-parasitic and diuretic, [415] antioxidant, [416] and immune boosting. [25]
In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists inflammation and respiratory conditions as areas where research has shown Artist Conk extract to have a beneficial effect. [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 with natural health since finishing Chiropractic University in 1996. He currently focuses on medicinal mushrooms, working with the extracts of Paul Stamets, including the synergistic MycoSoft Gold Formula with Artist Conk. For research references to this article, please go to the Ganoderma applanatum research page.