According to research reviewed by Gram, a mushroom compound called Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides reduced heart inflammation, scarring, and damage in two mouse models of diabetes. The 2026 study suggests this compound may help protect the heart in diabetes, though human trials have not yet been done.
According to research reviewed by Gram, a compound called Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides, found in the reishi mushroom, may help protect the heart from damage linked to diabetes. Scientists tested it in mice with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Hearts of treated mice showed less inflammation, less scarring, and better structure and function than hearts of untreated diabetic mice. The compound appeared to work by calming a cell signaling pathway called NF-κB, which drives inflammation when it is overactive. These findings come from animal and laboratory cell experiments, so they cannot yet show whether people would benefit in the same way. The results point to a possible new approach for protecting the heart in people with diabetes, but human studies are needed before any conclusions can be drawn.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study published in Frontiers in Bioscience found that a mushroom compound called Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides reduced heart inflammation and scarring in mice with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
In a 2026 mouse study covering two diabetes models, treatment with the reishi mushroom compound lowered inflammatory signaling molecules and reduced immune cell buildup in the heart compared with untreated diabetic mice.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Researchers asked whether a substance from the reishi mushroom could protect the heart from damage caused by diabetes, and how it might do so.
- Who participated: The study used laboratory mice, not people. Some mice were given type 1 diabetes and others were fed a high-fat diet to produce type 2 diabetes. The exact number of mice was not stated in the summary provided.
- Key finding: Mice given the mushroom compound had less heart inflammation, less scarring, and better heart structure and function than diabetic mice that did not receive it. The compound appeared to calm an inflammation switch inside heart cells.
- What it means for you: This is early research in animals. It does not show that mushroom supplements protect human hearts. If you have diabetes, keep managing blood sugar and talk with your doctor before trying any supplement.
The Research Details
Scientists worked with mice that had diabetes. They used two methods to create it. In one group, a drug called streptozotocin destroyed the cells that make insulin, which mimics type 1 diabetes. In another group, mice ate a high-fat diet for a long period, which mimics type 2 diabetes. Each group was then split so some mice received the mushroom compound and others did not, allowing the researchers to compare the two groups.
To see how the compound worked, the team looked at the genetic activity in heart tissue. This method, called RNA sequencing, shows which genes are switched on or off. The results suggested that the compound’s anti-inflammatory effects involved a signaling pathway called NF-κB. The researchers then tested heart measurements, tissue scarring, and immune cell levels in the mice.
The team also worked with heart muscle cells grown in the lab. They exposed these cells to high sugar levels, which mimics the conditions that stress the heart in diabetes. This allowed them to check whether the compound worked directly on heart cells and whether the NF-κB pathway was involved.
Using animal models lets researchers control diet, drug doses, and other conditions closely, which is hard to do in people. Testing in two different diabetes models also helps show whether a treatment works more broadly rather than in only one type of disease. Lab cell experiments add another layer by showing the effect may occur directly in heart cells, not only as a side effect of changes elsewhere in the body.
The study combined animal experiments, gene activity analysis, and cell experiments, which together make the findings more convincing than any one method alone. However, the summary does not report the number of mice per group, and animal results often do not translate to people. The journal’s impact factor and peer review process were not stated in the information provided, so readers should check the full paper for these details.
What the Results Show
The main result was that the mushroom compound improved heart health in both mouse models of diabetes. Mice that received it showed better heart function and structure than diabetic mice that did not. Researchers describe this as reducing structural abnormalities, which means the heart’s shape and wall thickness were closer to normal.
The treated mice also had less inflammation in their hearts. Inflammation is the body’s defensive response, but when it stays active for a long time, it can damage tissue. The study measured lower levels of inflammatory signaling molecules, called cytokines, and fewer immune cells called macrophages gathering in the heart muscle. Fewer of these cells in the heart suggests the organ was under less ongoing stress.
Scarring, known as fibrosis, was also reduced. Scar tissue makes the heart stiffer and less able to pump blood well, so limiting it is an important goal in heart research. The researchers linked these benefits to reduced activity of the NF-κB pathway, a protein switch inside cells that turns on inflammatory genes.
In the lab, high sugar levels caused heart muscle cells to grow abnormally large and to produce scar-like changes. The mushroom compound reduced both of these effects, and the protection again appeared to depend on the NF-κB pathway. This supports the idea that the compound acts directly on heart cells.
The study also showed that the compound lowered levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in both diabetes models. Because these molecules help drive ongoing inflammation, lowering them may explain why the heart tissue was less damaged. The consistency across type 1 and type 2 models is a notable point, since the two forms of diabetes differ in their causes. The authors also describe the compound as a possible therapeutic agent, meaning a substance that could one day be used as a treatment, although that conclusion is still preliminary.
The research team noted that earlier studies had shown the mushroom compound can lower blood sugar and help normalize glucose metabolism. They had also previously found it could prevent heart enlargement caused by high pressure on the heart. This study extends that work by examining the diabetic heart specifically and by pointing to inflammation as a key mechanism. Diabetic heart disease is a well-recognized cause of death in people with diabetes, so research into new ways to protect the heart is an active area of study.
The most important limitation is that the study was done in mice and in cells grown in a laboratory. Mouse biology differs from human biology in many ways, so results do not automatically apply to people. The summary also does not state how many animals were used, which makes it harder to judge how reliable the differences are. Additionally, the study focused on inflammation and the NF-κB pathway, but it does not prove that this pathway is the only way the compound works. Finally, the dose used in mice cannot be directly translated into a safe or effective dose for humans, and the study does not address long-term safety.
The Bottom Line
Based on current evidence, the strongest conclusion is that the compound improved heart health in mice with diabetes, and this is a promising early finding. Confidence that it would work the same way in people is low at this stage, because no human trials are reported. People with diabetes should focus on proven steps, such as blood sugar control, blood pressure management, regular physical activity, and medical follow-up, rather than relying on supplements. Anyone considering reishi mushroom products should speak with a healthcare provider first.
People living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, their families, and clinicians who manage diabetes-related heart disease may find this research relevant as a sign of future directions. Researchers developing new heart treatments will also find the NF-κB mechanism useful to study. People without diabetes, or those who already take medicines for blood sugar or heart conditions, should not change their treatment based on this study without medical advice.
Animal research like this typically takes many years to reach human testing. Early human studies would need to test safety first, then whether the compound helps heart function in people. Any real benefit for patients is likely to be years away, and it is not yet known whether the findings will hold up in human trials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can mushroom extract help protect the heart from diabetes?
Mouse studies suggest it may. A 2026 study found that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides reduced heart inflammation, scarring, and structural damage in mice with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Human trials have not been done, so benefits in people remain unproven.
What is diabetic cardiomyopathy?
Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which long-term high blood sugar gradually weakens and stiffens the heart muscle, even without major blocked arteries. It is a leading cause of death among people with diabetes, and researchers are actively searching for ways to prevent it.
Is reishi mushroom safe to take if I have diabetes?
This research does not establish human safety, since it was conducted in mice and laboratory cells. People with diabetes or heart conditions should talk with a doctor before using reishi supplements, especially if they also take medicines that lower blood sugar.
What does NF-κB have to do with heart inflammation?
NF-κB is a protein switch inside cells that turns on inflammatory genes when the body is under stress. In the study, the mushroom compound appeared to calm this switch, which reduced inflammation and scarring in the heart. Overactive NF-κB signaling is linked to many chronic diseases.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Log your fasting and post-meal blood sugar readings, along with your blood pressure, several times per week. Track these numbers alongside any supplements you take so you and your doctor can see patterns over time. Record the supplement name, dose, and start date so changes can be linked to specific times.
- Use the app to set a daily reminder for a 20 to 30 minute walk or other moderate activity, which supports heart health in people with diabetes. If you are considering a mushroom supplement, add a reminder to ask your doctor about it at your next visit instead of starting it on your own.
- Review your blood sugar, blood pressure, and activity logs monthly, and share summaries with your healthcare team at regular visits. Ask your doctor about heart checkups, such as an echocardiogram if recommended, to track heart structure and function over time. Update the app whenever new human research on this compound is published.
This article summarizes an early study conducted in mice and laboratory cells, not in people. The findings are not medical advice and should not be used to start, stop, or change any treatment for diabetes or heart disease. Mushroom supplements can interact with medicines and may not be appropriate for everyone. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health routine.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.