Maitake - Grifola frondosa

POLYSACCHARIDES, GROUP B VITAMINS, FIBERS, ERGOSTEROLS-PRO VITAMIN D2, β-GLUCANS.

Meridian: Kidney, Lung

Associated elements: Water, Metal

Maitake mushroom is a tasty edible mushroom. Maitake literally means "dancing mushroom." In addition to its unique flavor, it has been and is increasingly being used for medicinal purposes. Considered a medicinal mushroom, it has been extensively subjected to scientific studies over the past 30 years, noting a number of health properties that could provide significant health benefits. Various benefits of maitake have been demonstrated, ranging from immune-modulatory and anticancer activities to treatment for hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and hepatitis B infection. Its antiviral activity was also confirmed by the U.S. National Cancer Institute in 1992.

Of particular interest are the effects of Maitake on immune function, with a mechanism that promotes the action not only of macrophages, but also enhances the action of cytotoxic T cells that attack recognized non-self cells in the body. It will also cascade to increase the immune-related efficiency of such cells by increasing IL-1, IL-2 and lymphokines. It contains some polysaccharides with a unique and complex structure that is not found in other medicinal mushrooms, also based on this characteristic such molecules are particularly bioavailable even when taken orally.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

-Masuda Y, Inoue M, Miyata A, Mizuno S, Nanba H. Maitake β-glucan enhances therapeutic effect and reduces myelosupression and nephrotoxicity of cisplatin in mice. Int Immunopharmacol. 2009 5;9(5):620- 6.

–Lei H, Guo S, Han J, Wang Q, Zhang X, Wu W. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of MT-α-glucan and its effect on immune function of diabetic mice. Carbohydr Polym. 2012 6/5;89(1):245-50

-Gu CQ, Li JW, Chao FH. Inhibition of hepatitis B virus by D-fraction from Grifola frondosa: synergistic effect of combination with interferon-α In HepG2 2.2.15. Antiviral Res. 2006;72:162-165.

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-Developmental Therapeutics Program, National Cancer Institute. In-vitro anti-HIV drug screening results. NSC. 1992 Jan;:F195001.

- Morishige F. The role of vitamin C in tumor therapy (human) In: Meyskens FI Jr, Parasad KN, editors. Vitamins and Cancer: Human Cancer Prevention by Vitamins and Micronutrients. Clifton, NJ: Humana Press; 1986. pp. 399-427.

–Mayell M. Maitake extracts and their therapeutic potential - A review. Alternative Medicine Review. 2001;6(1):48-60.

–Lee BC, Bae JT, Pyo HB, Choe TB, Kim SW, Hwang HJ, et al. Biological activities of the polysaccharides produced from submerged culture of the edible basidiomycete grifola frondosa. Enzyme Microb Technol. 2003 4/8;32(5):574-81.

–Konno S, Tortorelis DG, Fullerton SA, Samadi AA, Hettiarachchi J, Tazaki H. A possible hypoglycaemic effect of maitake mushroom on type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetic Med. 2001;18(12):1010-

–Nanba H, Hamaguchi A, Kuroda H. The chemical structure of an antitumor polysaccharide in fruit bodies of Grifola frondosa (maitake). Chem Pharm Bull 1987;35:1162- 1168

–Takama F, Ninomiya S, Yoda R, et al. Parenchyma cells, chemical components of maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa S.F. Gray) cultured artificially, and their changes by storage and boiling. Mushroom Sci 1981;11:767-779.