eCAM Advance Access originally published online on April 12, 2007
eCAM 2008 5(2):205-219; doi:10.1093/ecam/nem016
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Immunomodulating Activity of Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 in Mice and in Human Volunteers
1Mibyou Medical Research Center, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Tokyo, Japan 2Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan 3Laboratory for Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Tokyo, Japan 4Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Suzuka University of Medical Science and Mie, Japan, and 5Toei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
We performed studies on murine models and human volunteers to examine the immunoenhancing effects of the naturally outdoor-cultivated fruit body of Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 (i.e. Agaricus blazei). Antitumor, leukocyte-enhancing, hepatopathy-alleviating and endotoxin shock-alleviating effects were found in mice. In the human study, percentage body fat, percentage visceral fat, blood cholesterol level and blood glucose level were decreased, and natural killer cell activity was increased. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that the A. brasiliensis fruit body is useful as a health-promoting food.
Keywords: A. brasiliensis – clinical research – cold water extract – NK activity – outdoor-cultivated – safety
For reprints and all correspondence: Naohito Ohno, Professor, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, School of Pharmacy, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan. Tel: +81-426-76-5570; Fax: +81-426-76-5570; E-mail: ohnonao{at}ps.toyaku.ac.jp
Received July 1, 2006; accepted January 16, 2007