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24
CHAPTER 3 MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT MUSHROOMS
Synopsis
Many edible and non-edible mushrooms have long been used
worldwide, especially in the Orient, for medicinal purposes.
This Chapter gives a brief summary of the most important and
widely used species. In each case their historical and current
traditional use is considered together, where appropriate, with
their commercial and modern medical applications. Important
pharmaceutical products with proven medical applications have
been derived from Ganoderma spp., Lentinus edodes,
Schizophyllum commune, Tremella fusiformis, Trametes
versicolor, and Grifola frondosa, and more recently Phellinus
and Hericium erinaceus.
In addition to their nutritional value, many edible large mushrooms have long
been used in the Orient for medicinal purposes. Many non-edible species have also
gained important medicinal usage. An old Chinese proverb states that “medicine
and food have a common origin”. At present there are at least 270 species of
mushroom that are known to have various therapeutic properties (Ying et al., 1987).
The practice of using fungi, especially mushrooms, in Chinese herbal medicines has
been recorded in early records of the “Materia Medica”. The earliest book on
medicinal materials in China, the “Shen Noug’s Herbel” (Shen Noug Pen Ts’ao Jing)
(100-200AD), recorded the medicinal effects of several mushrooms including
Ganoderma lucidum, Poria cocos, Tremella fuciformis and others. The most
outstanding work on traditional Chinese medicines “Pen Ts’ao Kang Mu”
(Compendium of Materia Medica) compiled by Li Shi-Zhen of the Ming Dynasty and
published in 1575 documented more than 20 mushroom species, together with a
non-mushroom insect-infesting fungus Cordyceps senensis which continues to be a
major Chinese medicinal fungus (Bensky and Gamble, 1993).
25
Medicinal mushrooms have become even more widely used as traditional
medicinal ingredients for the treatment of various diseases and related health
problems largely due to the increased ability to produce the mushrooms by artificial
methods. As a result of large numbers of scientific studies on medicinal mushrooms
especially in Japan, China and Korea, over the past three decades, many of the
traditional uses have been confirmed and new applications developed (Table 1,
Wasser and Weis, 1999a). While much attention has been drawn to various
immunological and anti-cancer properties of these mushrooms they also offer other
potentially important therapeutic properties including antioxidants, anti-hypertensive,
cholesterol-lowering, liver protection, anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic,
anti-viral and anti-microbial. These properties will be examined in a later chapter.
Clearly, many pharmaceutical companies in the Far East are viewing the medicinal
mushrooms as a rich source of innovative biomedical molecules. Many
polysaccharide-bound proteins produced by Basidiomycete fungi have been
classified as anti-tumour chemicals by the US National Cancer Institute (Jong and
Donovick, 1989). Some of the more important and leading medicinal fungi used in
the Far East will be briefly summarised. For fuller details of each medicinal
mushroom reference should be made to Hobbs (1995), Stamets (1993, 2001) and
Mizuno (1995). A recent general paper by Wasser and Weis (1999b) gives detailed
general mycological information on several of the most important medicinally
valuable Basidiomycetes mushrooms, including biological and ethnomycological
properties, taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, description, cultural characteristics, and
distributions.
26
TABLE 1 Cross index of medically active higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms
and their medicinal properties (Wasser and Weis, 1999a)
Antifungal
Antiinflammatory
Antitumour
Antiviral (e.g. anti-HIV)
Antibacterial & Antiparasitic
Blood pressure regulation
Cardiovascular disorders
Hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia
Antidiabetic
Immunomodulating
Kidney tonic
Hepatoprotective
Nerve tonic
Sexual potentiator
Chronic bronchitis
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Auriculariales
Auricularia auricula-judas (Bull.) Wettst.
+ + X X X
Tremellales
Tremella fuciformis Berk.
Tremella mesenterica Rits.:Fr.
+ +
+
+ + + + X
+
Polyporales
Schizophyllum commune Fr.:Fr.
Dendropolyporus umbellatus (Pers.:Fr.)
Jül.
Grifola frondosa (Dicks.:Fr.) S.F. Gray
+
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
+
X
+
Fomes formentarius (L.:Fr.) Fr. + +
Fomitopsis pimicola (Schw.:Fr.) P. Karst. + + + +
Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Lloyd X X X X X
Piptoporus betulinus (bull.:Fr.) P. Karst. + + +
Hericium erinaceus (bull.:Fr.) Pers. + X X X
Inonotus obliquus (Pers.:Fr.) Bond.et
Sing.
X X X X
Lenzites betulina (L.:Fr.) Fr. + +
Laetiporus sulphurous (Bull.:Fr.) Murr. + +
Ganodermatales
Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.:Fr.) P.Karst X X X X X X X X X X X X
Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. + + + +
Agaricomycetideae
Agaricales s.I.
Pleurotaceae
Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing. X X X X X X X X X X X
Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.:Fr.) Kumm. + + + + +
Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.:Fr.) Quél + + +
Tricholomataceae
Flammulina velutipes (Curt.:Fr.) P.Karst. + X X + X
Oudemansiella mucida (Schrad.:Fr.) v.
Höhn.
X
Armillariella mellea (Vahl.:Fr.) P.Karst. + X X X
Hypsizygus marmoreus (Peck) Bigel. X
Marasmius androsaceus (L.:Fr.) Fr. X X
Agaricaceae
Agaricus bla\ei Murr. X
Agaricus bisporus (J.Lge) Imbach + X X
Pluteaceae
Volvariella volvacea (Bull.:Fr.) Sing. + + + +
Bolbitiaceae
Agrocybe aegerita (Brit.) Sing. + + + +
X = commercially developed mushroom product (drug or dietary supplement)
+ = non commercially developed mushroom product.
27
Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae:
G. lucidum and related species have the longest historical usage for medicinal
purposes, dating back at least four millennia (Zhao and Zeuny, 1994). In Japan it is
called Reishi or Mannetake (10,000 year mushroom) and in China and Korea it is
variously called Ling Chu, Ling Chih and Ling Zhi (Mushroom of Immortality). It is
the mushroom most depicted in ancient Japanese, Korean and Chinese Art and has
been extensively depicted in Chinese royal tapestries. Reishi is also widely used in
the Orient as a talisman to protect a person or home against evil. The fungus grows
in many parts of the world and in Japan is to be found mainly on old plum trees.
Originally, rare and expensive it can now be artificially cultivated, which makes it
more accessible and affordable.
The mushroom and mycelium contain steroids, lactones, alkaloids,
polyssacharides and triterpenes. Pharmacologically, a number of the water-soluble
polysaccharides have demonstrated antitumour and immunostimulating activities. At
least 100 different alcohol-soluble triterpenes have been identified including highly
oxidised lanostane-type triterpenoids such as ganoderic, ganoderenic, lucidenic, and
ganolucidic acids. These triterpenoids have been shown to possess adaptogenic
and antihypertensive as well as anti-allergic properties.
28
Fig. 1a Ganoderma lucidum growing naturally on tree stump
Fig. 1b Reishi motif on pavilion door in the Forbidden City, Beijing (Willard
1990)
29
Fig. 1c Contemporary Chinese painting depicting the Phoenix bird
holding a Reishi mushroom: both Ancient Chinese symbols of
longevity (Willard, 1990)
30
Fig 1d G. tsugae, antler form growing on sterilised sawdust media (Willard,
1990)
Fig. 1e G. lucidum growing on sterilised sawdust media (Willard, 1990)
31
This mushroom possesses many different medicinal properties dependent on
the stage and environment of its growth (Jong and Birmingham, 1992, Liu, 1999).
Traditionally, it has been widely used in the treatment of hepatopathy, chronic
hepatitis, nephritis, hypertension, arthritis, neurastheine, insomnia, bronchitis,
asthma and gastric ulcers. Scientific studies have confirmed that substances
extracted from the mushroom can reduce blood pressure, blood cholesterol and
blood sugar levels as well as inhibit platelet aggregations (Table 2). Reishi extracts
have been highly effective in alleviating altitude sickness and also in treating
myotonia dystrophica. Several major biochemicals such as polysaccharides,
proteins and triterpenoids with potent immuno-modulating action have been isolated
from Ganoderma spp. The major immuno-modulating effects of these active
substances include mitogenicity and activation of immune effector cells such as T
cells, macrophages and natural killer cells resulting in the production of cytokines,
including interleukins, tumour necrosis factor-α and interferons. The therapeutic
action of G. lucidum as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent has been
associated with its immuno-modulating properties (Wang et al., 1977). While the
extensive range of traditional medical treatments with this mushroom have not yet
been fully substantiated by modern scientific standards they are being extensively
scrutinised in the Far East and the USA (Chang, 1995, 1999, Chen and Miles, 1996).
In view of its bitter taste and indigestible structure (often similar to varnished wood in
appearance) this is not an edible mushroom but, in hot water extracted form, it is
available worldwide in tablet and liquid products (Stamets, 1999).
32
Table 2 Pharmacological effects of whole Reishi extracts in vivo and in vitro
(for references see Hobbs, 1995)
• Analgesic
• Anti-allergic activity
• Bronchitis-preventative effect, inducing regeneration of bronchial epithelium
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial, against Staphylococci, Streptococci, and Bacillus pneumoniae
(perhaps due to increased immune system activity)
• Antioxidant, by eliminating hydroxyl free radicals
• Antitumor activity
• Antiviral effect, by inducing interferon production
• Lowers blood pressure
• Enhances bone marrow nucleated cell proliferation
• Cardiotonic action, lowering serum cholesterol levels with no effect on
triglycerides, enhancing myocardial metabolism of hypoxic animals, and
improving coronary artery hemodynamics
• Central depressant and peripheral anticholinergic actions on the autonomic
nervous sytem reduce the effects of caffeine and relax muscles
• Enhanced natural killer cell (NK) activity in vitro in mice
• Expectorant and antitussive properties demonstrated in mice studies
• General immunopotentiation
• Anti-HIV activity in vitro and in vivo
• Improved adrenocortical function
• Increased production of Interleukin-1 by murine peritoneal macrophages in
vitro
• Increased production of Interleukin-2 by murine splenocytes in vitro
Key active constituents:
Beta and hetero-Beta-glucans (antitumour, immunostimulating )
Ling Zhi-8 protein (anti-allergenic, immuno-modulating)
Ganodermic acids – triterpenes (anti-allergenic agents, cholesterol and blood
pressure reducing)
Estimates place the annual value of G. lucidum products worldwide at more
than US $ 1.6 billion (Chang and Buswell, 1999).
Lentinus edodes
This fungus is indigenous to Japan, China and other Asian countries with
temperate climates. It is to be found in the wild on fallen deciduous trees especially
33
Fig. 2a Lentinus edodes growing naturally on fallen timber
Fig. 2b L. edodes fruiting on an oak log (Stametes 1993)
34
Fig. 2c L. edodes growing on sawdust logs
chestnut, beech, oak, shia, alder etc. However, it has been grown artificially for
centuries on cut logs which can support seasonal fruiting. In more recent times,
mass cultivation has predominantly been achieved by the sawdust culture
technology. In China it is known as Xiang gu (fragrant mushroom) and as Shiitake in
Japan because of its historical association with the shia tree. This mushroom has
been renowned in Japan and China for thousands of years both as a food and as a
medicine. It has a most exotic and delicious taste and is a central part of many
Oriental dishes and is increasingly being adopted in the West. There is little
difference in flavour or mouth feel between mushrooms cultured on logs and those
found in the wild on tree stumps or dead trees. However, sawdust cultured
mushrooms now being marketed worldwide are considered to be soft in texture and
35
less flavoursome. It is undoubtedly the leading mushroom worldwide that can be
used both as a nutritious and tasty food and a highly effective medicine.
In Oriental medicine it has been used for a wide range of health problems and
its curative properties are well attested to in folk medicine (Hobbs, 1995). It has
been particularly valuable in treating high blood pressure and lowering blood
cholesterol. The fungus is the source of two well-studied polysaccharide
preparations, viz. Lentinan – a cell wall polysaccharide extractable from both the
fruit-body and mycelium, and LEM – a protein-bound polysaccharide derived only
from the mycelium (Chihara, 1992). Both compounds have demonstrated anticancer
activity. It is believed that such compounds function by enhancing the
immune system rather than attacking the cancer cells directly. Such compounds are
increasingly used in Japan as adjuvants to help support immune function in cancer
patients during radio- and chemotherapy and can prolong survival times in some
types of cancer (Mizuno, 1995).
An immense literature has been, and continues to be, accumulated on these
compounds mostly in the Orient but increasingly so in Western scientific and medical
journals. Areas of study that will be expanded on in later Chapters will include anticancer
effects, immune regulatory effects, antiviral effects, bacterial and parasitic
infections, hepatoprotective and cardiovascular effects.
Commercial preparations are available as tablets, capsules, or elixirs, and are
extensively on sale in most Oriental countries, and increasingly in the USA and
Europe, in natural food/medicine markets. Shiitake extracts more often appear in
mixtures blended with Reishi, Maitake and others.
Key active constituents
Beta-D-glucan (Lentinan) and heteroglucan-protein (LEM) (anti-tumour,
immunostimulating)
36
Eritadenine (cholesterol-reducing)
Ergosterol (provitamin D-2)
RNA fractions (antiviral nucleic acids)
Phellinus linteus
Fig. 3 Phellinus sp. growing naturally on deciduous tree
The fruiting-bodies of this fungus are called ‘song gen’ in Chinese medicine
and ‘meshimakobu’ in Japanese. The fungus grows as a parasite mostly on living
deciduous trees (but occasionally on Pinus spp.) in Japan and Korea but also in
37
other parts of the world (Teng, 1996). The fungus can now be cultured by log and
sawdust technology. However, extensive studies are underway for mycelium culture
in fermentors.
In traditional Chinese medicine hot water extracts of the inedible fruit-bodies
have been used for an extensive range of ailments and it is believed to work as a
‘miracle medicine’ refreshing the human body and prolonging longevity (Ying et al.,
1987). Recent studies have compared hot water extracts of Phellinus with the other
main anticancer medicinal mushrooms when tested against xenographs. The
Phellinus extract showed the strongest evidence of tumour proliferation suppression
(Mizuno, 2000). It has been extensively studied for effects on digestive system
cancers, e.g. gastric, duodenal, colon and rectal and also liver cancer. Special
attention has been given to the beneficial effects of such extracts before and after
cancer operations or in the adjuvant setting (Aziawa, 1998; Mizuno, 2000).
In recent years, using cultured mycelium of selected strains of Phellinus,
compounds have been extracted and used in Korea as medicinals – especially for
cancer treatment. This resulted from a national project between laboratories in the
National Universities and several Pharmaceutical Companies, and the medicinal
products now being manufactured by Korean New Pharmaceutical Co. There are a
large number of Korean patents on the manufacture of such medicinal products (see
Mizuno, 2000). Products as dietary supplements are expected shortly to enter the
Japanese health food market.
The medicinal attributes of this fungus will merit close attention in the future
(Mizuno, 2000).
Key active constituents
Beta-glucans (anti-tumour and immunostimulating)
Marketed as Meshima capsules
38
Poria cocos
Fig. 4 Poria cocos sclerotium at base of tree
This fungus, sometimes referred to as Wolfiporia cocos, is the most
commonly used of all Chinese medicinal fungi. It is called Hoeleu or Fu Ling in
Chinese which refers to the hard sclerotium of the fungus. This is a mycorrhizal
fungus growing in association with the roots of various conifers, especially Chinese
red pine. Large tuberculiform structures – the sclerotia – are formed underground
and can be collected all year round but especially early autumn (Liu and Bau, 1980).
Apart from the medicinal uses, the large sclerotial structures have been used as food
in Nigeria and in parts of Eastern and Southern US – “Indian bread”.
Pharmacologically, the polysaccharides – spachyman and pachymaran
exhibit strong anti-cancer and immunomodulatory activities. Low-molecular weight
tetracyclic triterpenes have considerable immunostimulating and antiviral activities
(Hobbs, 1995). The extensive range of traditional medicinal uses are documented in
39
Hobbs (1995) and Ying et al. (1987). The main clinical trials have been concerned
with the treatment of viral hepatitis in which Poria was one of several herbal
ingredients. Hoeleu is widely available in Chinese herbal shops in bulk, and is also
included in many commercial preparations.
Key active constituents
Polysaccharides – spachyman and packymaran (anti-tumour and
immunomodulating)
Tetracyclic triterpenes (immunomodulation and antiviral)
Auricularia auricula
Fig. 5 Auricularia auricula growing on fallen timber
This fungus is widely known as Jew’s ear (a contraction of Judas’ ear),
wooden ear, or tree ear and in Japan, Kikurage. They are facultative parasites
growing on trunks of many broadleaf trees or on dead wood (Hobbs, 1995). The
fruiting body is gelatinous, elastic, rubber in texture and widely used in Chinese
cuisine. However, it is an acquired taste! It is widespread in United States, Europe
40
and Asia. Historically, it has been used in China both as a food and medicine. It is
particularly useful for stopping pain and bleeding, and is regularly prescribed in
traditional Chinese medicine to treat haemorrhoids and excessive uterine bleeding
(Ying et al., 1987). Kikurage has a high content of undigestible polysaccharides or
dietary fiber.
Pharmacologically, the polysaccharides have been used as immune toxins,
anticoagulants and to lower cholesterol. Extracts of Auricularia prevent egg
implantation in animals terminating early and mid-pregnancy (He and Chen, 1991).
Owing to this possible teratogenicity, it is recommended that Auricularia extracts
should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women and those planning to conceive.
This is believed to be one of the first mushrooms to be artificially cultivated in
China. Now extensively cultivated in Asia for culinary and medicinal purposes. As
yet there is no cultivation practice on the West.
Key active constituents
Polysaccharides (immune stimulation, anticoagulant, lowering cholesterol).
41
Hericium erinaceus
Fig. 6 Hericium erinaceus growing on fallen log
This is an edible mushroom occurring widely in Japan and China, growing on
standing and decayed broadleaf trees such as oak, walnut and beech. It can also
cause heart rot in standing trees. Originally collected from the wild, it is now
extensively grown artificially on logs and sawdust mixtures making this mushroom
available all the year round. It is known in the West as the hedgehog or monkey
head fungus and in China as Shishigashida because the fruiting body looks like the
head of a lion. When air dried and extracted with hot water it is used extensively in
traditional Chinese medicine (Houtou), to promote digestion and general vigour,
strength and general nutrition. The polysaccharide from this mushroom have cytostatic
effects on gastric, oesophageal, hepatic and skin cancers (Mizuno, 1999;
42
Mizuno et al., 1992). Mycelium produced from several Hericium spp. and then
extracted with hot water formed the basis of a sports drink named Houtou that was
used in the 11th Asia Sports Festival (1990) and is believed to have contributed to
the remarkable activities of Chinese players!!
It is anticipated that this mushroom will become an important component in
future health foods.
Key active constituents
Beta-D-glucans (antitumour)
Ergosterol (provitamin D)
Cyathane derivatives (nerve growth stimulators)
Grifola frondosa
This fungus forms large fan-shaped mushroom heads that often fuse together
in masses at the base or on the roots of broadleaf trees. It can invade the core of
the tree as a parasite causing extensive decay. It is often called ‘Hen of the Woods’
or ‘Sheep’s Head’ while it is more often called in Japan, Maitake, which mean
‘dancing nymph’. In the early stages it is sought after for its delicious taste and
excellent aroma. Previously, it was only collected from the wild and, consequently,
was highly prized and priced. Since the late 1970s, it can be artificially cultivated on
logs or sawdust mixtures and now many thousands of tons are being grown in Asia
and more recently USA (Chen, 1999). In traditional Chinese medicine it has been
used for improving spleen and stomach ailments, calming nerves and treating
haemorrhoids (Hobbs, 1995). Maitake is a component of a wide range of Chinese
medicines.
43
Fig. 7a Grifola frondosa growing naturally at base of tree.
Fig. 7b G. frondosa growing on sawdust mixture
44
Recent studies have shown that polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein
complexes from this mushroom have significant anti-cancer activity (Hishida et al.,
1988, Kurashige et al., 1997). A limited number of clinical studies in Japan and the
USA have shown that a purified fraction of polysaccharide is highly effective against
cancers of the breast, lung, liver, prostate and brain. Details of clinical trials will be
discussed later. Other fractions from G. frondosa exhibit immunological
enhancement together with properties of anti-HIV, antihypertension, antidiabetic,
and antiobesity (Zhuang and Mizuno, 1999). It is interesting to note that the β-
glucan fractions from this mushroom are now being used by over 3,000 health
professionals in the US for the prevention and treatment of :
Flu and common infection (bacteria and viruses)
AIDS (HIV)
Diabetes mellitus
Hypertension
Hypercholesterolemia
Urinary tract infections (particularly for women) (Professor Konno – personal
communication).
Capsules with dried Maitake form widely accepted dietary supplements and
apart from the Far East are now being extensively marketed in US and in Europe.
Other examples are Maitake tea, whole Maitake powder and a Maitake drink.
Key active constituents:
1,3 and 1,6 Beta glucans (antitumour and immunomodulating)
Commercial product “Grifolan”
45
Flammulina velutipes
This is one of the most popular edible mushrooms in China and Japan where
it is known as Enokitake. In nature it grows on stumps or decayed wood of
hardwood trees as a typical mushroom. It is now mostly produced by artificial
cutivation from jars of sawdust mix. After growth through the sawdust medium and
as the primordia form on the surface, a plastic collar is placed around the neck of the
jar and with special environmental conditions, results in the formation of elongated
stipes and tiny mushroom heads. While they may be cooked in various ways they
can also be used directly in salads. This is a major edible mushroom. It can be
slightly salty and bitter in taste and is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat
liver diseases and gastric ulcers. Polysaccharides from this mushroom have been
shown to inhibit the growth of cancers in a number of xenograph models.
Flammulin, a basic simple protein from F. velutipes is able to markedly inhibit tumour
cells (Komatsu et al., 1963). Flammulin has been purified to a crystalline state and
clinical trials are now in progress (Zhang et al., 1999). The first scientific paper
stating that edible mushrooms were effective against a solid tumour was with
Flammulina.
A new antitumour glycoprotein has been isolated from cultured mycelium of
this fungus - Proflamin. It is useful in combination therapy with other chemotherapy
agents (Ikekawa, 1995).
Furthermore, an epidemiological study in Nagano Prefecture, Japan
showed that the cancer death rate among farmers producing F. velutipes was
remarkably lower than that of other people in the Prefecture and in Japan overall
(Ikekawa, 2001).
46
Key active ingredients:
Beta-glucan-protein (antitumour and immunomodulating)
Beta-glycoprotein-Proflamin (antitumour)
Fig. 8a F. velutipes growing naturally on tree stump
47
Fig. 8b F. velutipes growing artificially on sawdust mix
Pleurotus ostreatus
The fruit-body of this mushroom is oyster-shaped and hence the common
name Oyster Mushroom. It grows in layered clusters on deciduous trees in many
parts of the world. It is one of the easiest to grow, most often on straw or sawdust
48
Fig. 9a P. ostreatus growing on decayed timber
49
logs, and has become one of the most popular edible mushrooms with a pleasant
odour and taste. In the Sung dynasty (A.D. 420-479) it was referred to as “the
mushroom of flower heaven” (Stamets, 1993, Hobbs, 1995).
Fig. 9b P. ostreatus growing on sawdust mixture
The medicinally beneficial effects of Pleurotus spp. were discovered
independently on different continents. The awareness of their medicinal properties
comes not only from Asia but from the folklore of central Europe, South America and
African (Gunde-Cimerman, 1999). While first artificially cultivated in USA,
production is now worldwide. There have been a number of studies suggesting a
50
role in numerous diseases with its anti-cancer activity, immunomodulating effects,
and antiviral, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory activities. The major cause of death in
the Western hemisphere is coronary artery disease with hypercholesterolemia as a
primary risk factor. Drug therapy for lowering cholesterol has made considerable
use of the pharmacologic agent lovastatin (mevinolin) and its analogues. Species of
the genus Pleurotus are excellent producers of lovastatin and as such, Pleurotus
could be considered as a functional food with natural cholesterol-lowering ability
(Gunde-Cimerman, 1999). However, large scale production of lovastatin from fruitbodies
is not deemed commercially viable because of variability in fruit-body
composition. Lovastatin is normally found only in the lamella and basidiospores and
not in the stipe and cap. Mycelial cultivation could be the way ahead.
Key active constituents:
Beta-glucans (antitumour, immunomodulation)
Lovastatin (cholesterol-lowering)
Trametes (Coriolus) versicolor
This is a fungus with many synonyms but Trametes is now the accepted
genus name. The multicoloured cap resembles a ‘turkey tail’ and occurs as
overlapping clusters on dead logs in most parts of the world. This is not an edible
fungus but hot water extracts have been used in traditional Chinese medicine from
historical times for a wide range of ailments (Ying et al., 1987). Modern studies have
produced two extremely important compounds, PSK or “Krestin”, a water-soluble
protein-bound polysaccharide and PSP, a polysaccharide-peptide both derived from
mycelial cultures of the fungus. PSK has been shown to act directly on tumour cells
(cytostatic and cytotoxic) as well as indirectly in the host to boost cellular
51
Fig. 10 Trametes versicolor growing naturally on fallen timber
immunity (Tsukagoshi, 1984). PSK also shows antiviral activity through stimulation
of interferon production. PSP is a powerful immunostimulant and anti-cancer agent
(Yang, 1993, Ng,1998). There have been a wide range of clinical trials for a range of
human cancers. In most cases when taken with traditional chemotherapy or
radiotherapy there have been significant increases in patient longevity. In 1987
“Krestin” accounted for 25% of the total expenditure of anti-cancer agents in Japan
(Fukushima, 1989). A polysaccharopeptide isolated from this mushroom has been
shown to inhibit the HIV-1 (Collins and Ng, 1997) while a polysaccharide showed
chemopreventitive activity in an in vitro model (Kun et al., 1999). PSP and PSK are
52
just beginning to be available in the US and Europe. These compounds will be
extensively discussed in later Chapters.
Key active constituents:
Beta-glucan-proteins (antitumour, antiviral, immunomodulating)
Ergopsterol (provitamin D2)
Tremella mesenterica and T. fuciformis
This fungus is commonly known as the “white auricularia” or “white jelly
fungus”, and in Japan, Shirokikurage, with a jelly-like, translucent fruiting-body which
usually grows on deciduous trees in warm climates worldwide. It can now be grown
artificially and is being increasingly consumed in Asia.
It has a long historical use in traditional Chinese medicine as an immune tonic
and for treating debility and exhaustion together with many other ailments including
skin-care. It contains acidic polysaccharides especially glucuronoxylomannan,
readily extracted with hot water giving a smooth and stable solution used in Oriental
cuisine. The polysaccharides of this fungus show anti-cancer activity and can
enhance immune functions (Hobbs, 1995). Clinical trials have shown it to be
effective in treating radio- and chemo-therapy-induced leukopenia, boosting
immunological functions and stimulating leukocyte activity (Hu and But, 1987). Med
Myco Ltd. (Israel) have developed a submerged fermentation method to produce
Tremellastin from T. mesenterica mycelium which contains 50%
glucuronoxylomannan, together with proteins rich in amino acids, dietary fibre and
vitamins of the B group. Dietary supplements from Tremella are only now beginning
to expand into the Asian market, and they will certainly be of special significance in
the cosmetic industry.
53
Fig. 11a T. mesenterica growing naturally on deciduous tree
Fig. 11b T. fuciformis growing naturally on deciduous tree
54
Key active constituents:
Acidic polysaccharides (glucuronoxylomannan) (antitumour, immunostimulatory,
antidiabetic, skin enhancing)
Cordyceps sinensis and C. sobolifera
The fungi grow as parasites in larvae of Lepidoptera, gradually taking over
the entire larval body. The diseased larvae bury themselves in the soil and die.
Later the fungal mass or stroma grows out of the pupa and can be identified and
collected.
The caterpillar fungus or Tochukaso has been highly regarded in Chinese
medicine for many centuries. It is not a mushroom type fungus and the fruiting
structure cannot be cultivated or cultured. The complete structure can be used in
many forms, whole, powdered or extracted and has many applications in Chinese
medicine (Hobbs, 1995; Halpern, 1999). Anti-cancerr polysaccharides have been
isolated from several species of Cordyceps and some have been shown to have
hypoglycaemic activity as well (Jones, 1997; Itami and Yahagi, 1990; Kun 1998). A
major concern with herbal medicine using Cordyceps collected from nature is quality
and safety.
However, the pure mycelium of these parasitic fungi can now be easily
cultivated in fermentors and is attracting considerable interest as an agent to treat
fatigue and improve motor function (Mizuno, 1999). The major chemical,
pharmacological and toxicological studies on Cordyceps sinensis have been
reviewed for English and Chinese literature by Zhu et al. (1988a,b). These studies
show that the main activities of the fungus are in oxygen-free-radical scavenging.
55
Fig. 12 Cordyceps spp. stroma growing out of colonised insects
56
With this particular fungus it is clear that there will be increased usage of fermenterproduced
mycelium. Such methods use selected media under aseptic conditions,
providing better quality and homogeneity through process control.
Key active constituents:
Galactomannans (antitumour, immunostimulating)
Cordycepin
Sterols
Schizophyllum commune
This is a small, whitish fungus with no stalk which grows on dead trees
throughout the year. It is a very common fungus and has worldwide distribution
(Hobbs, 1995). Pharmacologically it is extremely important because it produces the
polysaccharide Schizophyllan which shows considerable anti-cancer activity in
xenograph and clinical practice. There have been numerous clinical trials with
Schizophyllan which will be discussed later (Ooi and Liu, 2000).
Key active constituents:
Beta-glucans (antitumour and immunomodulation).
57
Fig. 13a S. commune growing naturally on dead deciduous tree
Fig. 13b S. commune view of underside of fruitbody
58
Agaricus blazei
This mushroom was first discovered in the USA in the 1940s but its main
commercial cultivation now occurs in Japan and Brazil. In Japan it is called
Himematsutake and is one of the most expensive medicinal mushrooms. A novel
polysaccharide-protein complex has been shown to be highly active against a variety
of xenographs (Ito et al., 1997).
Key active constituents:
Beta (1,3)-D-glucan, Beta (1-4)-D-glucan, Beta (1-6)-D-glucan (antitumour and
immune enhancing)
Proteoglucans (antitumour).
Fig. 14 Agaricus blazei, Himematsutake or the Almond Portobella, grown in
cased leachate cow manure (Stamets, 2000)
59
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Acknowledgement:
Figs. 1a, 2a, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7a,b, 8a,b, 9a,b, 10, 11a, , 12, 13a,b, are reproduced with permission from
ISBN4-635-09020-5 published by Yama-Kei Publishers Co. Ltd., 1-1-33, Shiba-daimon, Minato-ku,
Tokyo.
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