Introduction
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) refer to a group of neurological disorders characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the central or peripheral nervous system. The most common NDs include Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). With the acceleration of population ageing, ageing has become the primary risk factor for these disorders, posing a serious threat to elderly health and imposing a heavy socioeconomic burden. Unfortunately, no effective cures currently exist.
Given the complex pathological mechanisms of NDs, traditional Chinese medicine has shown notable advantages due to its multi-target, multi-pathway, and synergistic effects. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi), known in China as the “immortal herb,” has been used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years. It is derived from the dried fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst. or Ganoderma sinense Zhao, Xu et Zhang. The 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China records its properties as sweet and neutral in nature, entering the heart, lung, liver, and kidney meridians, with functions of replenishing qi, calming the mind, and relieving cough and asthma.
Modern pharmacological studies reveal that Ganoderma lucidum exerts neuroprotective effects through its polysaccharides and triterpenoids, which inhibit neuronal apoptosis and damage. Since Parkinson’s disease is the second most common ND after Alzheimer’s, Ganoderma and its active compounds have attracted attention for their potential therapeutic benefits. Below are the main mechanisms by which Ganoderma lucidum extracts and bioactive constituents may help prevent and treat Parkinson’s disease.
1. Inhibition of Abnormal α-Synuclein Aggregation
α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a soluble presynaptic protein in the central nervous system. Its abnormal accumulation and aggregation induce neurotoxicity, exacerbate neuroinflammation, and trigger oxidative stress—factors closely associated with the onset and progression of PD.
Sharma et al. investigated the protective effects of aqueous extracts of Ganoderma lucidum in a rat hypoxia model. Results showed that Ganoderma extract alleviated hypoxia-induced memory impairment, reduced hippocampal damage and cerebral oedema, improved neurotransmitter levels, and promoted synaptic plasticity. Importantly, it inhibited abnormal α-syn accumulation, reduced oxidative stress, and stabilised inflammatory markers such as NF-κB. These findings suggest that Ganoderma water extracts can protect the nervous system through multiple pathways, offering new therapeutic potential for PD.
2. Reduction of Neuroinflammation
Neuroinflammation plays a central role in PD. α-Syn accumulation in astrocytes enhances pro-inflammatory properties and induces cytokines and chemokines.
Ren et al. found that Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) reduced microglial activation in the substantia nigra-striatum region and downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines. In vitro, GLE inhibited abnormal autophagy and lysosomal degradation of microglia via the iNOS/NLRP3 pathway, conferring neuroprotection.
Deacetylganoderic acid F, a triterpenoid isolated from Ganoderma, was shown to suppress nitric oxide (NO) production, iNOS expression, and inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting NF-κB activation in BV-2 microglial cells. In vivo, it reduced NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines in zebrafish embryos and mouse models, while attenuating microglial and astrocytic activation. These findings highlight Ganoderma’s potential as a novel therapeutic candidate for neuroinflammation-related disorders such as PD.
3. Antioxidant Effects and Mitochondrial Protection
The motor dysfunction in PD arises from the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Oxidative stress is a key driver of this neurodegeneration, while mitochondrial dysfunction is recognised as a major contributor to neuronal degeneration in PD.
In PD patients, mitochondrial impairment leads to disrupted biosynthesis, weakened autophagy, increased apoptosis, abnormal calcium homeostasis, and aggravated oxidative stress—resulting in insufficient energy supply and neurotoxicity.
Huang et al. confirmed that Ganoderma extracts enhanced cell viability, maintained mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced ROS accumulation, inhibited cytochrome C release and Caspase-3 activation, thereby protecting mitochondria and preventing apoptosis in PD models. Similarly, Guo et al. demonstrated that Ganoderma polysaccharides (GLP) protected dopaminergic neurons from neurotoxicity induced by MPP+ and rotenone, increased neuronal survival, restored mitochondrial function, reduced ROS, and suppressed apoptosis. Collectively, these results indicate that Ganoderma exerts neuroprotection through dual mechanisms of antioxidant defence and mitochondrial protection.
4. Inhibition of Neuronal Apoptosis
Apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PD. Wu Shuzhen et al. showed that Ganoderma lucidum triterpenes (GLT) improved motor dysfunction in PD mouse models, increased the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells and fibres, and reduced dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra. These results suggest that GLT protects and restores dopaminergic neurons by promoting TH expression and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, supporting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for PD.
Conclusion
Ganoderma lucidum extracts and their triterpenoid and polysaccharide constituents demonstrate significant pharmacological potential against both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Their mechanisms include:
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Inhibiting neuroinflammation
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Reducing oxidative stress damage
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Delaying neuronal senescence and apoptosis
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Promoting synaptic plasticity
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Regulating neurotransmitter balance
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Improving cognitive function
In summary, Ganoderma lucidum represents a promising multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway intervention for neurodegenerative diseases. Its holistic regulation of cellular signalling pathways highlights its potential as a natural adjunct in preventing and treating Parkinson’s disease.