Emma Wilson
Maitake mushrooms, also known as the King of Mushrooms, have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Maitake D-fraction is a bioactive extract that has been widely studied for its potential therapeutic effects on cancer. While maitake mushroom extract has shown promising results in enhancing immune function and stimulating antitumor responses, clinical evidence of its anticancer effects remains limited. Initial studies suggest that maitake extract may improve survival rates and reduce side effects in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further research is needed to confirm the efficacy of maitake mushroom extract in cancer treatment and to understand its complex effects on the immune system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Maitake Mushroom |
| Scientific Name | Grifola frondosa |
| Cancer-Fighting Properties | Maitake mushroom extract has been shown to have anti-cancer properties in mice and immunomodulatory effects in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. It may also improve immune response in patients undergoing chemotherapy and has been shown to increase response rates and reduce side effects. |
| Forms | Maitake mushroom can be consumed fresh or dried, or taken as a liquid extract, tablet, or capsule. |
| Traditional Use | Maitake mushrooms have been used in traditional Asian medicine for various health purposes and are currently used in Japan and China to treat diabetes, hypertension, and lung diseases. |
| Ongoing Research | Clinical trials and studies are ongoing to evaluate the anticancer potential of maitake mushroom extract, including its effects on different types of cancer cells and the immune system. |
| Limitations | There is limited clinical evidence of Maitake mushroom's anticancer effects in humans, and larger-scale studies are needed to determine its effectiveness. |
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What You'll Learn
- Maitake D-fraction increases chemotherapy response rates and reduces side effects
- Maitake Pro4X prevents oncogenesis in BALBc mice
- Maitake mushroom polysaccharides induce apoptosis in human prostatic cancer cells
- Maitake extract has immunomodulatory effects on postmenopausal breast cancer patients
- Maitake mushroom extract may induce ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Maitake D-fraction increases chemotherapy response rates and reduces side effects
Maitake D-fraction is a bioactive extract of the Grifola frondosa mushroom, also known as the Maitake mushroom. Maitake means "dancing mushroom" and has been extensively used in traditional Asian medicine for numerous health-promoting purposes.
The Maitake D-fraction has been widely studied as an adjuvant therapy for cancer treatment. It acts as a biologic response modifier, providing T-cell-dependent immune enhancement and activation, resulting in an enhanced antitumor effect.
In a study where patients receiving chemotherapy for various cancers were given Maitake D-fraction, response rates increased from 12% to 28%, and chemotherapy side effects were reduced. Another study suggests a direct antitumor effect of Maitake D-fraction, with the induction of apoptosis observed in breast cancer.
Maitake D-Fraction has been found to enhance the effects of chemotherapy and reduce its side effects. In one study, the combination of D-Fraction and the chemotherapeutic agent mitomycin-C (MMC) was investigated in mice with mammary cancer cells. The results showed that the combination of D-Fraction and MMC inhibited tumor cell growth more effectively than MMC alone. Additionally, the D-Fraction reduced the immunosuppressive activity of MMC, suggesting that it can enhance the host immune system during chemotherapy.
Maitake D-fraction has also been shown to have immunostimulatory and immune-independent antitumoral effects on some cancer types. For example, in studies on triple-negative breast cancer cells, Maitake D-Fraction decreased cell viability through apoptosis induction and reduced their metastatic potential.
Overall, Maitake D-fraction has been found to increase chemotherapy response rates and reduce its side effects, making it a promising adjunct therapy for cancer treatment.
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Maitake Pro4X prevents oncogenesis in BALBc mice
Maitake Pro4X is a purified extract containing 30% of active proteo beta-glucan from the Grifola frondosa mushroom, also known as Maitake. Maitake D-Fraction Pro4X is a product commercially available from Mushroom Wisdom, Inc.
Maitake Pro4X has been found to prevent oncogenesis in BALB/c mice. In a study, female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: a control group, a Maitake Standard group, and a Maitake D-Fraction Pro4X group. After 15 days of treatment with each compound in a concentration of 5 mg/kg, breast tumour development was observed in the mice. The control group showed 100% breast tumour development, while the Maitake Standard group showed a 50% development rate, and the Maitake Pro4X group showed a 30% development rate. This suggests that Maitake Pro4X has a potential inhibitory effect against mammary tumour development and may reduce metastasis and invasion.
Another study found that 5 mg/kg per day of Maitake D-Fraction Pro4X, administered daily for 15 days to BALB/c mice, was able to block more than 60% of breast cancer development. The Maitake Standard, in comparison, prevented oncogenesis in 26% of cases. This study also found that Maitake D-Fraction Pro4X prevented breast carcinogenesis, blocked tumour invasiveness, reduced angiogenesis, and increased overall survival.
Maitake has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, particularly in Asia, to treat various ailments, including diabetes and hypertension. Modern research has shown that Maitake extracts have antitumor potential and can enhance immune function. The beta-glucans in Maitake have been identified as the active constituent, influencing the switching on and off of genes expressed in human breast cancer cells.
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Maitake mushroom polysaccharides induce apoptosis in human prostatic cancer cells
Maitake mushroom, also known as Grifola frondosa, is an edible mushroom widely consumed in Asia and used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes and hypertension. Maitake extracts are available as dietary supplements marketed to enhance immune function and treat AIDS and cancer.
Maitake mushroom polysaccharides, when administered intravenously or intraperitoneally along with standard chemotherapeutic agents, act as immunostimulants with no adverse effects. The Maitake D-fraction is the bioactive extract that has been widely studied as an adjuvant therapy. It acts as a biologic response modifier, providing T-cell-dependent immune enhancement and activation that enhances the antitumor effect.
In a study by Fullerton et al. (2000), Maitake D-fraction was found to have a cytotoxic effect on human prostate cancer cells (PC9) by creating oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, resulting in more than 95% cell death. Another study by Hiroaki and Keiko (1997) tested the cancer-preventive potential of maitake polysaccharides in mice.
The Maitake D-fraction has also been found to induce apoptosis in human prostatic cancer cells through its beta-glucan content. Combinations of GD in concentrations as low as 30 to 60 microg/mL with 200 microM vitamin C were as effective as GD alone at 480 microg/mL, inducing >90% cytotoxic cell death. This suggests that Maitake mushroom polysaccharides have great potential as an alternative therapeutic modality for prostate cancer.
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Maitake extract has immunomodulatory effects on postmenopausal breast cancer patients
Maitake, also known as Grifola frondosa, is an edible polypore mushroom used in East Asian traditional medicine. Maitake extract has been widely studied as an adjuvant therapy for cancer treatment. The extract contains beta-glucans, which have been shown to have notable effects on the immune system.
In a phase I/II dose escalation trial, 34 postmenopausal breast cancer patients were enrolled sequentially in five cohorts. The patients orally consumed Maitake liquid extract at doses of 0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 3, or 5 mg/kg twice daily for 3 weeks. The study found that Maitake extract had immunomodulatory effects on postmenopausal breast cancer patients, with no dose-limiting toxicity encountered. However, two patients withdrew from the study due to possible side effects, including nausea, joint swelling, rash, and pruritus.
The immunomodulatory effects of Maitake extract were observed in the enhancement of NK cell response, macrophage and cytotoxic T cell activity, and antibody response. Additionally, Maitake extract may modulate antigen presentation and increase interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production in mouse splenocytes. The largest functional changes were seen in granulocyte response to PMA stimulation, IL-10 production, and TNF-α production, with the optimal dose of Maitake extract at around 5-7 mg/kg per day.
Maitake extract has shown promising results in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, with the potential to boost immune function and enhance antitumor activity. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the effects of Maitake extract on cancer treatment and its safety profile. It is important for cancer patients to consult with their healthcare providers before taking any dietary supplements, including Maitake extract.
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Maitake mushroom extract may induce ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) is an edible fungus widely consumed in Asia as food and used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes and hypertension. Maitake mushroom extract has been found to improve insulin resistance, a prominent feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin-sensitizing drugs are used to induce ovulation in patients with PCOS.
A study conducted in Japan with 80 patients with PCOS explored the effects of Maitake extract (SX-fraction: MSX) to induce ovulation in patients with PCOS in comparison with and in combination with clomiphene citrate (CC). Seventy-two patients were randomly assigned to receive MSX or CC monotherapy for up to 12 weeks. Eighteen patients who did not respond to MSX or CC were then given a combination of the two therapies for up to 16 weeks. Eight patients with a history of failure to respond to CC were given the combination therapy from the beginning.
The study found that Maitake mushroom extract alone may induce ovulation in patients with PCOS and may be useful as an adjunct therapy for patients who do not respond to first-line CC treatment.
Maitake mushroom extract has also been studied for its potential anticancer properties. In vitro and animal studies have shown that it stimulates the immune system, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, and acts as an antioxidant. It has been found to be effective against breast, prostate, and liver cancer, particularly when used in combination with chemotherapy.
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Frequently asked questions
Maitake mushroom extract is a bioactive extract called D-fraction, which is taken from the Grifola frondosa mushroom. Maitake means "dancing mushroom".
There is some evidence that maitake mushroom extract has anti-cancer properties. In one study, patients receiving chemotherapy for several different cancers saw response rates increase from 12% to 28% when given maitake D-fraction. Other studies have shown tumour regression or significant improvements in symptoms. However, there is limited clinical evidence of its anti-cancer effects and it is not known how helpful maitake extract is in cancer care.
Maitake mushrooms are used in Japan and China to treat diabetes and hypertension. They are also marketed as dietary supplements to enhance immune function and to treat AIDS.
Maitake mushroom extract is available in liquid form, as well as tablets and capsules.
