Sanghuang (Phellinus linteus) is a medicinal mushroom that has reportedly been used in Asian countries for centuries for a variety of ailments, including inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, and cancer.
Although human clinical trials are lacking, sanghuang has been used to treat cancer in a few cases. In preliminary research, sanghuang has been shown to reduce tumor size, prevent metastasis in a variety of cancers, and enhance the beneficial effects of several anticancer drugs when used in combination therapy.
Chen, W., He, F. Y., and Li, Y. Q. The apoptosis effect of hispolon from Phellinus linteus (Berkeley & Curtis) Teng on human epidermoid KB cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 4-21-2006;105(1-2):280-285. View Abstract
Choi, Y. H., Yan, G. H., Chai, O. H., et al. Inhibition of anaphylaxis-like reaction and mast cell activation by water extract from the fruiting body of Phellinus linteus. Biol Pharm.Bull. 2006;29(7):1360-1365. View Abstract
Choi, S. B., Park, C. H., Choi, M. K., et al. Improvement of insulin resistance and insulin secretion by water extracts of Cordyceps militaris, Phellinus linteus, and Paecilomyces tenuipes in 90% pancreatectomized rats. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem. 2004;68(11):2257-2264. View Abstract
Hur, J. M., Yang, C. H., Han, S. H., et al. Antibacterial effect of Phellinus linteus against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Fitoterapia 2004;75(6):603-605. View Abstract
Kim, G. Y., Lee, J. Y., Lee, J. O., et al. Partial characterization and immunostimulatory effect of a novel polysaccharide-protein complex extracted from Phellinus linteus. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem. 2006;70(5):1218-1226. View Abstract
Kim, G. Y., Choi, G. S., Lee, S. H., et al. Acidic polysaccharide isolated from Phellinus linteus enhances through the up-regulation of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha from peritoneal macrophages. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;95(1):69-76. View Abstract
Lee, H. J., Lee, H. J., Lim, E. S., et al. Cambodian Phellinus linteus inhibits experimental metastasis of melanoma cells in mice via regulation of urokinase type plasminogen activator. Biol Pharm.Bull. 2005;28(1):27-31. View Abstract
Lee, Y. S., Kang, Y. H., Jung, J. Y., et al. Inhibitory constituents of aldose reductase in the fruiting body of Phellinus linteus. Biol Pharm.Bull. 2008;31(4):765-768. View Abstract
Lim, B. O., Jeon, T. I., Hwang, S. G., et al. Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice suppresses IgE production by the modulation of Th1/Th2 balance in murine mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes. Biotechnol.Lett. 2005;27(9):613-617. View Abstract
Matsuba, S., Matsuno, H., Sakuma, M., et al. Phellinus linteus Extract Augments the Immune Response in Mitomycin C-Induced Immunodeficient Mice. Evid.Based.Complement Alternat.Med 2008;5(1):85-90. View Abstract
Nam, S. W., Han, J. Y., Kim, J. I., et al. Spontaneous regression of a large hepatocellular carcinoma with skull metastasis. J Gastroenterol.Hepatol. 2005;20(3):488-492. View Abstract
Park, I. H., Chung, S. K., Lee, K. B., et al. An antioxidant hispidin from the mycelial cultures of Phellinus linteus. Arch.Pharm.Res 2004;27(6):615-618. View Abstract
Shibata, Y., Kashiwagi, B., Arai, S., et al. Administration of extract of mushroom Phellinus linteus induces prostate enlargement with increase in stromal component in experimentally developed rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology 2005;66(2):455-460. View Abstract
Song, Y. S., Kim, S. H., Sa, J. H., et al. Anti-angiogenic, antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibition activities of the mushroom Phellinus linteus. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003;88(1):113-116. View Abstract
Zhu, T., Kim, S. H., and Chen, C. Y. A medicinal mushroom: Phellinus linteus. Curr Med Chem 2008;15(13):1330-1335. View Abstract