Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Peptide on Inflammatory and Metabolic Biomarkers in Obese Patients with Cardiometabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a major contributor to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events through persistent subclinical inflammation. While conventional pharmacotherapy addresses metabolic risk factors, residual inflammatory risk remains inadequately con-trolled. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in preclinical models; however, robust clinical evidence in CMS patients is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of GLPP supplementation in obese patients with cardiometabolic syndrome. METHOD: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted involving 60 eligible CMS patients, randomly assigned to receive either GLPP (n = 30; 250 mg three times daily) or plcebo (n = 30) for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were changes in inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-6, hsCRP). Secondary outcomes included nitric oxide (NO), lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL), and BMI. Biomarkers were assessed pre- and post-intervention using ELISA and automated analyzers. RESULT: Sixty patients were randomized to the GLPP group (n = 30) or placebo group (n = 30) and completed the intervention. There were no significant differences between the two groups in inflammatory markers such as IL-6 (p = 0.366), TNF-α (p = 0.274), hsCRP (p = 0.918), nitric oxide (p = 0.949), or lipid profile such as total cholesterol (p = 0.966), triglycerides (p = 0.791), HDL (p = 0.242), LDL (p = 0.437), and BMI (p = 0.423). DISCUSSION: This study found no significant differences between the two groups in inflammatory markers and lipid profiles. The results may have been influenced by concomitant medications, unassessed lifestyle factors, short intervention duration, and limited sample size. Therefore, future studies should consider pharmaceutical formulation approaches, such as nanoparticle-based or encapsulated drug delivery systems, along with the addition of prebiotics or probiotics to improve gut microbiota composition, to enhance the intestinal absorption and systemic biological activity of GLPP. CONCLUSION: GLPP showed no significant effects on inflammatory or metabolic parameters compared with placebo. Future studies should consider dose optimization, longer intervention periods, larger sample sizes, and bioavailability-enhancing strategies to improve its therapeutic potential.