Summary of Research on Agaricus blazei
Cultivation of the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei began in Japan in 1993, even though the strains used were collected from fields northwest of Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Research on Agaricus extract has largely focused on its anti-cancer properties. Results on uterocervical cancers appear promising. [25]
One study reported that Agaricus extract contained a higher level of beta glucans than any other medicinal mushroom. So while not included in this article, it may be worthwhile to also look into beta glucan related research. [25]
Research on Agaricus extract against cancer cell cultures (in vitro) have yielded primarily negative results, but testing on live individuals (in vivo) have shown some positive results. What this tells us is that Agaricus blazei's effect on cancer is by stimulating the immune system rather than killing off cancer cells directly. [135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140]
In fact, one Japanese study from 2002 showed that when stimulated by Agaricus extract, macrophages would deliver a two punch knockout to cancer cells. (Macrophages are a type of white blood cells.) Eight hours after taking Agaricus extract, the patient's macrophages excreted a cancer killing compound known as alpha tumor necrosis factor. Then four hours after that, the same macrophages excreted another compound specifically targeted to finish off the now weakened cancer cells. [141]
An additional cancer protective property of Agaricus extract is that it helps inhibit the production of aromatase, a human enzyme associated with breast cancer development. [142]
Both alcohol and water extracts of Agaricus blazei have been shown to contain important medicinal compounds, [143] particularly extracts of the mycelium ("roots"). [25]
The immune enhancing properties of Agaricus extract may also make it useful against other diseases. E.g. a study on Agaricus blazei against salmonella reported positive results. [144]
Some words of caution: A 2003 comparison between different sources of Agaricus blazei reported that samples from China contained significantly higher levels of the heavy metal cadmium than samples from the U.S. [145]
Secondly, although Agaricus extract has demonstrated some powerful anti-cancer properties, it also contains a family of cancer-inducing compounds known as agaritines. (These are also found in button mushrooms, crimini mushrooms and portobellos.)
A paper by Stijve et al. published in 2003 reported that Paul Stamets' Agaricus blazei extract, produced in Washington state, contained drastically less of the carcinogenic agaritines compared with samples from China or California by a factor of 8000% and 2000% respectively. [145]
"Years ago, Paul Stamets ... developed methods that precluded agaritines, and Stijve et al. (2003) published a comparison of commercial products from the US, China, and Japan. All but [Paul Stamets] products contained significant amounts of agaritine." [145]
In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown Agaricus extract to have a beneficial effect: Viruses; Blood Sugar; Cholesterol; Colorectal Cancer; Sarcoma. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes. - 17268
Research on Agaricus extract has largely focused on its anti-cancer properties. Results on uterocervical cancers appear promising. [25]
One study reported that Agaricus extract contained a higher level of beta glucans than any other medicinal mushroom. So while not included in this article, it may be worthwhile to also look into beta glucan related research. [25]
Research on Agaricus extract against cancer cell cultures (in vitro) have yielded primarily negative results, but testing on live individuals (in vivo) have shown some positive results. What this tells us is that Agaricus blazei's effect on cancer is by stimulating the immune system rather than killing off cancer cells directly. [135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140]
In fact, one Japanese study from 2002 showed that when stimulated by Agaricus extract, macrophages would deliver a two punch knockout to cancer cells. (Macrophages are a type of white blood cells.) Eight hours after taking Agaricus extract, the patient's macrophages excreted a cancer killing compound known as alpha tumor necrosis factor. Then four hours after that, the same macrophages excreted another compound specifically targeted to finish off the now weakened cancer cells. [141]
An additional cancer protective property of Agaricus extract is that it helps inhibit the production of aromatase, a human enzyme associated with breast cancer development. [142]
Both alcohol and water extracts of Agaricus blazei have been shown to contain important medicinal compounds, [143] particularly extracts of the mycelium ("roots"). [25]
The immune enhancing properties of Agaricus extract may also make it useful against other diseases. E.g. a study on Agaricus blazei against salmonella reported positive results. [144]
Some words of caution: A 2003 comparison between different sources of Agaricus blazei reported that samples from China contained significantly higher levels of the heavy metal cadmium than samples from the U.S. [145]
Secondly, although Agaricus extract has demonstrated some powerful anti-cancer properties, it also contains a family of cancer-inducing compounds known as agaritines. (These are also found in button mushrooms, crimini mushrooms and portobellos.)
A paper by Stijve et al. published in 2003 reported that Paul Stamets' Agaricus blazei extract, produced in Washington state, contained drastically less of the carcinogenic agaritines compared with samples from China or California by a factor of 8000% and 2000% respectively. [145]
"Years ago, Paul Stamets ... developed methods that precluded agaritines, and Stijve et al. (2003) published a comparison of commercial products from the US, China, and Japan. All but [Paul Stamets] products contained significant amounts of agaritine." [145]
In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown Agaricus extract to have a beneficial effect: Viruses; Blood Sugar; Cholesterol; Colorectal Cancer; Sarcoma. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes. - 17268
About the Author:
Dr. Markho Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in the mid-90's. He now focuses on medicinal fungi, including Agaricus Extract, in cooperation with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For the scientific references to this article, go to the Extract of Agaricus blazei page and click on any number indicating a reference.
posted by X - Men at
6:09 AM
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