Collection of medicinal mushrooms
including Enoki, King Oyster mushrooms, and Shiitake
Medicinal mushrooms are
mushrooms used in the practice of
medicine. Many species of mushrooms have been used
in folk medicine for thousands of years. The use of mushrooms in
folk medicine, is best documented in the
East. Medicinal mushrooms are now the subject
of study for many
ethnobotanists and
medical researchers. The ability of some mushrooms to inhibit
tumor growth and enhance aspects of the
immune system has been a subject of
research for approximately 50 years. In the span of this time,
preclinical studies have shown 200 species of mushrooms that
demonstrated the ability to markedly inhibit the growth of
different kinds of tumors, however dosage and effects on humans is
mostly unknown. More extensive information regarding the toxicology
of some medicinal mushrooms is also needed.
Research with mushrooms and fungi in the past, has led to the
discovery of important pharmaceuticals. For example, research with
fungi is how the
statin drugs were developed.
Dr. Akira Endo isolated the
first statin,
mevastatin, from the fungus
Penicillium citrinum in 1976. Later the pharmaceutical
company
Merck & Co. isolated
lovastatin from the fungus
Aspergillus terreus. Recent research has found that the
oyster mushroom naturally produces
lovastatin, mushrooms produce large
amounts of
vitamin D when exposed to
UV light, and that certain fungi may be a
future source of
taxol. In the past, research
conducted with
fungi has also led to the
discovery of
penicillin,
ciclosporin,
griseofulvin,
cephalosporin, and
ergometrine. International mushroom research
continues today, with a focus on mushrooms that may have
hypoglycemic activity, anti-
cancer activity, anti-
pathogenic activity, and
immune system enhancing activity.
History
The concept of a "medicinal mushroom" is far from new. The
Ancient Egyptians considered mushrooms a
special food item for royalty. For hundreds of years in China,
Japan, and other Asian countries, certain mushrooms were thought to
have medicinal acitivity.
For centuries, Chaga mushrooms have been used
in Russia
for
medicinal purposes. In general, civilizations spanning throughout
Asia, Eastern
Europe, and Russia have long
been mushroom-friendly, taking part in mushroom hunting, and incorporating
mushrooms in local cuisines.
Mushrooms
have been viewed from a different light, in places like the
UK
, Ireland
, and North
America. Possible explanations are numerous. One explanation
is due to the fact the
Ancient Greeks
and
Romans were silent about any
possible health benefits of mushrooms. Another possible explanation
is that these countries often associated mushrooms with filth and
were acutely aware of the fact that some are poisonous.
Currently in the
East, mushrooms
continue to enjoy a great reputation. The
Western world is beginning to examine the
concept of medicinal mushrooms and their potential.
In 2008, UC Davis
published a
review of medicinal mushroom research and encouraged further
research by way of clinical
trials. However, the review stated that currently there
is not enough known about medicinal mushrooms to begin promoting
their use in the treatment of specific diseases.
Institutions
furthering medicinal mushroom research include the City of Hope National
Medical Center, as well as the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer
Center
.
Medicinal properties
Polysaccharides
Research suggests the compounds in medicinal mushrooms most
responsible for up-regulating the immune system, are a diverse
collection of
polysaccharides,
particularly
beta-glucans, and to a
lesser extent, alpha-glucans. These polysaccharides are made up of
repeating units of
D-glucose monomers and
come in a huge variety of shapes (due to the multiple locations
available for
glycosidic bonding
between D-glucose units) and molecular weights (due to the varying
lengths possible for D-glucose chains). Proteins can also be
attached to these mushroom polysaccharides. An example of this
would be the protein-bound beta-glucans that are contained in
Polysaccharide-K.
Beta-glucans are currently known as "biological response
modifiers", and their ability to activate the immune system is well
documented. Specifically, beta-glucans stimulate the
innate branch of the immune system.
Research has shown beta-glucans have the ability to stimulate
macrophage,
NK
cells,
T cells, and the production of
immune system
cytokines. Research has also
shown polysaccharides present in medicinal mushrooms may enhance
dendritic cell function.The
mechanisms in which beta-glucans stimulate the immune system is
only partially understood. One mechanism in which beta-glucans are
able to activate the immune system, is by interacting with the
Macrophage-1 antigen (
CD18)
receptor on immune
cells. Other human
receptors
have been identified as being able to receive signals from
beta-glucans such as
Toll-like
receptor 2, Dectin-1, lactosylceramide, and
scavenger receptors.
Direct anti-hormone activity
Mushrooms may be able to influence the production of certain human
hormones, due to evidence from
enzyme
assay analysis. Mushrooms like
Agaricus bisporus may be able to
partially inhibit the activity of
aromatase, the enzyme responsible for producing
estrogen. Mushrooms like
Reishi may be able to partially inhibit the activity
of
5-alpha reductase, the enzyme
responsible for producing
dihydrotestosterone.
Direct anti-viral and anti-microbial properties
Research has shown that some mushrooms exhibit
in vitro
anti-
viral properties.
Research has also shown that some mushrooms exhibit
in
vitro anti-
microbial effects on the
following organisms.
- Agaricus blazei - escherichia coli
- Flammulina velutipes (Enokitake) - staphylococcus aureus
- Fomes fomentarius - escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Ganoderma applanatum - Bacillus cereus, escherichia coli
- Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) - aspergillus niger, Bacillus cereus, candida albicans, escherichia coli
- Grifola frondosa (Maitake) - candida albicans
- Hericium erinaceus - aspergillus niger, Bacillus cereus, candida albicans
- Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) - candida albicans, listeria monocytogenes,
mycobacterium
tuberculosis, staphylococcus aureus,
steptococcus pneumoniae, streptococcus pyogenes
- Piptoporus betulinus - Bacillus cereus, pseudomonas aeruginosa,
pseudomonas
fluorescens
- Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom) - aspergillus niger, Bacillus cereus, escherichia coli, plasmodium falciparum,
pseudomonas
aeruginosa, pseudomonas fluorescens
- Sparassis crispa - Bacillus cereus
- Trametes versicolor - aspergillus niger, candida albicans, escherichia coli, steptococcus
pneumoniae
Although
in vitro research has shown certain mushrooms
contain anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal activity, their
activity in humans is unknown.
Species
Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae
(Reishi/Lingzhi)
Ganoderma lucidum
Ganoderma tsugae
Língzhī (
Reishi Young-Ji, 灵芝, 영지) Chinese for
"spirit plant" is the name for the mushroom
Ganoderma
lucidum. Several species of
Ganoderma have been used
in traditional Asian medicines for thousands of years. The
medicinal effects of the mushroom are thought to be due to
triterpenes like
ganoderic acid, as well as
beta-glucan compounds. The health benefits of
reishi are described in
Shen Nong's
Herbal Classic and Pen T'sao Kang Mu ("
Great Pharmacopoeia").
The Reishi mushroom is
a symbol for health, and is depicted in the Emperor's residences in
the Forbidden
City
as well as the Summer Palace
. The Chinese goddess of healing
Kuan Yin is sometimes depicted holding a Reishi
mushroom. Modern scientific research examining the
Ganoderma mushrooms has revealed a variety of potential
health benefits:
Trametes versicolor (Coriolus versicolor)
Trametes versicolor
Trametes versicolor
(
Coriolus versicolor, Turkey tail, Kawaratake, Yun-Zhi,
云芝) is probably the best documented medicinal mushroom. It is a
mushroom which has provided the world with a leading cancer drug.
The drug is known as
Polysaccharide-K (Kresin, PSK, PSP) and its
use is intended to counter-act the immune system depressing actions
of common chemotherapeutic drugs.
In Japan, the Health and Welfare Ministry
(equivalent to the United States' Food and Drug
Administration) approved Polysaccharide-K in the 1980s.
All health care plans in Japan cover the use of
Polysaccharide-K.
Used in conjunction with
chemotherapy,
PSK has increased the survival time of cancer patients in
randomized, control studies, with the following types of cancer
In vitro research has shown that PSK may enhance the
activity of chemotherapeutic drugs
doxorubicin and
etoposide.
The United
States' top-ranked cancer hospital, the MD Anderson
, has reported that Polysaccharide-K is a "promising
candidate for chemoprevention due to the multiple effects on the
malignant process, limited side effects and safety of daily oral
doses for extended periods of time."
Grifola frondosa (Maitake)
Grifola frondosa
Maitake (Hen of the Woods) is an edible
mushroom commonly found on oak trees.
Research into potential anti-cancer properties
This year,
a phase I/II human trial, conducted by Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer
Center, showed Maitake could stimulate the immune systems
of breast cancer patients.
In vitro research has also shown
Maitake can stimulate immune system cells. An
in vivo experiment showed that Maitake could
stimulate both the
innate immune
system and
adaptive immune
system.
In 1997, the
U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved an
Investigational New Drug
Application for a portion of the mushroom.Research has shown
Maitake has a
hypoglycemic effect, and
may be beneficial for the management of
diabetes. The reason Maitake lowers blood sugar is
due to the fact the mushroom naturally contains an
alpha-glucosidase inhibitor.
Maitake contains
antioxidants and may
partially inhibit the enzyme
cyclooxygenase (the same enzyme which is the
target of Advil, Tylenol, and other
NSAIDS).
An experiment showed that an exact of Maitake inhibited
angiogenesis via inhibition of the growth
factor
VEGF.
Agaricus subrufescens (Agaricus blazei)
Agaricus blazei
Agaricus blazei (
Agaricus
brasiliensis, Agarikusutake, Kawarihiratake, Himematsutake,
姫松茸) is a species of
mushroom, that
research has shown can stimulate the immune system and exhibit
anti-cancer activity. These effects are thought to be due to the
mushroom's high concentration of low molecular weight
polysaccharides. Unlike some other medicinal mushrooms,
Agaricus blazei was not cultivated in the
East until fairly recently.
This mushroom was
imported to Japan
from
Brazil
and
cultivated in the 1970s. In Japan,
Agaricus blazei
is a highly popular alternative medicine, which is used by close to
500,000 people. In Japan,
Agaricus blazei is also the most
popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer
patients.
According to the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer
Center, the number 2 ranked cancer hospital in the US
according to U.S. News,
[793012] "there is some proof showing Agaricus
extract may benefit patients with certain cancers. But more studies
are needed to confirm these observations."
Agaricus blazei contains a high concentration of
beta-glucan a compound which has been shown to
stimulate immune system cells like
NK
cells,
macrophage, and
polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
In addition, cellular and animal model experiments have shown that
Agaricus blazei may stimulate immune system
cytokines like
interferons,
interleukins, and
TNF-alpha.Additional research suggests,
Agaricus blazei has a beneficial effect on cellular
health, blood
glucose,
cholesterol, inhibiting
angiogenesis (via inhibition of
VEGF) and inhibiting pathogenic factors. This mushroom
also contains
antioxidants.
Research into potential anti-cancer properties
Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom)
Pleurotus ostreatus
The
Oyster mushroom (Hiratake, píng
gū, 平菇) is a natural source of the
statin
drug
Lovastatin (brand name: Mevacor,
Altoprev), a drug used to lower cholesterol. Tests have shown the
oyster mushroom contains up to 2.8% Lovastatin on a dry weight
basis. Animal research has demonstrated that oyster mushroom
consumption lowers cholesterol levels. Research has also shown the
oyster mushroom has anti-cancer properties.
In vitro
research has shown oyster mushrooms can reduce thegrowth of human
breast and colon cancer cells. An
in vivo experiment
showed a beta-glucan isolated from the mushroom reduced colon
cancer growths and increased antioxidant activities in rats. An
in vivo experiment, demonstrated the mushroom's
anti-cancer activity in rats with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced
cancer.
Agaricus bisporus (Common mushroom, Portobello,
Champignon mushroom)
Agaricus bisporus
The
Portobello (Common mushroom,
Champignon mushroom) is the world's most popular edible mushroom,
and is known by many names. The
French, play a role in this mushroom's
popularity, having cultivated the mushroom since the 1600's.
Researchers at the
City of Hope National
Medical Center are studying whether this mushroom may inhibit
breast cancer development.The reason Portobello mushrooms may
reduce the risk of breast cancer, is because they have been shown
in vitro to inhibit the enzyme
aromatase, which is used by the body to create
estrogen. In 2009, a case control study
examined the diets of 2018 women, half of whom had been diagnosed
with
breast cancer. It found a
statistically significant decrease of incidence of the disease in
those women whose diets included more than 10 grams of fresh
mushrooms per day (or the dry equivalent). A similar case control
study involving 362 women, found another strong association between
mushroom consumption and decreased risk of breast cancer. The FDA
and the National Cancer Institute have organized research to
investigate whether Portobello mushroom consumption may reduce the
risk of breast cancer.
[793014]
In vivo research conducted on mice suggests the Portobello
mushroom may enhance
dendritic cell
function.
In vitro testing has shown a compound present in
the Portobello mushroom has anti-cancer properties, inhibiting the
growth of various cancer
cell lines. The
Portobello mushroom, is a rare vegetable source of
conjugated linoleic acid, and
naturally possess
antioxidants, like
ergothioneine.
Lentinula edodes (Shiitake)
Lentinula edodes
Shiitake (椎茸, 香菇, 표고) is a popular culinary
mushroom used in dishes around the world. The mushroom also has a
extensive history as a folk remedy.
During the Ming Dynasty
(AD 1368–1644), physician Wu Juei wrote that
Shiitake was a remedy for upper respiratory diseases, poor blood
circulation, liver trouble, exhaustion, and weakness. Modern
research has demonstrated the Shiitake mushroom
Active Hexose
Correlated Compound (AHCC) is an α-glucan rich compound
isolated from Shiitake. In Japan, AHCC is the second most popular
complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer patients.
AHCC is a well tolerated compound that possess
antioxidant activity, and is metabolized via the
CYP450 2D6 pathway. Research has indicated
AHCC possesses the following activity.
- Increasing resistance to pathogens
in vivo (influenza virus) (west nile encephalitis)
(bacterial infection) (various infectious agents) (bacterial
infection) (influenza virus)
- Producing an anti-cancer effect (269 human hepatocellular
carcinoma patients) (1 patient case study) (44 hepatocellular
carcinoma patients)
- Enhancing immune function (double-blind, placebo-controlled
trial of 21 people)
Lentinan, a compound isolated from
Shiitake, is used as an intravenous anti-cancer agent in some
countries. Lentinan was developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical
company
Ajinomoto, to treat cancers of the
stomach. Studies have demonstrated
lentinan, possesses anti-tumor properties, and
human clinical studies have associated lentinan with a higher
survival rate, higher quality of life, and lower re-occurrence of
cancer. Clinical research with lentinan includes studies with, 78
hepatocellular carcinoma patients 32 gastric cancer patients, a
multi-institutional study of lentinan and gastric cancer, a
meta-analysis of lentinan and gastric cancer, 80 colorectal cancer
patients, 20 gastric cancer patients, 36 hepatocellular carcinoma
patients, and 29 pancreatic cancer patients. The
City of Hope National
Medical Center is currently conducting clinical trials to
determine if a select portion of the Shiitake mushroom, which
includes Lentinan, can inhibit lung cancer.
Hericium erinaceus
Hericium erinaceus
Hericium erinaceus (
Lion's
Mane Mushroom, Yamabushitake, 山伏茸, 猴头菇) has been researched for
possible anti-
dementia activity. Primary
research has demonstrated the following:
- Stimulated rat nerve cells in
vitro.
- A double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial showed
improved cognitive ability.
- Stimulated nerve growth
factor in an in vitro experiment with human astrocytoma cells.
- Stiumlated myelination in an in
vitro experiment.
Flammulina velutipes (Enokitake)
Flammulina velutipes
Enokitake (えのき茸, 팽이버섯) are long, thin
white mushrooms commonly used in Asian cuisines. Enokitake
mushrooms contain compounds with anti-tumor activity and
epidemiological studies in Japan have associated the mushroom with
lower cancer rates. In addition these mushrooms contain the
antioxidant
ergothioneine.
In
vivo research showed that Proflamin, a compound isolated from
Enokitake provided an 85% longer survival time in mice with cancer.
Another
in vivo study showed that Enokitake demonstrated
anti-cancer activity in Swiss albino mice with Sarcoma 180.
Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom)
Inonotus obliquus
The
Chaga mushroom (Kabanoanatake)
has anti-cancer properties and may be able to stimulate the immune
system. In one experiment, mice implanted with B16F10-melanoma,
showed a 4.07-fold increase in survival rate when given a compound
isolated from the Chaga mushroom. The Chaga mushroom contains
betulin and inotodiol, two compounds which
have demonstrated ability to induce
apoptosis of certain cancer cell lines (mouse
leukemia P388 cells,
Jurkat cells).
Researchers have noted the Chaga mushroom has potent
antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory
properties and may be able to lower blood sugar levels.
For
centuries, Chaga mushrooms have been used in Russia for
medicinal purposes.
Sparassis crispa
Sparassis crispa
Sparassis crispa (
Cauliflower mushroom, Hanabiratake) has
been found,
in vivo, to contain compounds which stimulate
the immune system and offer an anti-cancer effect.
In vivo
research showed a compound contained in the mushroom inhibited
solid Sarcoma 180 tumors in mice. An
in vivo experiment
with leukopenic mice, noted that a beta-glucan isolated from the
mushroom stimulated white blood cell production. One
in
vitro experiment with human blood cells noted an extract of
the mushroom could stimulate
IL-8
production.
Pleurotus eryngii
Pleurotus eryngii
Pleurotus eryngii (
King
oyster mushroom, 杏鮑菇, エリンギ) is an edible mushroom.
In
vitro research with murine
T-cells,
showed King Oyster mushrooms may stimulate the immune system by way
of increasing production of
interferon-gamma and
IL-4.
Piptoporus betulinus
Piptoporus betulinus (
Birch
bracket mushroom, Kanbatake) may posses anti-cancer properties
(due to the mushroom's ability to inhibit
matrix metalloproteinase enzymes),
anti-inflammatory properties, anti-bacterial properties, and
anti-viral properties.
Ötzi the
Iceman, a mummified human from 3300 BC, was found carrying
Piptoporus betulinus
wrapped in a leather
string.http://www.abc.net.au/news/indepth/featureitems/s1305469.htm
Some have speculated it was used medicinally, due to the fact the
mummy was found to have intestinal parasites, including
whipworm.
Agrocybe aegerita
Agrocybe aegerita
Agrocybe aegerita (Chestnut
mushroom, Velvet pioppino,
Agrocybe cylindracea,
Yanagimatsutake, Zhuzhuang-tiantougu) possess hypoglycemic
properties, antioxidant compounds, as well as compounds with
inhibitory properties against the enzyme
cyclooxygenase (the same enzyme which is the
target of Advil, Tylenol, and other
NSAIDS).
An
in vitro experiment, revealed the mushroom may offer
anti-cancer and immune-stimulating properties.
Fomes fomentarius
Fomes fomentarius (Tinder conk mushroom, Tsuriganetabe)
contains compounds with anti-cancer activity.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps
Cordyceps (
Caterpillar
fungus, Tochukasu) are a parasitic fungi which grow out of
insects it has infected. The fungus remains essentially dormant
until the caterpillar dies; the fungus then replaces the
caterpillar's body with its own material and grows its stalk upward
and above-ground. The mushroom has a long history in traditional
Chinese medicine as well as traditional Tibetan medicine.In
Tibet Cordyceps is a cash crop with an ever
increasing value.During the
Nepalese
Civil War fractions fought for control of the Cordyceps
trade.
Modern research has indicated the mushroom has:
- Hypoglycemic activity
- Cellular health properties
- Possible anti-depressent activity
Phellinus linteus
Extracts
from Phellinus linteus (Mesima, Meshimakobu, Song-gen, Sang-hwang)
have been used for centuries in traditional Korean
medicine. A paper published by Harvard
Medical School
, reported that Phellinus linteus is a
promising anti-cancer agent. However the paper states more
research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind
Phellinus linteus.
In vitro research published by
the British Journal of Cancer, demonstrated one anti-cancer
mechanism behind
Phellinus linteus. It was found that the
mushroom inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells by way of
inhibiting the enzyme
AKT,as well as inhibiting
angiogenesis.
See also
- Dr. Andrew Weil advocates "unlimited
amounts" of Shiitake, Enokitake, Maitake and Oyster mushrooms. Dr.
Weil's thoughts on medicinal mushrooms and integrative oncology
appear in his new book co-authored with Dr. Donald Abrams,
Integrative Oncology (2009, ISBN 0-19530-944-8)
- Beta-glucan
- Effect of sunlight
on mushrooms article about how ultraviolet light boosts vitamin D levels
in mushrooms.
- Paul Stamets author of Growing
Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms (1996, ISBN 1-58008-175-4) and
Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World
(2005, ISBN 1-58008-579-2).
External links
References
Medicinal Mushrooms and Cancer
2009
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