54 items | 141 visits
Evidence based information about the health effects of edible mushrooms, especially of their effects on immune function and cancer risk.
Updated on Jan 29, 10
Created on Apr 12, 09
Category: Health & Wellness
URL:
The Author
The author of this site is the British writer, John Davidson.
Please note that the author is neither a doctor, nor a qualified health practitioner. Every cancer patient should always consult his or her medical practitioner with regard to the use of complementary remedies or treatments, and nothing on this site should be construed in any way as medical or therapeutic advice. It is simply the result of one person’s search for solutions. Please read our disclaimer.
About This Site
Internet searches trawl up vast amounts of information about cancer, from a broad spectrum of viewpoints. The information and internet links on this site are for those seeking to augment the treatment offered by their hospital oncology (cancer) unit. Of course, a great many other internet sites concerning cancer can be found by keying the requisite search words into any of the major search engines.
The content of this site was initially prepared, at the request of medical and nursing staff and others, some weeks after I had had an emergency operation for the removal of a colon cancer, and while undergoing chemotherapy in case any cancer cells had gone AWOL. There had been some escape of cancer cells into associated lymph nodes (3 out of 17, including the most distal), but no other tumours had been picked up by a CT scan.
When I returned home from hospital in September 2005, with the help of friends, I started doing some research on cancer. I was amazed to discover that despite the billions of pounds/euros/dollars etc. spent on cancer research, and the many advances in understanding the numerous variants of the disease, the standard treatment for my stage of colon cancer is still a drug (fluorouracil, also called 5FU) that has been in use for more than forty years, has uncomfortable side effects, and which only increases the chances of survival after five years by 5 to 10%.
"NOTTINGHAM, England, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A drug derived from a mushroom -- cordycepin -- may be used to treat some cancers, British researchers say.
Dr. Cornelia de Moor of The University of Nottingham in England and colleagues are investigating the drug originally extracted from a rare parasitic mushroom called cordyceps that grows on caterpillars.
The researchers say low-dose cordycepin seems to inhibit the uncontrolled growth and division of cells and at high doses it also inhibits growth by stopping cells from sticking together. Both of these effects, they say, probably have the same underlying mechanism -- interfering with the production of cell proteins.
Anticancer properties of Ganoderma lucidum methanol extracts in vitro and in vivo.
Harhaji Trajković LM, Mijatović SA, Maksimović-Ivanić DD, Stojanović ID, Momcilović MB, Tufegdzić SJ, Maksimović VM, Marjanović ZS, Stosić-Grujicić SD.
Nutr Cancer. 2009;61(5):696-707.
PMID: 19838944
DOI: 10.1080/01635580902898743
Anticancer activities of various extracts of the medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum, have been widely demonstrated and are mainly associated with the presence of different bioactive polysaccharides and triterpenoids. We have evaluated and compared in vitro and in vivo the antitumor effects of two preparations from Ganoderma lucidum: a methanol extract containing total terpenoids (GLme) and a purified methanol extract containing mainly acidic terpenoids (GLpme). Both extracts inhibited tumor growth of B16 mouse melanoma cells inoculated subcutaneously into syngeneic C57BL/6 mice and reduced viability of B16 cells in vitro, whereby GLme exhibited stronger effect. Furthermore, anticancer activity of GLme was demonstrated for the first time against two other rodent tumor cell lines, L929-mouse fibrosarcoma and C6-rat astrocytoma. The mechanism of antitumor activity of GLme comprised inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death mediated by upregulated p53 and inhibited Bcl-2 expression. Moreover, the antitumor effect of the GLme was associated with intensified production of reactive oxygen species, whereas their neutralization by the antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine, resulted in partial recovery of cell viability. Thus, our results suggest that GLme might be a good candidate for treatment of diverse forms of cancers.
"Língzhī (traditional Chinese: 靈芝; simplified Chinese: 灵芝; Japanese: reishi; Korean: yeongji, hangul: 영지) is the name for one form of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, and its close relative Ganoderma tsugae. Ganoderma lucidum enjoys special veneration in Asia, where it has been used as a medicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used in medicine.
Lingzhi may possess anti-tumor, immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic activities, supported by studies on polysaccharides, terpenes, and other bioactive compounds isolated from fruiting bodies and mycelia of this fungus (reviewed by R. R. Paterson[4] and Lindequist et al.[7]). It has also been found to inhibit platelet aggregation, and to lower blood pressure (via inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme[8]), cholesterol and blood sugar.[9]
Laboratory studies have shown anti-neoplastic effects of fungal extracts or isolated compounds against some types of cancer. In an animal model, Ganoderma has been reported to prevent cancer metastasis,[10] with potency comparable to Lentinan from Shiitake mushrooms.[11]
The mechanisms by which G. lucidum may affect cancer are unknown and they may target different stages of cancer development: inhibition of angiogenesis (formation of new, tumor-induced blood vessels, created to supply nutrients to the tumor) mediated by cytokines, cytoxicity, inhibiting migration of the cancer cells and metastasis, and inducing and enhancing apoptosis of tumor cells
Various selected vegetables, fruits, mushrooms and red wine residue inhibit bone resorption in rats.
Mühlbauer RC, Lozano A, Reinli A, Wetli H.
J Nutr. 2003 Nov;133(11):3592-7.
PMID: 14608079
Ergothioneine is a naturally-occurring amino acid and is a thiourea derivative of histidine, containing a sulfur atom in the imidazole ring. This compound is made in rather few organisms, notably Actinobacteria and filamentous fungi.[1] Ergothioneine was discovered in 1909 and named after the ergot fungus from which it was first purified, with its structure being determined later, in 1911.[2] This amino acid has antioxidant properties, but its chemistry differs from conventional sulfur-containing antioxidants such as glutathione or lipoic acid.
Although ergothioneine cannot be made in human cells, it is present in some tissues at high levels as it is absorbed from the diet.[3] In humans ergothioneine is taken up from the gut and concentrated in the tissues by a specific transporter called the novel organic cation transporter. However, even today, one hundred years after its discovery, precisely what ergothioneine does in the human body remains a mystery
Using a new, more sensitive-testing approach they developed for fungi, Penn State food scientists have found that mushrooms are a better natural source of the antioxidant ergothioneine than either of the two dietary sources previously believed to be best.
The researchers found that white button mushrooms, the most commonly consumed kind in the U.S., have about 12 times more of the antioxidant than wheat germ and 4 times more than chicken liver, the previous top-rated ergothioneine sources based on available data. Until the Penn State researchers developed their testing approach, known as an assay, there was no method employing the most sensitive modern instrumentation and analytical techniques to quantify the amount of ergothioneine in fungi. The researchers say that their assay can be used for other plants, too, not just mushrooms.
White button mushroom phytochemicals inhibit aromatase activity and breast cancer cell proliferation.
Grube BJ, Eng ET, Kao YC, Kwon A, Chen S.
J Nutr. 2001 Dec;131(12):3288-93.
PMID: 11739882
Anti-aromatase activity of phytochemicals in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus).
Chen S, Oh SR, Phung S, Hur G, Ye JJ, Kwok SL, Shrode GE, Belury M, Adams LS, Williams D.
Cancer Res. 2006 Dec 15;66(24):12026-34.
PMID: 17178902
doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-2206
White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) exhibits antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties and inhibits prostate tumor growth in athymic mice. Adams LS, Phung S, Wu X, Ki L, Chen S.
Nutr Cancer. 2008;60(6):744-56. n
PMID: 19005974
Coriolus versicolor is a mushroom of the Basidiomycetes class. It was used initially in Traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic, but recent studies suggest that it has immunostimulant and anti-tumor properties. Polysaccharide-K (PSK), a proprietary product derived from Coriolus, was developed for cancer treatment in Japan. When used as an adjuvant, PSK appears to improve survival rates in patients with gastric (1) (2) and colorectal (3) (4) (5) cancers. Other Coriolus extracts, such as polysaccharide-peptide (PSP) and VPS, are available as dietary supplements. When used in conjunction with chemotherapy, PSP may benefit patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (7). Other clinical studies using Coriolus extract alone or in combination with other botanicals also suggest positive immunomodulatory effects (8) (9). However, studies on breast cancer (10), hepatocellular carcinoma (11), and leukemia (12) produced mixed results. A hot water extract of Coriolus, VPS, was found to enhance development of large intestinal tumors in mice (21). Coriolus extracts are generally well tolerated but minor adverse effects have been reported.
Many over-the-counter Coriolus products are not standardized, making it difficult to compare potency between brands. It is also unclear if PSK, PSP and other Coriolus extracts have comparable effects.
Immunomax on vahva immunostimulantti.
Immunomax kapselit sisältävät biologisesti aktivoitua sienirihmastovalmistetta. Aktiiviset aineosat, erityisesti polysakkaridit ja glykoproteiinit, tehostavat elimistön puolustusjärjestelmää.
Tiedemiehet ovat jo pitkään tutkineet Kaukoidän sieniä löytääkseen niistä elimistön immuunijärjestelmää vahvistavia aineita. Tutkimuksissa shiitakesta eristetty ja biologisesti aktivoitu soluseinän komponentti on osoittautunut tehokkaaksi elimistön puolustusjärjestelmien vahvistajaksi.
AHCC
Active Hexose Correlated Compound
Dan Kenner
Kustantaja: Woodland Publishing
Ilmoitettu julkaisupäivä/vuosi: 30.09.2001
ISBN: 9781580543408
Hinta: 5,95
Saatavuus: Tilattavissa
Kieli: Englanti
Sivuja: 30
Kuuluu sarjaan: WOODLAND HEALTH SERIES
Tuotemuoto: Pehmeäkantinen, nidottu
Mitat (leveys x korkeus cm): 14 x 21
Paino: 50
Etsi tälle tuotteelle vaihtoehtoiset teokset (eri muoto, eri julkaisija...) muoto, eri julkaisija...)
What is AHCC?
The world’s most researched specialty immune supplement with over 80 supporting research studies.
Japan’s leading alternative cancer therapy used in hundreds of cancer clinics throughout Asia.
Highly effective immuno-modulator used in over 700 clinics as a standard preventative regiment for all incoming patient to reduce the risk of hospital infections.
The daily immune supplement of tens of thousands of healthy people in Japan and worldwide, seeking to help their bodies to fight the formation of abnormal cells, whose growth can lead to cancer, chronic disease and infections (such as the influenza / flu virus).
A recently completed study from researchers at Colorado State University supported by the Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has demonstrated that AHCC(R) (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) enhances host resistance by boosting protective immune responses specific to the West Nile Virus.
Since its discovery in the United States in 1999, infections caused by the West Nile Virus have become a major public health concern. West Nile Virus is caused by people being bitten by mosquitoes infected with the virus. According to the CDC, there have been 28,018 reported cases with 1,092 deaths since 1999. In 2003, the highest number of cases was reported at nearly 10,000. Currently there is no effective treatment for the disease.
A Phase I study of the safety of the nutritional supplement, active hexose correlated compound, AHCC, in healthy volunteers.
Spierings EL, Fujii H, Sun B, Walshe T.
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2007 Dec;53(6):536-9.
PMID: 18202543
doi:10.3177/jnsv.53.536
Supplementation with active hexose correlated compound increases survival following infectious challenge in mice.
Ritz BW.
Nutr Rev. 2008 Sep;66(9):526-31. Review.
PMID: 18752476
DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00085.x
A recently published study in Nutrition and Cancer (60(5), 643-651) by researchers at Kansai Medical University in Osaka, Japan has shown that AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) enhances immune function by increasing the number of dendritic cells (DCs).
DCs are a key part of the immune system responsible for presenting foreign substances to other immune system cells.
The study was conducted in a double-blind randomized fashion where twenty-one healthy subjects received a placebo or AHCC at 3.0 g/day for 4 weeks. Blood samples were obtained and measured at baseline and at 4 weeks. The number of circulating types of DCs was measured which included CD 11c+ DCs (myeloid DC population; DC1) and CD11c- DCs (lymphoid DC population; DC2). Other parameters measured included mixed-leukocyte reaction (MLR), natural killer (NK) cell activity, the proliferative response of T lymphocytes toward mitogen (phytohemagglutinin [PHA]) and cytokine production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, interferon gamma-gamma, and (alpha)-tumor necrosis factor.
Evaluation of active hexose correlated compound hepatic metabolism and potential for drug interactions with chemotherapy agents.
Mach CM, Fugii H, Wakame K, Smith J.
J Soc Integr Oncol. 2008 Summer;6(3):105-9.
PMID: 19087767
Low-dose supplementation with active hexose correlated compound improves the immune response to acute influenza infection in C57BL/6 mice.
Nogusa S, Gerbino J, Ritz BW.
Nutr Res. 2009 Feb;29(2):139-43.
PMID: 19285605
doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2009.01.005
54 items | 141 visits
Evidence based information about the health effects of edible mushrooms, especially of their effects on immune function and cancer risk.
Updated on Jan 29, 10
Created on Apr 12, 09
Category: Health & Wellness
URL: