Coriolus versicolor: A Medicinal Mushroom with Promising Immunotherapeutic Values

Abstract

Coriolus versicolor (CV) is a medicinal mushroom widely prescribed for the prophylaxis and treatment of cancer and infection in China. In recent years, it has been extensively demonstrated both preclinically and clinically that aqueous extracts obtained from CV display a wide array of biological activities, including stimulatory effects on different immune cells and inhibition of cancer growth. The growing popularity of aqueous CV extracts as an adjunct medical modality to conventional cancer therapies has generated substantial commercial interest in developing these extracts into consistent and efficacious oral proprietary products. While very limited information is available on the physical, chemical, and pharmacodynamic properties of the active principles present in these extracts, there has been sufficient scientific evidence to support the feasibility of developing at least some of these constituents into an evidence-based immunodulatory agent. In this article, the background, traditional usage, pharmacological activities, clinical effects, adverse reactions, active constituents, and regulatory aspects of CV are reviewed. Presented also in this review are the current uses and administration, potential drug interactions, and contraindication of aqueous extracts prepared from CV.

Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Modulates Chemically Induced Mutagenesis by Enhancing Pitting

“…In fact, although we do not know the chemical composition of L. edodes aqueous extract, it had been demonstrated that aqueous extracts of several mushrooms contain a high concentration of polysaccharides, which could be responsible for the bioactive effects. [17][18][19] Monocytes have an intravascular life span of 1-3 days, leaving the blood stream at random and transforming into macrophages. Macrophages are phagocytes and function to remove foreign bodies, parasites, and bacteria.…”

Suppression of proliferation and oxidative stress by extracts of Ganoderma lucidum in the ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR-3

“…Genetics are considered to play a relatively minor role, while environment and lifestyle factors contribute to a greater extent to ovarian carcinogenesis suggesting that a window of opportunity exists for chemoprevention of OvCa. Among approaches for chemoprevention, the use of herbal products has gained popularity, particularly those prepared from medicinal mushrooms in light of the traditional high esteem they have held in Asian cultures (4)(5)(6)(7)(8) for promoting and maintaining overall health and wellness, notably through potentiation of immune functions and regulation of biological responses (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Data have also shown that chemoprevention activities of medicinal mushroom extracts extend beyond the immune system; for instance, evidence abounds that they suppress tumorigenesis further supporting their diverse effects in treating diseases in humans (10,(12)(13)(14).…”

Neuroinflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer?s Disease: Modulation by Coriolus Versicolor (Yun-Zhi) Nutritional Mushroom

“…The best known commercial polysaccharopeptide preparations of Coriolus versicolor are Polysaccharide K or Krestin (PSK) and polysaccharopeptide (PSP). Both products are obtained from the extraction of Coriolus versicolor mycelia, PSK is obtained from the extraction of Coriolus versicolor (CM-101) strains, while PSP obtained from the extraction of Coriolus versicolor (Cov-1) strains 88,89 ; PSP and PSK are chemically similar: (1,3) β-glucan branched at 4' and 6' positions and they differ mainly in the presence of fucose in PSK and rhamnose and arabinose in PSP (Figure 3). PSP and PSK are powders that are soluble and stable in hot water.…”