Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Effects on Immune Function Mushrooms have been valued for their nutritional and medicinal properties for over five millennia. The ability of mushrooms to modulate immune function has been scientifically studied for about 50 years and numerous studies have subsequently shown that mushrooms possess potent immunomodulating (activation, modulation, balancing) properties. Anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-tumorial activities of many medicinal mushroom species have also been reported in many peer-reviewed scientific journals. Beta glucans and proteoglycans are considered to be the primary biologically active compounds in mushroom fruit bodies and mycelia that impact the immune systems of mammals. Mushroom-derived beta glucans are recognized as being potent immunological activators and modulators. In contrast to some pharmaceutical drugs that may over-stimulate or even shut-down the immune system, mushroom-derived beta glucans make the immune system work better without becoming overactive and thus are not contraindicated in individuals with autoimmune diseases and allergies. The most active forms of beta glucans are those comprised of D-glucose units linked to one another at the (1,3) position with side chains of D-glucose units attached at the (1,6) position. Mushrooms are rich sources of these beta-1,3/1,6 glucans. Mushroom proteoglycans (also called polysaccharide peptides), consisting of a central, linear core of proteins (polypeptides) to which are attached multiple, branched chains of beta glucans, are thought to have greater immunostimulating activity than the corresponding free glucans. Mushroom beta glucan polysaccharides tend to be very high-molecular-weight compounds. Several studies have suggested that these large, very complex polysaccharide chains have a greater immunological benefit than the isolated, derivative polysaccharides of lower molecular weight. It has been theorized that the human immune system is stimulated by the sequential decomposition of these high-molecular-weight polysaccharides into synergistic subcomponents. The mechanism of action of beta glucans is to actually bind to receptor sites on the cell surfaces of specific cells in our immune system including macrophages and NK cells. The beta glucans are recognized by our immune system as “non-self” molecules, thus stimulating and activating the immune system by their presence. Structurally different beta glucans have different affinities to different receptor sites and thus generate markedly different results. The complexity of beta glucan structures in higher fungi result in a broad-based immune response. While beta glucan polysaccharides are the most well-known and researched immunomodulatory compounds found in mushrooms, they are by no means the only class of compounds that have been found to have profound and beneficial effects on the immune systems of mammals. Alpha glucans and many types of immunomodulating fungal proteins such as lectins, ribosome inactivating proteins, antifungal proteins, ribonucleases, ubiquitin-like proteins and peptides, lectins, laccases, and trehalose phosphorylases have also been found to have profound effects on our immune system. The complex nutritional matrix of nutrients, dietary fiber and fungal enzymes in medicinal mushroom mycelial biomass also has been shown to have a beneficial effect on digestion and the functioning of our gastro-intestinal tract. Science has recognized that 80 to 90% of all human diseases originate in our digestive tract. A healthy digestive system can more completely digest food molecules that can contribute to a reduction of immune “triggers” ( that can result in chronic inflammation and/or allergic reactions) and toxic loads. Mushroom mycelial biomass products which include the extra-cellular enzymes produced by the mycelium, are a rich source of a variety of enzymes that can supplement our digestive systems. In general, enzymes derived from fungi are superior to animal-derived enzymes for dietary supplementation because they are effective over a wider range of pH conditions. Beyond their beneficial effects on digestive processes, protease enzyme complexes have been shown in invitro studies to activate monocytes and macrophages—two early response immune cells—as well as interferon (“interferes" with pathogens) and TNF-alpha (destroys cells).
Scientists continue to discover “new” biologically active compounds in mushrooms on a regular basis. While extracted medicinal mushroom products may contain high concentrations of certain active ingredients present in mushrooms, many other biologically active compounds are either discarded or destroyed in the extraction process. Additionally, more is not always better in healing modalities. “Full spectrum”, non-extracted mushroom products contain a complex nutritional matrix of biologically active compounds that elicit broadbased immune responses. - SF References: Borchers, A. et al. 2008. “The Immunobiology of Mushrooms”. Experimental Biology Medicine. Mar; 233(3):259-276. Borchers, A. et al. 2004. “Mushrooms, Tumors, and Immunity: An Update”. Experimental Biology and Medicine 229:393-406. Breene, W. 1990. “Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Medicinal Mushrooms” Journal of Food Protection 53(10): 883-894. Chen YC, et al. 2008 “Polysaccharides from Antrodia camphorata mycelia extracts possess immunomodulatory activity and inhibits infection of Shistosoma mansoni” International Immunopharmacology March 2008, 8(3):458-467. Chen, J. & R. Sevoiur. 2007. “Medicinal importance of fungal beta (1→3), (1→6) glucans. Mycological Research. June, 111(6):635-652. Hetland, G. et al. 2008. “Effects of the Medicinal Mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill on Immunity, Infection and Cancer” Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. 68:363-370. Hobbs, C. 2004 “Medicinal Value of Turkey Tail Fungus Trametesv versicolor (L.:Fr.) Pilat (Aphyllophromycetidae). A Literature Review” International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 6:195-218. Kidd, P. 2000. “The Use of Mushroom Glucans and Proteo Glucans in Cancer Treatment”. Alternative Medicine Review. 5(1):4-24. Lin, ZB et al. 2004: “Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and it possible mechanisms” Acta Phamacology Sin Nov;25(11):1387-1395 Lindequist, U. et. al. 2005. “The Pharmacological Potential of Mushrooms” Evidence-Based Complementary and and Alternative Medicine 2(3):285-299. Lull, C. 2005. “Antiinflammatory and Immunomodulating Properties of Fungal Metabolites” Mediators of Inflammation. 2005:63-80. Melitis, C. & Barker, J. 2005 “Medicinal Mushrooms: A Selective Overview” Alternative & Complementary Therapies. June 2005:141-145. Ng TZ 2005. “Mushroom Proteins Related to Host Defense” Int Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 7:221-236. Ooi V., and Liu, F. 2000. Immunomodulation and anti-cancer activity of polysaccharide-protein complexes. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 7, 715-729. Ramberg JE et al. 2010. “Immunomodulatory dietary polysaccharides: a systematic review of the literature.”Nutr J. Nov18;9:54.
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