The Effect of Lowering Plasma Cholesterol by Reishi Extracts and Its Possible Mechanism

Abstract

We evaluated the plasma cholesterol lowering effect of Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) extracts. Reishi hot-water and ethanol extracts lowered plasma cholesterol and promoted fecal cholesterol excretion in rats fed a high cholesterol diet. We also assessed the influence of Reishi extracts on micellar solubility of cholesterol. Reishi hot-water and ethanol extracts both decreased micellar solubility of cholesterol, and the ethanol extract exhibited the greatest effect. These results suggest that Reishi extracts lower plasma cholesterol in part because of the decreased micellar solubility of cholesterol.