Natural killer cell activity and quality of life were improved by consumption of a mushroom extract,Agaricus blazei MurillKyowa, in gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

A mushroom extract, Agaricus blazei Murill Kyowa (ABMK), has been reported to possess antimutagenic and antitumor effects. Here, we investigate the beneficial effects of ABMK consumption on immunological status and qualities of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. One hundred cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer patients were treated either with carboplatin (300 mg/m2) plus VP16 (etoposide, 100 mg/m2) or with carboplatin (300 mg/m2) plus taxol (175 mg/m2) every 3 weeks for at least three cycles with or without oral consumption of ABMK. We observed that natural killer cell activity was significantly higher in ABMK-treated group (ANOVA, n = 39, P < 0.002) as compared with nontreated placebo group (n = 61). However, no significant difference in lymphokine-activated killer and monocyte activities was observed in a manner similar to the count of specific immune cell populations between ABMK-treated and nontreated groups. However, chemotherapy-associated side effects such as appetite, alopecia, emotional stability, and general weakness were all improved by ABMK treatment. Taken together, this suggests that ABMK treatment might be beneficial for gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Effects on gene expression and viral load of a medicinal extract from Agaricus blazei in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection

“…In recent years, considerable research has been carried out to investigate the putative effects. Several reports indicate positive results in the treatment of cancer [1][2][3][4], and the immunomodulating potential of extracts seems to be well documented from in vitro studies, as well as experiments with mice [5][6][7][8][9][10]. One report found an inhibition of equine encephalitis virus in cell culture [11].…”

Inhibition of melanogenesis by the extract from Agaricus blazei without affecting iNOS gene expression

“…It could be possible that GHDB or some derivative after extract boiling could affect the tyrosinase assay and the formation of dopa-melanin polymers. A. blazei has wide range of biological activities, as contains multiple pharmacologically active compounds, because its extracts induce a wide range of actions in vivo and in vitro (Menoli et al 2001;Ahn et al 2004;Kimura et al 2004). These data suggests actions for both water soluble (Ito et al 1997) and water insoluble extracts (Kawagishi et al 1989).…”

The role of edible mushrooms in health: Evaluation of the evidence

“…appetite, alopecia, emotional stability & general weakness) (in vivo undergoing chemotherapy) Ahn et al (2004) Lingzi Lentinan Clitocinet…”