Anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and analgesics effects of Ganoderma applanatum, the Artist’s conk.

I found this study very exciting as the Artist’s conk is a common mushroom in the Aspen Parkland.  The other common thing in the Aspen Parkland is depression, anxiety and pain, often all three coming together. This scientific study explores the antidepressant, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties of extracts from Ganoderma applanatum. Many of the effects are similar to Reishi (AKA ling qi, Ganoderma lucidum), which has been studied in more depth. This research is particularly relevant given the increasing global burden of mental health disorders and pain, which often have limited treatment options due to the side effects of conventional drugs. Link to the full paper. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8278240/

Active Ingredients of the Artist's conk, Ganoderma applanatum has been used in traditional medicine for its various therapeutic properties. This study specifically examined two extracts from the mushroom: the aqueous extract (AEGA) and the ethanol extract (EEGA). These extracts contain a range of bioactive compounds including Applanoxidic acids, Applanatumols, Cytosporone C, Nigragillin, Ganoapplanin, Myrocin C, Sphaeropsidin D, and others. These compounds have previously demonstrated anti-tumor, antibacterial, antifibrotic, antiobesity, antiviral, antioxidative, and immunomodulating activities.

Clinical Outcomes with Artist's Conk on Mental Health and Pain Management: Depression, Anxiety and Pain.

• Open Field Test: Both extracts significantly reduced the number of squares passed by the animals, suggesting a decrease in anxiety and heightened sedative effect. (Personal note: from trying topical G. applanatum, I found a decrease in anxiety but no sedative effect.)
• Hole Cross Test: The extracts significantly reduced the number of hole crosses, supporting their potential as antidepressants.
• Elevated Plus-Maze Test: The extracts showed decreased entries into open arms, aligning with reduced anxiety behaviour.

Analgesic Effects:The analgesic properties were assessed using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test, and tail immersion test (you can read all the grim details in the full study). These tests confirmed that both extracts could significantly reduce the perception of pain in mice, compared to controls. Both EEGA(ethanol extract)  and AEGA (aqueous extract)extracts reduced writhing and increased latency times on the hot plate and during tail immersion tests, suggesting effective pain relief comparable to conventional painkillers like diclofenac sodium but potentially with both fewer side effects and fewer environmental effects.

Safety and Toxicity: A long history of use of Ganoderma applanatum plus an acute toxicity study revealed that both mushroom extracts are non-toxic, which supports their safety for potential therapeutic use.

Mechanism of Action Explored Through Molecular Docking:  The study also explored the interaction of the mushroom's active compounds with specific receptors related to depression, anxiety, and pain. The molecular docking studies revealed strong interactions between the active compounds and targets like the potassium channel, serotonin transporter, and cyclooxygenase 1, suggesting a biochemical basis for the observed pharmacological effects.

Conclusion:  The findings from this study suggest that Ganoderma applanatum provides a potent source of natural compounds with significant antidepressant, anxiolytic, and analgesic effects.These effects were evident in standardized animal tests and supported by molecular docking studies, which demonstrated interactions with key neurological receptors. The study advocates for further research and development of these extracts as potential therapeutic agents for managing depression, anxiety, and pain, particularly emphasizing their safety and efficacy compared to synthetic drugs without the common sedative effects that come with pharmaceutical preparations. With a broader shift towards the utilization of medicinal plants and natural products for treatment this paper outlines some interesting possibilities especially with the limitations of current treatment modalities for mental and pain-related disorders.

On a personal note or testimonial,  I suffer from anxiety mixed with a mild depression at times, all of which are enhanced by added stress. Also, like many of us I am easily distracted, a possible sign of ADHD, struggling at times to stay on task, to complete tasks and to avoid procrastination. Since I have started to use the Artist's conk, topically, I have noticed a difference. I find that the effects are subtle but certainly noticeable. It seems to reduce stress levels fairly quickly and help me concentrate and remain on task. The effect occurs relatively quickly in 15 to 20 minutes. There have been no signs of brain fog or dopiness or any sedative effect that comes with some other products; rather I notice clear-headedness, if that’s a word. 

I strongly recommend doing your own “peer review” on the full paper plus you can dive a little deeper on the reference papers listed in the study. Regretfully some of these are behind paywalls but you can often reach out directly to the authors for a copy.

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