Xu Guangman , Jiayi Wu

Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Medicinal Plant Research, 2025, Vol. 15, No. 3   doi: 10.5376/mpr.2025.15.0012
Received: 20 Mar., 2025    Accepted: 25 Apr., 2025    Published: 25 May, 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Xu G.M., and Wu J.Y., 2025, Synergistic effects of Ganoderma lucidum with other TCM herbs: an analysis of pharmacological interactions, Medicinal Plant Research, 15(3): 110-118 (doi: 10.5376/mpr.2025.15.0012)

 

Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) occupies a prominent position not only in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) but also in contemporary pharmacological investigation, due to its multifarious biological activities like immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Lingzhi in TCM practice is usually used in combination with other herbal drugs to ensure synergistic potentiation. This review systematically discusses the principal bioactive compounds of G. lucidum, namely, triterpenoids, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and sterols, and their pharmacological activities. Special emphasis is laid to the type of interaction of Lingzhi with other classic traditional herbal drugs, such as synergistic augmentation, antagonism, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interactions. Particular pairs-Lingzhi and Astragalus, Ginseng, Lycium, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Angelica sinensis—are addressed to mirror their role in immunoregulation, anti-tumor activities, neuroprotection, cardiovascular augmentation, and anti-aging. Besides, molecular mechanisms of such synergistic effects are described, such as regulation of signal transduction pathways (e.g., NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K-Akt), modulation of immune cell activity, regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation processes, and the role of metabolomics and gut microbiota. Progress in in vitro and animal model research, clinical application, and evidence from evidence-based medicine is presented. In addition, pertinent issues relating to safety assessment, potential herb-drug interaction, and quality control challenges of herbal medicines are discussed. Overall, this review encourages the scientific merit and application value of synergistic actions of G. lucidum with other medicinal herbs, and provides theoretical basis and practical reference for TCM modernization and exploration of new herbal medicines.

Ganoderma lucidum; Synergistic effects; Chinese herbal medicine; Pharmacological interactions; Herbal formulations