What Is Chaga Mushroom Extract (Polysaccharides/Triterpenes)? Applications, Dosage, Alternatives & Specifications

Chaga Mushroom Extract Powder, also known as Inonotus obliquus Extract or Chaga Extract, is a natural extract processed from the dried sclerotium of the medicinal fungus Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilát, a member of the Polyporaceae family, through extraction, filtration, concentration, and drying processes. It is a functional ingredient with multiple biological activities. Chaga is a medicinal fungus that grows on birch trees, primarily distributed in cold regions at 40°-50° north latitude, including Siberian Russia, the Far East, Northern Europe, Hokkaido (Japan), North Korea, and Northeastern China (Heilongjiang and Changbai Mountain areas). As early as the 16th century, Chaga was used as a medicinal and edible fungus in various European countries and parts of Russia for the treatment of cancer and various difficult diseases. Since the 20th century, modern research on Chaga has flourished, and its rich chemical composition and diverse pharmacological activities have attracted widespread attention from the global scientific community. The main active components of Chaga extract include polysaccharides (particularly β-glucans), triterpenoids, polyphenols (such as melanin), betulin, sterols, lignins, and alkaloids, with over 200 compounds isolated and identified. The pharmacological effects of Chaga mainly focus on anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering activities. Chaga has been confirmed to have no acute or long-term toxicity through in vivo toxicity experiments, and based on its multiple pharmacological activities and non-toxicity, a series of health products have been developed. Chaga extract products are available in various forms, including ratio extracts (4:1, 10:1, 20:1, 50:1, etc.), polysaccharide content specifications (10%-50%), triterpene content specifications (1%-3%), as well as powders, capsules, and liquids.

The main active components of Chaga extract are shown in the table below: Component Category

Polysaccharides: Chaga polysaccharides are among the highest-content and most intensively studied active components of Chaga. They are mainly composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, and other monosaccharides, with β-1,3/1,6-glucan being the core functional component. Studies have shown that water-soluble polysaccharides in Chaga such as 1,3–1,6 β-glucan content reach as high as 55.6 mg/g. Chaga polysaccharides have good antioxidant properties, capable of scavenging excess free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress damage to cells, and delaying the aging process. They also have blood glucose-regulating effects, maintaining stable blood glucose levels by promoting insulin secretion and improving insulin sensitivity. In anti-tumor studies, Chaga polysaccharides can inhibit the growth and metastasis of tumor cells, induce tumor cell apoptosis, and enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs while reducing their side effects.