Mexican Ganoderma Lucidum Extracts Decrease Lipogenesis Modulating Transcriptional Metabolic Networks and Gut...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Genomics
• Mycology

Background:

• Hyperlipidemia and associated diseases are a significant health concern.
• Natural products, including Ganoderma lucidum (Gl), show promise in managing cholesterol levels.
• The precise transcriptomic mechanisms of Gl's bioactivities remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the transcriptomic effects of Ganoderma lucidum extracts on lipid metabolism.
• To compare the effects of Gl extracts from different cultivation substrates.
• To identify potential therapeutic targets for hypercholesterolemia.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive hepatic and renal transcriptome profiling in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-cholesterol diet.
• Administration of two standardized Gl extracts (Gl-1 and Gl-2).
• Analysis of gene expression related to lipid biosynthesis, degradation, secretion, and macrophage lipid storage.

Main Results:

• Gl extracts modulated metabolic pathways, restricting lipid biosynthesis and enhancing lipid degradation/secretion.
• Gl-2 extract showed significant similarity to simvastatin druggable targets, particularly in liver-related obesity pathways.
• Gl extracts correlated with Lactobacillus enrichment, reduced circulating fats, and decreased macrophage lipid storage.

Conclusions:

• Ganoderma lucidum extracts act as novel transcriptome modulators for preventing hypercholesterolemia-related metabolic disorders.
• A link between Gl's hypocholesterolemic and prebiotic activities was identified.
• Standardized Mexican Gl extracts offer a potential natural therapeutic strategy.