[Lotus]

Thank you Weezer, Kay and LisaM. 

Here's information concerning Reishi, granted both inhibit DHT, but both behave differently. Reishi protects the liver better (read the science on how reishi is Hepatoprotective for the liver). GTE gets you more nitric oxide production, which helps bring energy into cells, which benefits aid in breast growth.

Reishi, antioxidant and radical-scavenging activity, modulation of hepatic Phase I and II enzymes, inhibition of b-glucuronidase, antifibrotic and antiviral activity, modulation of nitric oxide production, maintenance of hepatocellular calcium homeostasis, and immunomodulating effects.

Ganoderma lucidum (Polyporaceae) is a well-known edible and medicinal mushroom, which has been used widely in medicinal and functional food industry (Lu, He, Sun, Zhang, Linhardt, & Zhang, 2020). The polysaccharides in G. lucidum are believed as one of the most important contributors to its multiple medicinal and health benefits, such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, and immune-modulation (Lu, He, Sun, Zhang, Linhardt, & Zhang, 2020

Reishi mushroom extract is Hepatoprotective...meaning it protects the liver. Reishi protects the liver mainly from its polysaccharides, antioxidants and free radical-scavenging activity. Here's a few studies (of many) on hepatoprotective activity of reishi. [/font][/size][/color]

Hepatoprotective Activity and the Mechanisms of Action of Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.:Fr.) P. Karst. (Ling Zhi, Reishi Mushroom) (Aphyllophoromycetideae)

Yihuai Gao, Min Huang, Zhi-Bin Lin, Shufeng Zhou

International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 5 (2), 2003

Herbal medicines are always considered to be a safe and useful approach for the treatment of chronic hepatopathy. Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst.[(Ling Zhi, Reishi mushroom)(Aphyllophoromycetideae)], a highly ranked medicinal mushroom in Oriental traditional medicine, has been widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatopathy of various etiologies. Data from in vitro and animal studies indicate that G. extracts (mainly polysaccharides or triterpenoids) exhibit protective activities against liver injury induced by toxic chemicals (eg, CCl 4) and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS). G. also showed anti–hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity in a duckling study. Recently, a randomized placebo-controlled clinical study showed that treatment with G. polysaccharides for 12 weeks reduced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA in 25%(13/52) patients with HBV infection. The mechanisms of the hepatoprotective effects of G. have been largely undefined. However, accumulating evidence suggests several possible mechanisms. These include antioxidant and radical-scavenging activity, modulation of hepatic Phase I and II enzymes, inhibition of b-glucuronidase, antifibrotic and antiviral activity, modulation of nitric oxide production, maintenance of hepatocellular calcium homeostasis, and immunomodulating effects. G. could represent a promising approach for the management of various chronic hepatopathies. Further studies are needed to explore the kinetics and mechanisms of action of G. constituents with hepatoprotective activities.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication...eae_Review


Hepatoprotective Effects of Mushrooms

6.2. Triterpenoids, Polysaccharides and Peptides from Ganoderma lucidum

The most studied mushroom with respect to hepatoprotective effects is Ganoderma lucidum. This fact is not surprising because G. is, indubitably, the most studied medicinal mushroom. Approximately 400 chemical substances have been isolated from G. lucidum, which include mainly polysaccharides, triterpenoids, nucleosides, ergosterols, fatty acids, proteins/peptides, and trace elements. Particularly polysaccharide and triterpenoid components in G. have been proposed as the bioactive constituents responsible for the protective activities against toxin-induced liver injury [105,106,107]. In a broad review about the hepatoprotective properties of G. , Gao et al. [106] collected evidence to suggest possible molecular mechanisms to explain its hepatoprotective actions. Among these mechanisms, the authors include antioxidant and radical-scavenging activity, modulation of hepatic Phase I and II enzymes, inhibition of β-glucuronidase, antifibrotic and antiviral activity, modulation of nitric oxide production, maintenance of hepatocellular calcium homeostasis, and immunomodulatory effects.

Data from in vitro and animal studies indicate that G. extracts, mainly polysaccharides or triterpenoids, exhibit protective activities against liver injury induced by toxic chemicals (e.g., CCl4) and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The fungus also showed anti hepatitis B-virus (HBV) activity in a duckling study. Recently, a randomized placebo-controlled clinical study showed that treatment with G. polysaccharides for 12 weeks reduced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA by 25% (13/52) in patients with HBV infection. The mechanisms of the hepatoprotective effects are still undefined. Evidence suggests that antioxidant and radical scavenging activity, modulation of hepatic phase I and II enzymes, inhibition of b-glucuronidase, antifibrotic and antiviral activity, modulation of nitric oxide production, maintenance of hepatocellular calcium homeostasis, and immunomodulatory effects might be involved [107].

The effects of total triterpenoids extracts from G. on two different experimental liver injury models induced by carbon tetrachloride and d-galactosamine were extensively studied in mice [35,40,108,109]. Administration of the extract (80 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the increase of serum ALT and liver triglyceride levels in the models, effects similar to those of malotilate, a known reference substance for this kind of protective effects [110]. The G. extract also antagonized the decrease of the SOD activity and the GSH content and inhibited the increase of the MDA content in the carbon tetrachloride and d-galactosamine liver-injured mice. It could equally improve the histopathological changes. These observations are likely to indicate that triterpenoids isolated from G. have a powerful protective effect against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride and d-galactosamine. Their hepatoprotective effects were perhaps related to the ability to increase the activity of free radical scavenging enzymes and, thus, to raise the ability of antioxidation. It should be stressed that ganoderic acid (Figure 2), one of the triterpenoids found in G. lucidum, was proven to be a potent inhibitor of β-glucuronidase activity, an indicator of hepatic damage [111].

The hepatoprotective activity of peptides from Ganoderma lucidum was evaluated against d-galactosamine (d-GalN)-induced hepatic injury in mice. G. peptides were administered via gavage daily for two weeks at doses of 60, 120 and 180 mg/kg, respectively. The d-GalN-induced hepatic damage was manifested by a significant increase in the activities of marker enzymes (AST, ALT) in serum, by the increased MDA levels in the liver, and by significant decreases in the activity of SOD and in the GSH level in the liver. Pretreatment of mice with G. peptides maintained these parameters at their normal values. These biochemical results were supplemented by histo-pathological examination of liver sections. The best hepatoprotective effects of the G. peptides were observed after treatment with the dose of 180 mg/kg as deduced from the biochemical parameters and liver histopathological examinations. Results of this study revealed that the G. peptides can produce a significant diminution of the d-GalN-induced hepatocellular injury [40].

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6270077/#!po=30.5310

Reishi-reishi mushrooms – Significantly reduced levels of 5-alpha reductase, preventing conversion of testosterone into the more potent DHT. High levels of DHT are a risk factor for conditions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), acne, and baldness.

If you want the strongest anti-androgen combination go with reishi that inhibits DHT@80% and green tea extract inhibits DHT@70-98%....nothing else compares or competes.

Here's a post from Teddy

Regarding extracts, one has also noted that extraction methods, such as solvent used, make a big difference. For instance, Reishi can be extracted with either water or alcohol (or other ) solvent. And my understanding is that due to different solubility of the active ingredients the results will be very different.

Especially regarding RR, I have found from a study that the anti-androgenic effect is from triterpenoids (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16962782/). Those are according to some other sources mainly extracted by organic solvents such as alcohol, while water-based extraction doesn't provide much of them but mainly extracts polysaccharides (which have instead some interesting anti-carcinogenic properties)

A preliminary investigation of the enzymatic inhibition of 5alpha-reduction and growth of prostatic carcinoma cell line LNCap-FGC by natural astaxanthin and Saw Palmetto lipid extract in vitro.

J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(1):17-26.
Abstract
Inhibition of 5alpha-reductase has been reported to decrease the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and possibly inhibit or help treat prostate cancer. PMID 16093232 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Anti-cancer potential of flavonoids: recent trends and future perspectives
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3824783/

Reishi info
Anti-androgen effects of extracts and compounds from Ganoderma lucidum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19235153
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When the ratio of the extract is listed on the label 1:1 or 1:5 it's referring to the weight of the herb/plant and volume of the solvent used (alcohol/water).

Manufacturers use different extraction processes, some might use solvents (alcohol) or high pressure cold water. Or some will go with CO2 extraction or Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE). You'll also get different explanations on how these results are obtained. For instance, this one comes from herb inc.

Liquid Extract Strength

The strength ratio listed on liquid extracts is a weight to volume ratio (gram:ml)

1:1 = 1 gram (1000 mg) per 1 ml (20 drops)
1:2 = .5 grams (500 mg) per 1 ml (20 drops)
1:4 = .25 grams (250 mg) per 1 ml (20 drops)
1:5 = .2 grams (200 mg) per 1 ml (20 drops)
2:1 = 2 grams (2000 mg) per 1 ml (20 drops)

Note: Simply because a company used 1 gram of plant to 1 ml of alcohol does not mean you are necessarily getting 1 gram worth of plant matter per 20 drop dose - this depends on how readily the active constituents of a plant dissolve in alcohol.

Also, Fresh Extract and Dry Extract strengths cannot be compared. Fresh Extracts will often appear to have a stronger ratio because the company must compensate for the water mass of a fresh plant by adding more of the plant. Thus, a 1:5 Dry Extract is frequently stronger than a 1:1 Fresh Extract, depending on the plant in question. Herb Pharm extracts tend to follow Pharmacopoeia guidelines for selecting fresh or dried plant, Gaia tends to follow a "fresh is better" approach; there is most likely validity to both arguments.

Gaia brand extracts use a method known as "double maceration" - a 1:1 extract from Gaia is a 1:2 extract in which the plant material is replaced with fresh plant material after the first extraction. This may or may not make an extract stronger depending on the plant and the solubility of the plant's active constituents.
In summary, it is nearly impossible to tell how strong an extract will be until you try it yourself. "Standardized" extracts, in which a company tells you the concentration of active constituents (most companies will only test their product once despite seasonal crop variations), are not necessarily stronger than a normal extract. The best advice we can offer is to find a brand you like and stick with it.

[wee2er]

Yet again brill info, many thanks Lotus.
What I've always missed when researching is really key.....

Lotus Wrote
If you want the strongest anti-androgen combination go with reishi that inhibits DHT@80% and green tea extract inhibits DHT@70-98%....nothing else compares or competes.

Hope you continue to be on the mend, wishing you well.