Summary of Research on Agaricus blazei
Although originating in the wild from fields northwest of Sao Paolo, Brazil, the cultivation of Agaricus blazei as a medicinal mushroom was originated in 1993 by Japanese mycologists.
Research on Agaricus extract has largely focused on its anti-cancer properties. Results on uterocervical cancers appear promising. [25]
Agaricus extract contains more beta glucans than any other mushroom species investigated. In addition to the research on Agaricus blazei itself, it may be worthwhile to look into the abundant research that has been done on beta glucans. [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 2002, a Japanese study presented results indicating that Agaricus extract stimulates the immune system to perform a two-stage attack against cancer cells. In stage one, eight hours after administering Agaricus extract, the macrophages (white blood cells) excreted "alpha tumor necrosis factor," a well-known cancer killing compound. In stage two, which happened an additional four hours later, another compound was excreted by the same macrophages to finish off cancer cells weakened by the initial attack. [141]
Another specific cancer related effect of Agaricus extract is that it inhibits the enzyme aromatase, which is associated with the development of breast cancer. [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]
Some non-cancer related research has also been conducted on Agaricus extract. One study reported significant results against salmonella. [144]
Before ending this article, some words of caution: A test conducted in 2003 showed that Agaricus blazei from China had much higher concentrations of cadmium (a heavy metal) than U.S. cultivated Agaricus. [145]
It should also be pointed out that while research shows great promise for the use of Agaricus extract in the battle against cancer, ironically, Agaricus blazei mushrooms also contain cancer causing compounds known as agaritines. (Agaritines are also found in Button Mushrooms, Portobellos and Crimini Mushrooms.)
In 2003, Stijve et al. published a comparative study of agaritines between Agaricus blazei from different sources. The extract of Paul Stamets' Agaricus blazei grown in Washington State contained eighty-fold less of the carcinogenic agaritines than the samples from China, and twenty times less than samples from California. [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]
Additional therapeutic effects of Agaricus extract as listed by Paul Stamets in his book Mycelium Running may include: Blood sugar; viruses; cholesterol; sarcoma; colorectal cancer. [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. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor. - 17268
Research on Agaricus extract has largely focused on its anti-cancer properties. Results on uterocervical cancers appear promising. [25]
Agaricus extract contains more beta glucans than any other mushroom species investigated. In addition to the research on Agaricus blazei itself, it may be worthwhile to look into the abundant research that has been done on beta glucans. [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 2002, a Japanese study presented results indicating that Agaricus extract stimulates the immune system to perform a two-stage attack against cancer cells. In stage one, eight hours after administering Agaricus extract, the macrophages (white blood cells) excreted "alpha tumor necrosis factor," a well-known cancer killing compound. In stage two, which happened an additional four hours later, another compound was excreted by the same macrophages to finish off cancer cells weakened by the initial attack. [141]
Another specific cancer related effect of Agaricus extract is that it inhibits the enzyme aromatase, which is associated with the development of breast cancer. [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]
Some non-cancer related research has also been conducted on Agaricus extract. One study reported significant results against salmonella. [144]
Before ending this article, some words of caution: A test conducted in 2003 showed that Agaricus blazei from China had much higher concentrations of cadmium (a heavy metal) than U.S. cultivated Agaricus. [145]
It should also be pointed out that while research shows great promise for the use of Agaricus extract in the battle against cancer, ironically, Agaricus blazei mushrooms also contain cancer causing compounds known as agaritines. (Agaritines are also found in Button Mushrooms, Portobellos and Crimini Mushrooms.)
In 2003, Stijve et al. published a comparative study of agaritines between Agaricus blazei from different sources. The extract of Paul Stamets' Agaricus blazei grown in Washington State contained eighty-fold less of the carcinogenic agaritines than the samples from China, and twenty times less than samples from California. [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]
Additional therapeutic effects of Agaricus extract as listed by Paul Stamets in his book Mycelium Running may include: Blood sugar; viruses; cholesterol; sarcoma; colorectal cancer. [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. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor. - 17268
About the Author:
Dr. Markho Rafael has worked in the natural health field since finishing Chiropractic College in 1996. He now specializes in medicinal mushrooms, 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. Click on a reference number to find the reference.
posted by X - Men at
8:34 AM
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