Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Peptide on Inflammatory and Metabolic Biomarkers in Obese Patients with
Nuril Farid Abshori1, Syanindita Wardhani1, Fatahillah Fatoni1
1Medical Doctor Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Maulana Malik Ibrahim Islamic State University, Malang, Indonesia.
Background:
Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a major contributor to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events through persistent subclinical inflammation. While conventional pharmacotherapy addresses metabolic risk factors, residual inflammatory risk remains inadequately con-trolled. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in preclinical models; however, robust clinical evidence in CMS patients is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of GLPP supplementation in obese patients with cardiometabolic syndrome.
Method:
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted involving 60 eligible CMS patients, randomly assigned to receive either GLPP (n = 30; 250 mg three times daily) or plcebo (n = 30) for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were changes in inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-6, hsCRP). Secondary outcomes included nitric oxide (NO), lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL), and BMI. Biomarkers were assessed pre- and post-intervention using ELISA and automated analyzers.
Result:
Sixty patients were randomized to the GLPP group (n = 30) or placebo group (n = 30) and completed the intervention. There were no significant differences between the two groups in inflammatory markers such as IL-6 (p = 0.366), TNF-α (p = 0.274), hsCRP (p = 0.918), nitric oxide (p = 0.949), or lipid profile such as total cholesterol (p = 0.966), triglycerides (p = 0.791), HDL (p = 0.242), LDL (p = 0.437), and BMI (p = 0.423).
Discussion:
This study found no significant differences between the two groups in inflammatory markers and lipid profiles. The results may have been influenced by concomitant medications, unassessed lifestyle factors, short intervention duration, and limited sample size. Therefore, future studies should consider pharmaceutical formulation approaches, such as nanoparticle-based or encapsulated drug delivery systems, along with the addition of prebiotics or probiotics to improve gut microbiota composition, to enhance the intestinal absorption and systemic biological activity of GLPP.
Conclusion:
GLPP showed no significant effects on inflammatory or metabolic parameters compared with placebo. Future studies should consider dose optimization, longer intervention periods, larger sample sizes, and bioavailability-enhancing strategies to improve its therapeutic potential.
Insights
Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) did not significantly impact inflammatory markers or lipid profiles in obese patients with cardiometabolic syndrome over an 8-week trial. Further research is needed to explore GLPP
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Science
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Metabolic Health and Inflammation
Background:
- Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) drives atherosclerosis via chronic inflammation, with residual inflammatory risk often inadequately managed by conventional therapies.
- Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) exhibits preclinical anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but clinical data in CMS patients is limited.
- Obesity exacerbates CMS, increasing cardiovascular event risk and inflammatory burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of GLPP supplementation in obese patients diagnosed with cardiometabolic syndrome.
- To evaluate the impact of GLPP on key metabolic parameters, including lipid profiles and body mass index (BMI), in the target population.
- To assess changes in specific inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-6, hsCRP) and nitric oxide (NO) levels following GLPP intervention.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 obese patients with CMS.
- Participants received either 250 mg of GLPP three times daily or a placebo for 8 weeks.
- Primary outcomes included changes in inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-6, hsCRP); secondary outcomes included nitric oxide, lipid profiles, and BMI, assessed via ELISA and automated analyzers.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed between the GLPP and placebo groups in primary inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, hsCRP) or nitric oxide levels.
- Lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL) and BMI showed no significant improvements in the GLPP group compared to placebo.
- All 60 randomized patients completed the 8-week intervention, with no significant baseline differences between groups.
Conclusions:
- Eight weeks of GLPP supplementation did not yield significant improvements in inflammatory markers or metabolic parameters in obese patients with CMS.
- Potential factors influencing these null findings include concomitant medications, unassessed lifestyle factors, short intervention duration, and limited sample size.
- Future research should explore optimized GLPP formulations (e.g., nanoparticles), longer study durations, larger cohorts, and strategies to enhance bioavailability and gut absorption.