Chaga mushroom in medical research

People have been using Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) for treatments already for thousands of years, but the scientific research for studying its effects started only a few hundred years ago. Yet only for the last few decades, Chaga has been under a more focused sight for scientific research. It is interesting to know that 155 years ago, the first scientific research was made about Chaga mushroom by a scientist professor Johann Georg Noël Dragendorff in Tartu University.

Chaga mushroom research has focused both on the effects of different extracts made from Chaga and also specifically on the effects of bioactive substances found in the mushroom. Allegedly, Chaga consists of more than 200 different bioactive compounds. The bioactive compounds that have been enquired into the most are triterpenoids (inotodiol, betulin, betulinic acid), polysaccharides, polyphenols and melanin.

Chaga and tumour treatment

Cancer research made in test tubes shows that the extract made from Chaga mushroom with methanol has medium-ranked effectiveness for growth-restriction of certain species of cancer cells. According to the research, Chaga extract inhibits the reproduction of leukaemia cells and adenocarcinoma (a type of cancer that forms in the glands) cells in the lungs and colon (Jiang et al 2019). Chaga extract has a weaker effect on the hepatocellular adenocarcinoma (malignant liver tumour) cells in the liver, the epidermoid carcinoma cells in the mouth and prostate cancer cells (Nguyen et al 2018).

Generally, test-tube research and animal testing show that Chaga inhibits the development of certain tumour cell species (Zou et al 2019) and improves well-being, reduces sweating and has some blood pressure lowering and pulse slowing effects. For the aforementioned reasons, Chaga and its extracts are often used as a support supplement for curing malignant tumours and improving the patient’s well-being.

Chaga’s immune system supporting qualities and effects on the digestive system

Newer research shows that additionally to the anticancer properties (Gery et al 2018), Chaga extract also has effects on C-hepatitis and HI-virus (Shibnev et al 2011, 2015), has a strong antioxidant effect (Burmasova et al 2019) and improves the immune system (Kim et al 2005; Won et al 2011). Many different types of research have proved that Chaga has strong antibacterial, antifungus and anti-inflammatory effects (Glamoclija et al 2015; Ma et al 2013; Javed et al 2019).

Animal testing has shown that the ethanol extract made from Chaga mushroom has positive effects on preventing stomach ulcers caused by alcohol (Xin et al 2019) and on ulcerative colitis – inflammatory bowel disease (Chen et al 2019). Therefore it can be said that Chaga may benefit the complementary treatment of stomach and bowel ulcers. Animal testing has also referred to Chaga’s possible properties for liver protection (Xu et al 2019).

Chaga’s effect on blood sugar levels, connections with hyperuricemia and Alzheimer’s

The effects that the different compounds (inotodiol and other terpenoids and polysaccharides) found in Chaga have for blood sugar level regulation have been studied a lot (Ying et al 2014). Research has found that the polysaccharides found in Chaga inhibit carbohydrate absorption, therefore lowering blood sugar levels and having positive effects in case of second type diabetes (Joo et al 2010; Liu et al 2018). Chaga also supports the metabolism of lipids (fats) (Lee & Hyun 2014).

Test-tube research shows that the betulin found in Chaga could alleviate hyperuricemia (an excess of uric acid in the blood) that is also one of the main causes for podagra (Yong et al 2018). The latest research has also indicated the protective effects that polysaccharides found in Chaga have against Alzheimer’s (Han et al 2019). Since Chaga has only been a matter of interest for researchers for the last few decades, every new year brings new exciting information from the world of science about this valuable healing mushroom with a long history.