This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Web of Science (5) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kwok, Y. Articles by Man, R. Y. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kwok, Y. Articles by Man, R. Y. K. Related Collections Blood Pharmacology

---

ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Platelet and Global Hemostatic Effects of Ganoderma Lucidum (Ling-Zhi) in Healthy Volunteers

Yung Kwok, FHKCA^*, Kwok F. J. Ng, FANZCA, Carina C. F. Li, FANZCA^*, Clarence C. K. Lam, MRCPath, and Ricky Y. K. Man, PhD

*Department of Anaesthesiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Division of Haematology, Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, and Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Address correspondence and reprint requests to K. F. J. Ng, FANZCA, Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Room 424, Block K, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China. Address e-mail to jkfng{at}hkucc.hku.hk.

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Ganoderma lucidum is a Chinese herbal medicine popular with cancer patients. Previous in vitro studies suggested that Ganoderma lucidum might impair hemostasis. In this prospective, randomized double-blind study, healthy volunteers received orally Ganoderma lucidum capsules 1.5 g (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) daily for 4 wk. We monitored subjects before drug administration and at 4 and 8 wk thereafter by routine coagulation screen, fibrinogen concentration, von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor activity, platelet function analyzer PFA-100®, and thrombelastography. There were no significant between-group differences and all measurements remained within the normal range. Ganoderma lucidum ingestion over 4 wk was not associated with impairment of hemostasis.

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
The use of herbal medicine is increasing worldwide (1,2). Ganoderma lucidum (Ling-Zhi in Chinese) is a Chinese herb (3) that is rapidly gaining in popularity, particularly in patients with cancer (2), as it can improve immunological function (4), suppress tumor growth in vitro (5,6), and it is also a free radical scavenger (7). A survey in Hong Kong showed it to be the third-most common herbal medicine used by presurgical patients in Hong Kong (8).

One of the concerns about Ganoderma lucidum use in the perioperative period is its potential adverse effect on hemostasis. Previous studies have shown that Ganoderma lucidum may impair hemostasis as a result of the presence of ganodermic acid S and adenosine-related compounds that may cause platelet inhibition (9–11). A protease with antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activity has been isolated from Ganoderma lucidum that competitively inhibits thrombin-fibrinogen binding (12). However, some of these studies used animal blood and all were in vitro studies. We have therefore designed this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the acute effects of Ganoderma lucidum on hemostasis

	Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
With Research Ethics Committee approval and informed written consent, healthy adult volunteers were allocated randomly to receive a single treatment period of 4 wk with Ganoderma lucidum (group L) or identical-looking placebo (group P). Subjects with known bleeding disorder or taking drugs affecting hemostasis or other herbal medication were excluded.

Ganoderma lucidum was supplied as capsules (Greenvalley® Ltd., Shanghai, China), containing 500 mg active Ganoderma lucidum extract. Each subject took 1 capsule 3 times daily as recommended in the product package insert.

All subjects had blood sampling at week 0, the fourth week, and the eighth week, when 15 mL whole blood was collected from an antecubital vein and subjected to the following tests:

1. Routine hematology tests: complete blood count, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
   
2. von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor (vWF:Rco) activity and fibrinogen concentration.
   
3. Thrombelastography(TEG®; CTEG #3000, Haemoscope Corp., Skokie, IL).
   
4. Platelet function analyzer (PFA-100®; Dade-Behring, Inc., Deerfield, IL).
   

In addition subjects also answered a questionnaire on bleeding symptoms before each blood sampling.

Complete blood counts were performed on an automated cell counter (Gen-S®; Beckman-Coulter). PT and aPTT were done immediately after collection of blood samples and centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 min on an automated coagulometer (MDA-180®, Organon-Technika).

Fibrinogen level was assayed by Clauss method using a semi-automated coagulometer (CobasFibro®; Roche, Switzerland). vWF:RCo activity was assayed in batches by agglutination of lyophilized platelets (Bio/Data Corporation, PA) in dilutions of test plasma, using a platelet aggregometer (Chrono-long Corporation, PA).

Recalcified TEG® was performed as described previously (13). All conventional TEG® variables including R-time, K-time, maximum amplitude, angle (), and lysis index at 30 min and 60 min were recorded.

Samples for PFA-100® were collected in to 3.8% (0.129 M) buffered sodium citrate tubes (Vacutainer®; Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ). This was stored at room temperature and measurements were made within 1 h using 800 µL citrated whole blood with both collagen/epinephrine and collagen/adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP) cartridges, which contain a membrane coated with 2 µg of equine Type I collagen and 10 µg epinephrine bitartrate or 2 µg of equine Type I collagen and 50 µg ADP, respectively.

All subjects and investigators involved in drug dispensing and hemostatic monitoring were blinded as to the study medication taken by the subjects.

Parametric data in the two groups were compared by unpaired Student’s t-test and nonparametric data were compared by Mann-Whitney U-test or ² test as appropriate.

Statistical analysis was performed using SAS System 8.02 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Forty volunteers were recruited (Table 1). No statistically significant between-group difference was detected in any of the hematology tests, vWF:RCo activity, or fibrinogen assays or in any TEG® variables or in PFA-100® closure times (Table 2).

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
The use of alternative and herbal medications preoperatively may have serious implications in the perioperative period (14–16). Numerous herbal medications, including garlic, ginger, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), Ginkgo biloba, and others, have adverse hemostatic effects (17).

Because previous investigations on the hemostatic effects of Ganoderma lucidum were either in vitro or animal studies and showed conflicting results (9,11,12,18), the clinical relevance of Ganoderma lucidum ingestion to impairment of hemostasis during surgery remains undefined. This is the first clinical trial to evaluate such a potential risk by using a prospective randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled design.

Hemostatic function was monitored by symptom checklist, routine coagulation screen and TEG® and PFA-100® in our study. TEG® has been reported to predict blood loss, mostly in cardiac surgery (19,20), but also in trauma patients (21) and in cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding (22) and after renal biopsy (23). It is also useful in monitoring the effect of low molecular weight heparin (24), unlike PT/aPTT. However, because TEG® is insensitive to the effects of aspirin (25), we have supplemented TEG® with PFA-100®, which is primarily a platelet function monitor (26).

The two hemostatic monitors we used in this study may not have detected all the possible effects of Ganoderma lucidum on hemostasis. Unlike laboratory platelet function tests, such as aggregometry and flow cytometry, our monitors are unable to delineate the mechanism of any detected disorder. Instead of using platelet-poor plasma (PT/aPTT) and platelet-rich plasma (aggregometry), our monitors use whole blood for measurement, and this may also account for the differences in result between this study and previous ones.

The treatment and washout periods were arbitrarily set at 4 weeks. The concept of elimination half-life is less clear for herbal medications than for synthetic chemical medicines, as herbal medications always contain numerous different compounds. The effects of herbal medications are also generally more gradual. In our study, we have based the treatment and washout period on the turnover period of platelets and coagulation factors in the human body. Platelets have a lifespan of 7–10 days whereas the coagulation factors have varied half-lives, the longest being those of Factor XIII, fibrinogen, and prothrombin, which have half-lives of approximately 3–6 days. By having a 4-week treatment and washout period, all effects of Ganoderma lucidum on platelets and coagulation factors should have been fully evident at the time of measurement.

There are a number of limitations in our study. First, we have not demonstrated directly the absence of perioperative bleeding in patients taking Ganoderma lucidum. Second, we have only used a standard dose in this study; the effect of Ganoderma lucidum at larger doses may be different. Finally, our study was conducted in healthy volunteers and may not apply to many surgical patients who may have coexisting coagulopathies or be taking other medications that affect hemostasis.

We conclude that Ganoderma lucidum (Ling-Zhi capsule Greenvalley®) at a dose of 1.5 g daily is not associated with gross impairment of platelet and global hemostatic function and is unlikely to increase risk of bleeding in individuals who do not have other conditions that may interfere with hemostasis.

We thank Shanghai Greenvalley Holding Ltd who supplied both the Greenvally® LZ capsule and placebo used in this study. We also thank Mr Alan Chit, Executive Director of HPC Healthcare & Pharma Consulting International Ltd. who provided useful information concerning Ganoderma lucidum and Ms SF Tsang and Jeff Man for technical assistance. Apart from the sponsorship for drug supply, no other personal or departmental profit is related to the study.

	Footnotes

 
Supported, in part, by a research grant from the Small Project Funding Programme of the University of Hong Kong (Grant No 10204353).

Accepted for publication December 14, 2004.

	References

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 

1. Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Rosenberg L, et al. Recent patterns of medication use in the ambulatory adult population of the United States: the Slone survey. JAMA 2002;287:337–44.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Yun TK. Update from Asia. Asian studies on cancer chemoprevention. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1999;889:157–92.[Web of Science][Medline]
3. Shiao MS. Natural products of the medicinal fungus Ganoderma lucidum: occurrence, biological activities, and pharmacological functions. Chem Rec 2003;3:172–80.[Web of Science][Medline]
4. Bao XF, Wang XS, Dong Q, et al. Structural features of immunologically active polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum. Phytochemistry 2002;59:175–81.[Web of Science][Medline]
5. Hu H, Ahn NS, Yang X, et al. Ganoderma lucidum extract induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell. Int J Cancer 2002;102:250–3.[Web of Science][Medline]
6. Sliva D, Sedlak M, Slivova V, et al. Biologic activity of spores and dried powder from Ganoderma lucidum for the inhibition of highly invasive human breast and prostate cancer cells. J Altern Complement Med 2003;9:491–7.[Web of Science][Medline]
7. Zhu M, Chang Q, Wong LK, et al. Triterpene antioxidants from ganoderma lucidum. Phytother Res 1999;13:529–31.[Web of Science][Medline]
8. Lee A, Aun C, Chui PT. Use of Chinese herbal medicine in presurgical patients. Abstract Book of the Annual Scientific Meeting of Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists, November 2002, Hong Kong.
9. Su C, Shiao M, Wang C. Potentiation of ganodermic acid S on prostaglandin E(1)-induced cyclic AMP elevation in human platelets. Thromb Res 2000;99:135–45.[Web of Science][Medline]
10. Su CY, Shiao MS, Wang CT. Differential effects of ganodermic acid S on the thromboxane A2-signaling pathways in human platelets. Biochem Pharmacol 1999;58:587–95.[Web of Science][Medline]
11. Kawagishi H, Fukuhara F, Sazuka M, et al. 5'-deoxy-5'-methylsulphinyladenosine, a platelet-aggregation inhibitor from Ganoderma lucidum. Phytochemistry 1993;32:239–41.
12. Choi HS, Sa YS. Fibrinolytic and antithrombotic protease from Ganoderma lucidum. Mycologia 2000;92:545–52.
13. Law NL, Ng KF, Irwin MG, Man JS. Comparison of coagulation and blood loss during anaesthesia with inhaled isoflurane or intravenous propofol. Br J Anaesth 2001;86:94–8.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
14. Tsen LC, Segal S, Pothier M, Bader AM. Alternative medicine use in presurgical patients. Anesthesiology 2000;93:148–51.[Web of Science][Medline]
15. Ang-Lee MK, Moss J, Yuan CS. Herbal medicines and perioperative care. JAMA 2001;286:208–16.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
16. Leung JM, Dzankic S, Manku K, Yuan S. The prevalence and predictors of the use of alternative medicine in presurgical patients in five California hospitals. Anesth Analg 2001;93:1062–8.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
17. Norred CL, Brinker F. Potential coagulation effects of preoperative complementary and alternative medicines. Altern Ther Health Med 2001;7:58–67.
18. Gau JP, Lin CK, Lee SS, Wang SR. The lack of antiplatelet effect of crude extracts from ganoderma lucidum on HIV-positive hemophiliacs. Am J Chin Med 1990;18:175–9.
19. Cammerer U, Dietrich W, Rampf T, et al. The predictive value of modified computerized thromboelastography and platelet function analysis for postoperative blood loss in routine cardiac surgery. Anesth Analg 2003;96:51–7.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
20. Ereth MH, Nuttall GA, Klindworth JT, et al. Does the platelet-activated clotting test (HemoSTATUS) predict blood loss and platelet dysfunction associated with cardiopulmonary bypass? Anesth Analg 1997;85:259–64.[Abstract]
21. Kaufmann CR, Dwyer KM, Crews JD, et al. Usefulness of thrombelastography in assessment of trauma patient coagulation. J Trauma 1997;42:716–20.[Web of Science][Medline]
22. Chau TN, Chan YW, Patch D, et al. Thrombelastographic changes and early rebleeding in cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding. Gut 1998;43:267–71.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
23. Davis CL, Chandler WL. Thromboelastography for the prediction of bleeding after transplant renal biopsy. J Am Soc Nephrol 1995;6:1250–5.[Abstract]
24. Klein SM, Slaughter TF, Vail PT, et al. Thromboelastography as a perioperative measure of anticoagulation resulting from low molecular weight heparin: a comparison with anti-Xa concentrations. Anesth Analg 2000;91:1091–5.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
25. Ruttmann TG, James MF. Pro-coagulant effect of in vitro haemodilution is not inhibited by aspirin. Br J Anaesth 1999;83:330–2.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
26. Favaloro EJ. Clinical application of the PFA-100. Curr Opin Hematol 2002;9:407–15.[Web of Science][Medline]

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Web of Science (5) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kwok, Y. Articles by Man, R. Y. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kwok, Y. Articles by Man, R. Y. K. Related Collections Blood Pharmacology