Mushrooms: Our Fungal Pharmacy

Sara Thyr, ND

Fungi Characteristics
100,000 described species

Mycologists estimate may be more than 1.5

million species

Classified in kingdom Fungi (eukaryotic)

Can grow to enormous size 1500 acres

Fungi
Are decomposers Absorb nutrients from their environment Break down organic matter from dead organisms, leaves, garbage and other waste When break down organic compounds, are released into environment where are recycled

Form vital symbiotic relationships

Most terrestrial plants have fungal partners Live in close association with roots Help plants obtain phosphate ions and other minerals from the soil Lichens are symbiotic relationship of fungi and algae or cyanobacteria

How fungi get nutrients

Like animals, fungi are heterotrophs Absorb food from environment (preformed carbon molecules) Infiltrate a food source and secrete digestive enzymes onto it Rapidly converts nutrients into new cell material

Structure - chitin
Cell walls contain chitin (a complex carbohydrate) Chitin is also component of external skeletons of insects and other arthropods Chitin is resistant to breakdown by most microorganisms

Structure

Structure
Fungi contain network of filaments Multicellular body contains long, branched threadlike

filaments called hyphae

As hyphae grow, a tangled mass or network called mycelium is formed

Spores (for those w sexual reproduction) produced on

fruiting structures (sporangia - familiar part of mushroom is fruiting body)

Life cycle of fungi

Controversy in classification
Fungi are more closely related to animals than plants! Like plants: have cell walls & vacuoles, are sessile; many inhabit the soil Unlike plants: fungal cell walls do not contain cellulose (rather contain chitin as in insect skeletons) Fungal mode of nutrition differs from plants cannot produce their own organic materials Like animals, fungi are heterotrophs Like animals, fungi have plate-like cristae in their mitochondria Based on structural characters and molecular data, systematists now view fungi as more closely related to animals than to plants

5 Main Fungal Phyla

 Form intracellular association with roots of most trees and herbaceous plants

Glomeromycetes are symbionts with plant roots

Assn. between hyphae of fungi and roots of plants are called mycorrhizae Mutualistic symbiotic association both benefit

Ascomycetes
32,000 species Great impact on humans

Make cheeses, bake bread, and eat (morels and truffles)

Produce antibiotics Form mycorrhizae with tree roots

40% join with algae or cyanobacteria to form lichens

Negative side: cause most fungal diseases of plants and animals

Basidiomycetes
Over 30,000 species Largest and most familiar of the fungi

Many are decomposers that obtain nutrients by breaking

down organic matter Mushroom is formed as fruiting body more formally

basidiocarp
Lower surface of the cap consists of many gills where basidiospores form

Reproduction

Ecological importance
Free-living decomposers absorbing nutrients from organic wastes and dead organisms Degrade cellulose and lignin, the main components of plant cell walls Release water, CO2, and minerals which are recycled Without this continuous decomposition, essential nutrients would remain locked up in huge mounds of animal carcass, feces, branches, logs and

leaves
The nutrients within them would not be unavailable for use by new generations of organisms Life would eventually cease!!!

Symbiosis
Important symbiotic relationships w/ animals, plants, bacteria

3-way symbiotic relationship w a fungus, a grass and a

virus has recently been reported In geothermal hot spots of Yellowstone

When has specific virus, fungus is heat tolerant and confers

this to the grass (when virus not present, no heat tolerance)

Get along well w/ others

More than 200 species of ants farm fungi 80% of plants have mycorrhizae Many cannot grow well without their fungal partners

Improve soil by decreasing water loss and erosion

Can reclaim soils damaged by pollution Mycorrhizae can modify toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, so that plants cannot absorb them

Bioremediation
Some fungi can biodegrade pesticides, herbicides Some break down coal tars and petroleum Convert into CO2 and their basic elements Fungi and bacteria can decontaminate farm land and clean up oil spills

Fuel Impact
Renewable fuel companies are researching fungi for fuel
production Recently a fungus was discovered than synthesizes 55

hydrocarbons, perhaps to inhibit growth of other

organisms Researchers may be able to use the genes of this fungus to

engineer other microorganisms to efficiently produce fuel

Fungi in Medicine
1928 Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin produced by the mold Penicillium notatum

Other Rx from fungi: cephalosporin ABx, statins,

and cyclosporine

Claviceps purpurea infects rye and produces ergot

used to induce labor, stop uterine bleeding, treat HTN, and some migraines.

Penicillium conidiophores

Yummy!
Yeasts produce ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide from sugars beer and bread!!!

Roughly 200 species are edible (roughly 30 are found in

supermarkets) Cheeses such as Roquefort, Brie and Camembert not

possible without species of Penicillium (the blue spots are

masses of conidia) But watch out for the 70 poisonous species

Death cap (Amanita phalloides)

Medicinal Mushrooms
Have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years Western researchers are starting to catch on Myriad mushrooms to discuss

Properties
Plant cell walls made of cellulose, beta 1-4

linked glucose molecules

Fungi cell walls made of chitin, beta 1-3

linked polysaccharide chain (1-3 , 1-6 bglucan

Fungal beta glucan

Beta glucans
Yeast and oats also form beta glucans Structure of mushroom beta glucans is more diverse Therefore have higher levels activity in immune system Mushroom polysaccharides have immunological activity
77.5% from mushroom fruiting body 20.8% from mycelium 2.0% from culture filtrate (broth)

Active properties
Proteins Tripterpenes Sterols Chitin Enzymes Polysaccharides!! Most widespread

Proteins
Ling Zhi-8 (LZ-8) from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Fve, EA-6 and Flammulin from Flammulina velutipes (Enokitake) Immune modulation act on monocytes; effect T-cell activation Ribosome inactivation Anti-HIV Velutin inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase Anti-fungal Nuclease activity Lectins have been isolated from many mushrooms, including F. velutipes, Grifola frondosa and G. lucidum.

Triterpenes
Families of ganoderic and lucidenic acids from Ganoderma lucidum are best known, give it many therapeutic properties

Including: anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine,

hypotensive and sedative actions Betulinic acid from Birch trees, taken up by Inonotus obliquus

(Chaga) anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral

Antrodia camphorata unique Taiwanese mushroom high levels of triterpenes

Sterols
Principal sterol is ergosterol, with H. erinaceus fruiting body containing high amounts Anti-tumor activity has been shown, as well as anti-angiogenic properties
Isolation of an antitumour compound (Ergosterol) from Agaracus blazei Murill and its mechanism of action. Takaku T, Kimura Y, Okuda H. J Nutr.
2001;131:1409-1413

Anti-aging activity on par with resveratrol

Ganodermasides A and B, two novel anti-aging ergosterols from spores of a medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum on yeast via UTH1 gene Weng Y, Xiang L, Matsuura A, Zhang Y, Huang Q, Qi J. Biorreg Med Chem. 2010;18(3):684-1002

Chitin
Primary component of fungal cell walls Effects on innate and adaptive immune responses Ability to recruit and activate innate immune cells

Can induce cytokine and chemokine production

Anti-bacterial and antioxidant activity However is component of allergy-triggering allergens including those in shrimp, crab and house dust mite

Enzymes
Digestive enzymes (proteases, lipases, etc.) Antioxidant enzymes (laccase, catalase, superoxide dismutase [SOD]) SOD is acid-labile - no bioactivity Tyrosinase genoprotective effect in vitro

 Most widespread and most immunologically important Profound impact on immune system

Polysaccharides Key to Immune activity

Mediated by a number of fungal polysaccharide-specific

receptors on surface of several immune cell types Key immune cells are hard-wired to respond to the

presence of fungal polysaccharides

Immune system most likely evolved under constant challenge of fungal pathogens

Immune system activation by fungal beta glucans

Fungal Polysaccharides Effect on Immune System

Increase antibody production Increase lymphocyte activating factor (IL-1) production Increase tumor necrosis factor production Increase colony stimulating factor production Increase complement C3 production Increase IFN-gamma production Increase IL-2 production Reduction in the level of IL-2 needed to produce a cytotoxic response Th1 activation

Immune response (cont.)

Macrophage activation Neutrophil activation Cytotoxic T-cell activation Lymphokine activated killer cell proliferation Enhanced maturation and tumor infiltration of dendritic cells

Th2 suppression
Reduce IL-4 production Inhibit prostaglandin synthesis Inhibit delayed type hypersensitivity

Powell, Martin. Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. Mycology Press. 2010.

Shift for Chronic Health Dso.

Mushroom polysaccharides promote shift in pattern of immune response

Cancer, auto-immune disorders, allergic health conditions

Shift from pro-inflammatory, Th2 dominant to cytotoxic, Th1 dominant

Increases especially critical are in Th1 cytokines such as IL2, IFN-y Decrease in Th2 cytokines such as IL-4

Extraction Process
Hundreds of mushroom products on shelves Most research done on hot water extracts Or hot water extracts w/ alcohol extract

Know what the process is for extraction

Human GI tract cannot break down chitin

Fruiting body or Conk

Fruiting body has highest level of different polysaccharides v mycelium or culture broth

Conk sterile fungal growth on tree trunk (Inonotus obliquus)

Triterpenes in G. lucidum higher in fruiting body Antrodia camphorata data show triterpenes in biomass 40% of that

in fruiting body
Biomass products tend to have leftover substrate, not just mycelium

Extracts
Aqueous extracts (traditional teas/decoctions) give high polysaccharide concentrations but lower levels of triterpenes

Ethanol (alcohol) extracts yield more triterpenes but fewer

polysaccharides Some companies do both processes and combine in products Extracts preferred in cases of gut dysbiosis or impaired ability to break down whole mushroom or biomass products

Spores
Fruiting body exists to spread spores in reproduction Rich in fatty acids, which have some therapeutic action G. lucidum spores v fruiting body show little difference in immunological activity

Mycelium (liquid/submerged
fermentation)
Liquid fermentation is used in pharm industry to produce antibiotics (also fungal enzymes)

Controlled situation for nutrients and temperature to get

most of desired components Mycelium easily harvested from liquid and processed into

extracts (PSK & Lentinan)

Metabolites secreted into broth may also be harvested (Schizophyllan from Schizophyllum commune)

Mycelial Biomass (solid state

fermentation)
Mushroom culture is inoculated into sterile, grain-based substrate

(brown rice)
Once substrate is exhausted and about to produce fruiting bodies, mass of mycelium and residual substrate is dried and granulated

Extract contains antibiotics, exopolysaccharides, enzymes,

antioxidants (catalase, SOD) and substrate breakdown products arabinoxylans (have own therapeutic value) Examples are Biobran, MGN-3 (shitake digested rice bran) and Avemar (yeast digested wheat germ) Have range of bioactive molecules, but key immunomodulating beta-glucans and related polysaccharides are low

Side Effects/CI
Large-scale studies show minimal side effects None serious (rash, redness, nausea) Bowel changes in a few patients, resolves in 2-3 days

Avoid in patient w/ mushroom allergy

Avoid in patients on Coumadin or heparin (some have blood thinning properties) Avoid in patients with Hx organ transplant

Ideal Medicinal Mushrooms

Agaricus brasiliensis/Agaricus blazei
Armillaria mellea

Auricularia auricula
Cordyceps sinensis

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)

Grifola frondosa (Maitake)

Medicinal Mushrooms
Hericium erinaceus (Lions Mane) Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom) Trametes versicolor/Coriolus versiclor (Turkey Tail)

G. lucidum

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)

Swiss Army Knife of mushrooms Hx use over 2000 years

Ten-thousand-year mushroom
Mushroom of immortality Herb of Spiritual Potency Traditional use by Taoist monks to promote centered calmness, improve meditative practices and attain a long and healthy life Revered in Japanese culture considered the most important of all

medicinal mushrooms

G. lucidum
Polysaccharides and triterpenes provide medicinal action Chitin contributes to hardness of Reishi Must do decoction to extract medicinal benefits

Boil 2-15 g of chopped or powdered Reishi mushroom in 2L

water, until 2/3 of water is reduced Macerate 90 g chopped or powdered Reishi in 500 ml rice wine

for 10 days
American Herbal Pharmacopoeia & Therapeutic Compentdium. Reishi Mushroom. Ganoderma lucidum. Standards of Analysis, Quality Control, and Therapeutics. Ed: Roy Upton. April 2006

G. lucidum
Very high polysaccharide and triterpene over 130 compounds have been isolated in families of ganoderic and lucidenic acids Fruiting bodies contain 41% beta glucan Is an adaptogen

G. lucidum
Health Benefits seen from ganoderic and lucidenic acids:

Inhibit histamine release

Inhibit viral induction Hepatoprotective Antioxidant Anti-hypertensive (ACE inhibiting)

Anti-tumor
Inhibit cholesterol synthesis CNS sedation Anti-inflammatory Anti-microbial Induce apoptosis Immune modulation

G. lucidum in Cancer
Long Hx traditional Tx of cancer, credited w many cases of spontaneous remission

Triterpenes cytotoxic to many cancer cell lines

Inhibit nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB This particularly important v breast and prostate CA as

important in hormone independent growth

Increase NK cell activity and Th1 cytokine and decrease TH2 cytokine levels in advanced lung cancer patients

G. lucidum in athletes

Hot water extracts have been shown to have

anti-inflammatory effects equal to 5 mg

hydrocortisone (220 mg Reishi extract)

G. lucidum in allergies
Suppression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha
confers strong anti-inflammatory effects Also suppression of IL-6, NO and PGE2 via NFKB signaling pathway Component in Chinese formula shown to completely block anaphylactic reactions in mouse model of peanut allergy

Reishi and Liver Dz.

Tx hepatitis triterpene component Prevent hepatic fibrosis via inhibiting proliferation of hepatic stellate cells

Cardiovascular benefits
Polysaccharides and triterpenes are:

Hypolipidemic
Hypotensive Anti-thrombotic

Decrease chest pain and improve ECG

Decrease SOB and cardiac palpitation Mild ACE inhibitory activity
A phase I/II study of ling zhi mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.) Lloyd (Aphyllophoromycetidae) extract in patients with coronary heart disease. Gao Y, Chen G. Dai X, Ye J, Zhou S. Int J Med Mushr. 2004;6(4):30

Other health conditions

Insomnia/anxiety spirit mushroom, mental stabilization Rheumatoid arthritis immune modulatory and antiinflammatory; dec RA synovial fibroblasts (in vitro) (NFKappaB pathway)

Anti-aging traditionally to promote longevity, shown to inhibit betaamyloid synaptic toxicity (Alzheimers), broad spectrum cardiovascular, neurological and immune benefits

Blood sugar control elevates plasma insulin, enhances tissue

utilization of glucose, enhance liver metabolism of glucose

G. lucidum dose and CI

Folk use in CA: 25-300g/day fruiting body decoction Avg. concentration of 15:1 gives 2-20g/day of extract

(most practitioners use 3-6 g/day)

For other conditions 1-3 g/day are common Triterpenes are alcohol soluble but ideal to do HWE 1st Caution on anti-hypertensive and sedative meds; on anti-coagulant drugs

Agaricus brasiliensis/Agaricus blazei Murrill

Agaricus brasiliensis (Sun Agaric)

A. brasiliensis in Cancer
Quickly becoming very popular medicinal mushroom Polysaccharide extracts have strong activity against lung and ovarian cancer, Ehrlich ascites cancer and sarcoma Synergistic benefits with chemo- and radiotherapy Decreased cachexia and promoted weight gain while reducing tumor size (rat cachexia model)

Reduced chemotherapy related side effects in human volunteers (2008

study) including appetite loss, alopecia, emotional stability and general weakness Most research is positive, a few studies have shown no effect

A. brasiliensis/Agaricus blazei Murrill

Anti-infective and Anti-tumor properties Prevents side effects of chemo and radiation Type of extract important in immune system effect liquid mushroom drink (AbM, H. erinaceus, G. frondosa)

Effects of the Medicinal Mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill on Immunity, Infection and Cancer G. Hetland, E. Johnson, T. Lyberg, S. Bernardshaw, A. M. A. Tryggestad & B. Grinde Scand J Immunol. 2008 Oct;68(4):363-70. doi: 10.1111/j.13653083.2008.02156.x

A. brasiliensis & other conditions

Diabetes decreases cholesterol and glucose levels
Allergies reduces Th2 mediated allergic rxn (AndoSan) Hepatoprotective Tx hep B, reduced liver enzymes (20g

bid x 3 months)
Fruiting body extract are in most studies Usual dose 3 g/day polysaccharide extract (some studies show effect of culture broth and biomass)

Armillaria mellea (Honey Mushroom)

Armillaria mellea
High levels of polysaccharides Anti-aging

Immune modulating
Antibiotics have been isolated (activity v Staph, Strep, Enterococcus, yeast and other fungi)

Neurological Menieres syndrome, vertigo, epilepsy,

neurasthenia, and HTN Not readily available commercially

Auricularia auricula (Judas Ear/ Wood Ear)

A. auricula
Grows widely throughout US, Asia and
Europe

Found easily fresh and dried in Asian markets

As with other jelly fungi, has high levels of

polysaccharides
Functional food for elderly developed as an

additive for bread

Auricularia auricula (Judas Ear)

Anti-inflammatory calms irritated mucous membranes Antioxidant both phenols and polysaccharides

Anti-thrombotic inhibits platelet aggregation (in vivo and

in vitro) Anti-cholesterol lowers total cholesterol, triglycerides

and LDL (rat study)

Cardio protective enhance SOD and decreases lipid peroxidation

A. auricula
Polysaccharides are key component

Dose: 2-3 g/day of HWE polysaccharides

Caution: patients on anti-coagulant Rx;

patients trying to conceive (anti-fertility

action)

Cordyceps sinensis

Cordyceps sinensis
Also called caterpillar fungus

Got world-wide attention in 1993 when Chinese runners broke nine world
records coach said were taking Cordyceps-based tonic Increases energy levels and endurance Mountain climbers use to reduce altitude sickness (oxygenates blood) Has become one of the top-selling sports supplements among elite athletes Used in elderly in China as super-ginseng Cs-4 is cultivated strain
Stengler, Mark, ND. The Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2005

Cordyceps sinensis
Can interrupt RNA/DNA synthesis use as reverse transcriptase inhibitor, Tx HIV and hepatitis (AZT/Retrovir, Videx and Epivir) Anti-aging Cs-4 shown to increase oxygen uptake, aerobic capacity and resistance to fatigue

Cordyceps and fertility

Sexual Function increases male sex hormones,

sperm quality and quantity (in vitro affects

signal transduction pathway of steroidogenesis)

Fertility benefits female fertility and success

of IVF (also increases libido)

Cordyceps sinensis
Stimulates 17-estradiol production, through

increased StAR (steroidogenic acute

regulatory protein) and aromatase expression

Potential for management of

postmenopausal osteoporosis

Cordyceps sinensis
Diabetes Inc. insulin and sensitivity of cells to it (1 study
95% of pt. on 3g/day C. sinensis biomass saw improved blood sugar, compared to 54% of those Tx with other methods.

Hepatoprotective Tx alcohol-induced liver steatosis; 14 pts 70% dec. in

AST, 63% dec. in ALT and 64% dec in GGT over 3 month period (biomass)

Kidney protective Tx chronic nephritis, kidney failure, chronic pyelonephritis, and protects v chemicals that

are toxic to kidneys, increase in creatinine clearance &

reduction in BUN

Cordyceps sinensis
Cardiovascular arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, and chronic heart failure,

Lipids lowers cholesterol, LDL and VLDL and increases HDL

Animal studies show Cordyceps can dilate coronary arteries and increase blood flow to the heart

Respiratory shown to be beneficial for asthma and COPD

Cancer cordycepin (nucleoside derivative) induces apoptosis, inhibits NF-kB and increases Th1 promoting cytokines

Cordyceps sinensis
Dosage 800-2400 mg of hot water/ethanol extract from fermented mycelia of Cordyceps

sinensis, strain Cs-4, w/ min 14% polysaccharide,

6% cordycepic acid, and 0.15% adenosine (Take

1-3 400mg caps bid on empty stomach)

Safety very safe; avoid in organ transplant patients using immunosuppressive agents

Grifola frondosa (Maitake)

Grifola frondosa (Maitake)

Valued in Japan as both food and medicine Maitake in Japanese means dancing mushroom

Long used as an adaptogen

1984 maitake fraction discovered that stimulates macrophages

MaitakeGold 404 enhance damaging activity of NK cells

against cancer cells and change the NK precursor cells into activated NK cells

Grifola frondosa in Cancer

U Mass at Amherst found significant inhibitory activity v human cervical cancer and T4 leukemic cells

Improves chemotherapy by 12-28%

Nanba et al reported MD-fraction w/ fruiting body powder in CA patients whod d/cd chemo dt side effects: improvement

in 7 of 12 liver CA pts, 11 of 16 breast CA pts, and 5 of 8 lung

CA pts
Can Maitake MD-fraction aid cancer patients? Kodama N, Komuta K, Nanba H. Alt Med Rev. 2002;(7)3:236-9

Grifola frondosa (Maitake)

Reduces Chemo Side Effects reduced adverse rxn such as hair loss, pain, and nausea as well as diminished pain from end stage cancer Diabetes some animal studies; also small human study showed BG lowering Cholesterol high dose, mostly animal studies Hypertension

Grifola frondosa (Maitake)

Dosage 300-2400 mg hot water extract daily, w/ min of 20% polysaccharide (beta-glucan). 1-4 (400 mg) capsules bid, empty stomach. D-fraction/MD-fraction oral dose 35-150mg/day Safety- very safe; avoid in organ transplant patients using immunosuppressive agents

Hericium erinaceus (Lions Mane)

Hericium erinaceus (Lions Mane)

Hericium erinaceus (Lions Mane)

Natures nutrient for Neurons dt stimulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) Low levels of NGF linked to early Alzheimers and dementia Dementia improvement in mild dementia in 6 of 7 pts (consumed 5
g/day H. erinaceus fruiting body in soup)

A randomized study 30 pts (age 50-80 w/ mild dementia) 3 g/day tablets increased cognitive function in Tx group
Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive
impairment: a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. Mori, K. et al. Phytother Res. 2009;23(3)

H. erinaceus (Lions Mane)

MS improved myelination in vitro; NGF suppresses immune-mediated inflammation

Neuropathy low NGF linked to sensory neuropathy

Nerve damage quicker recovery from nerve injury (rats) MRSA pts in Japan cleared of MRSA via H. erinaceus in

diet
Gastritis ABx and protects mucosa (human and rat studies)

H. erinaceus Dosage/Food Ideas

3-5 g/day dried fruiting body to increase NGF Chinese Pharmacopoeia 25-50g/day studies on gastric ulcers would be equal at 500mg/kg Consider long-term using in foods soups, etc Caution: asthma/allergies; potential hallucinogenic properties

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga)

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga)

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga)

Found in forests of Eastern Europe and Russia, mostly on white birch (Betula pubescens tree of life and fertility in

local myths)
Traditional use was a tea used to Tx inoperable breast cancer, hip, gastric, parotid, pulmonary, stomach, skin,

rectal and Hodgkin's disease

Betulinic acid (a triterpene) is key component (also high in bark of birch trees
Powell, Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide, 2010.

I. obliquus: Betulinic acid

Induces mitochondrial apoptosis in some
cancer cell lines

Inhibits the enzyme topoisomerase (affects

DNA replication)

Anti-retroviral
Anti-parasitic & anti-inflammatory

I. obliquus: Betulinic acid & Cancer

In vitro studies show activity against cancer

cells: human melanoma, malignant brain

tumors, ovarian cancer, head and neck

squamous cell tumors

In vivo (rodent) studies confirm anti-cancer

activity and no systemic toxicity

Betulinic acid, a natural compound with potent anticancer effects. Mullauer et al. Anticancer Drugs. 2010.

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) Antioxidant

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga)

Dose Aqueous extract (prepared by

decocting, as used traditionally) show anticancer effect

2-5 g/day
Anti-oxidant activity Phenolic extract

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake)

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake)

Gourmet food in the West, and important
ingredient in Asian cuisine, w/ annual

production (2 million tons) 2nd only to

common button mushroom

Excellent nutritional profile w/ high levels of B

vitamins and pro-vitamin D2

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake)

LEM a crude mycelial extract w/ immunomodulating activity - glycoproteins, nucleic acid derivatives, vitamin B compounds & ergosterol Lentinan polysaccharide - is licensed in Japan to Tx gastric CA

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake)

Other compounds found in L. edodes: Eritadenine cholesterol lowering Lentin anti-fungal, inhibits reverse transcriptase (HIV, leukemia)

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake): Cancer

Advanced gastric cancer (review of 5 clinical trials, 650 patients) Lentinan at 2 mg/week in addition to chemo increased survival and decreases chemo side effects Usually given via injxn, but oral bioavail. too.

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake): Cholesterol

Eritadenine accelerates excretion of ingested cholesterol Initially levels thought too low in whole shiitakes, but new research shows higher levels, may help when pts show statin intolerance

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake): Hepatitis B

LEM (extracted polysaccharides) hepatoprotective Study of 40 pts w/ chronic Hep B 6 g/day for 4 months Improved liver function 17 pts became seronegative for Hbe antigen
Yap et al, The medicinal benefits of Lentinan (B-1, 3-d glucan) from Lentinus edodes (Shiitake mushroom) through oral administration. Int J Med Mushr. 2005.

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake)

HIV LEM increased T-cell count in HIV pts from 125o/mm3 to 2550/mm3 after 60 days Candida in vitro studies show highest anticandida action among mushroom species

Lentinus edodes (Shiitake)

Active constituents polysaccharides Dosage 800-3000 mg of hot water extract daily, w/ min

10-20% polysaccharide (beta-glucan)

1-5 capsules daily, morning and evening, on empty stomach

Safety extracts lentinan and LEM are very safe. Rare

sensitivity reports dermatitis. Caution in pts w/ sensitive skin.

Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom)

Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom)

Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom)

Well-known as culinary mushroom Contains lovastatin (0.7-2.8% dried weight)

Cholesterol - decreased VLDL 65-80% & total lipids

40% in hamsters fed high fat diet Negates elevation in triglycerides and chol. associated w/ chronic alcohol intake May suppress appetite, reduce lipids in diabetic pts.

Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom)

Anti-aging:

Increase activity of catalase, superoxide

dismutase, & glutathione peroxidase

Helps prevent decline in levels of Vitamins C

and E associated with aging

Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom)

Dose: 2-3 g/day polysaccharide (hot water) extract

Dose for cholesterol lowering: 10-15 g/day dried

fruit body

Caution in patients taking protease inhibitors

such as ritonavir, indinavir (may raise statin levels)

Trametes versicolor/Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail)

Trametes versicolor/Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail)

Trametes versicolor/Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail)

Most well-studied mushroom extract in the

world
Leading anti-cancer drug derived from this

mushroom: PSK (Krestin)

PSP & PSK polysaccharide complexes

Trametes versicolor/Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail) Cancer

Stomach Cancer PSK inc. survival times at all stages
Colorectal cancer PSK inc. 5 yr & 8 yr survival post surgery and chemotherapy

Lung cancer (stages I-III) PSK inc. 5 yr survival 2-4x

Esophageal PSK inc 5 yr survival post surgery, radiation and chemo; PSP significant inc in 5 yr survival and improved quality of life

Trametes versicolor/Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail)

Nasopharyngeal PSK inc. 5 yr survival (but not disease free period after chemo and radiation)

Breast cancer mixed evidence; PSK inc survival in

estrogen receptor negative CA; Pts w/ HLA B40 100% survival after 10 yrs

Cervical/uterine cancers PSK (3-6 g/day) w/ radiation

improved survival and increased sensitivity of CA to radiation

T. versicolor/C. versicolor
HIV PSK in vitro anti-HIV via several routes
Herpes clinically reduce frequency of HSV

outbreaks
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome biomass shows

immune system activation and increased NK

cell activity

Trametes versicolor/Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail)

Key component: polysaccharides Dose: 3 g/day (3-6 g/day for cancer) Immune deficiency: biomass 3 g/day (for cancer 15 g/day)

References
Couto, Silva. Evaluation of Coriolus versicolor Supplementation in HPV patients. Clinical Journal of Mycology. Feb 2007. Vol. 2 (2-11). Godoy, Stephanie research assistant

Hetland, G. E. Johnson, T. Lyberg, S. Bernardshaw, A. M. A. Tryggestad & B. Grinde Effects of the Medicinal
Mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill on Immunity, Infection and Cancer Scand J Immunol. 2008 Oct;68(4):363-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2008.02156.x

Kelly-Pieper, Kelly et al. Safety and tolerability of an antiasthma herbal formula (ASHMI) in adult asthmatics: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose escalation phase I study. J Altern Compliment Med. 2009 July: 15(7)735-743.

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Sara Thyr, ND
Willowbend Natural Medicine www.DrThyr.com 707-780-6033 sara@DrThyr.com