inonotus obliquus extract

Inonotus obliquus extract is a preparation derived from the fruiting body of the Inonotus obliquus fungus, commonly known as chaga. It is used primarily as a dietary supplement and herbal remedy rather than an approved pharmaceutical drug. The extract contains various bioactive compounds including polysaccharides, triterpenoids (such as inotodiol), polyphenols, melanins, and lignin derivatives. These constituents are associated with purported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic (via alpha-glucosidase inhibition), hepatoprotective, and potential anticancer effects observed mainly in preclinical studies. Mechanistically, it may inhibit nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), modulate Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion and antibody production by immune cells; induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via upregulation of Bax/caspase-3 and downregulation of Bcl-2/cyclin E; suppress tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta; inhibit platelet aggregation; lower blood sugar levels through terpenoid-mediated alpha-glucosidase inhibition; exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2; reduce oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde; restore glutathione/superoxide dismutase levels; increase endurance/glycogen content while reducing lactic acid/serum urea nitrogen in animal models[3][4][5][6]. It is not FDA-approved for any indication.

Brand names

chaga extract

Other names

chaga mushroom extractinonotus obliquus fruiting bodychagabirch mushroom extract