| Summary of Research on Agaricus blazei |
| Written by Dr. Markho Rafael | |
| Monday, 17 August 2009 | |
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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.
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] A Japanese study from 2002 reported that Agaricus extract appeared to stimulate macrophages (white blood cells) to perform a two-phased assault on cancer cells. The first phase began eight hours after the intake of Agaricus extract, when the patient's macrophages began excreting a cancer killing agent known as "alpha tumor necrosis factor." The second phase started another four hours later, when the same macrophages began excreting a different agent designed to finish off the cancer cells weakened by the first assault. [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] 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 2003 study by Stijve et al. found that the Agaricus blazei extract produced in the U.S. by medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets contained significantly less agaritines compared with Agaricus blazei from California or China by a factor of 2000% and 8000% 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] A few additional areas of promising research on Agaricus extract are listed by Paul Stamets in his book Mycelium Running: Colorectal cancer; sarcoma; viruses; blood sugar; cholesterol. [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. The Article Author: Dr. Markho Rafael has worked in the natural health field since finishing Chiropractic College in the mid-90's. He now specializes in medicinal fungi, including Agaricus Extract, in cooperation with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For the scientific references to this article, go to the Agaricus blazei Extract page and click on any number indicating a reference. |
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