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]
Testing on cancer cells in laboratories (in vitro) have yielded mostly negative results, while testing on live subjects (in vivo) has been very positive. This indicates that the medicinal compounds in Agaricus extract work by stimulating the immune system of the patient rather than directly attacking mutated cancer cells. [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]
Alcohol and water extracts of Agaricus blazei mycelium ("roots") are both rich in potential medicinal compounds. [143, 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.)
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]
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. - 17274
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]
Testing on cancer cells in laboratories (in vitro) have yielded mostly negative results, while testing on live subjects (in vivo) has been very positive. This indicates that the medicinal compounds in Agaricus extract work by stimulating the immune system of the patient rather than directly attacking mutated cancer cells. [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]
Alcohol and water extracts of Agaricus blazei mycelium ("roots") are both rich in potential medicinal compounds. [143, 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.)
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]
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. - 17274
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 partnership with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For article references, go to the Agaricus blazei Extract page. Click on a reference number to find the reference.
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3:47 AM
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