Laura Smith
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a highly prevalent infectious agent, responsible for 99.7% of cervical cancer cases and associated with several other cancers. While HPV vaccination is an effective preventive measure, there is currently no cure for HPV. However, medicinal mushrooms have gained attention for their therapeutic potential, with one extract, in particular, showing promise in treating HPV infections. AHCC, an extract derived from shiitake mushrooms, has been clinically proven to help clear HPV infections and improve immune function. In addition to AHCC, other mushroom species, such as Coriolus versicolor and turkey tails, have been studied for their anti-cancer and immunomodulatory properties, showcasing the potential of medicinal mushrooms in the fight against HPV and its associated complications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms with HPV-fighting properties | Coriolus versicolor, AHCC (extract from shiitake mushrooms), Fermented Chaga Mushroom, P. ferulae polysaccharides |
| Coriolus versicolor characteristics | Consists of glycoproteins called polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharopeptide (PSP) |
| Coriolus versicolor effectiveness | Demonstrated inhibition of proliferation in HeLa cells, improved cervical cytology abnormalities in patients who locally applied Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel |
| AHCC characteristics | Available as a nutritional supplement, improves the growth and function of cells that fight infections and prevent tumor growth, increases Natural Killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells and cytokines |
| AHCC effectiveness | Phase II trial showed 63.6% clearance of high-risk HPV infections in participants taking 3g of AHCC daily for six months, two pilot studies showed 50% and 44% clearance rates respectively |
| P. ferulae polysaccharides | Positive effect on antitumor therapeutic HPV dendritic cells-based vaccine, significantly inhibited tumor growth with increased activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells |
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What You'll Learn
- AHCC, a Japanese mushroom extract, has been clinically proven to help clear HPV
- Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel has shown higher cytology improvement and HPV clearance
- Fermented Chaga Mushroom has been studied for its hypoglycemic effects
- Turkey tail mushrooms have been studied for their ability to enhance immune function and combat disease
- P. ferulae polysaccharides have shown a positive effect on the antitumor therapeutic HPV dendritic cells-based vaccine
AHCC, a Japanese mushroom extract, has been clinically proven to help clear HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the second most common cancer-causing virus, responsible for 690,000 cervical and other cancers each year worldwide. While the immune system usually clears HPV, there are limited effective options for treating persistent infections. However, AHCC, a Japanese mushroom extract, has been clinically proven to help clear HPV.
AHCC (active hexose correlated compound) is a substance produced by the shiitake mushroom, also called the Japanese mushroom, native to Asia. It is available as a nutritional supplement and is known for its immune-boosting properties. It is composed of α-glucan components, unlike most mushroom extracts, which are composed of β-glucan.
Several animal and human studies have reported that AHCC has therapeutic effects, including enhanced antioxidant effects, anticancer activity, and modulation of the immune system to prevent the infectious processes of viral and bacterial infections. A Phase II clinical trial found that AHCC cleared persistent high-risk HPV infections in 63.6% of participants taking 3g of AHCC daily for six months. Another study of 10 women with HPV infections found that five tested negative for HPV after three months of AHCC use, with HPV completely eradicated in three of them after they stopped taking AHCC.
While AHCC is a promising treatment for HPV, it is important to note that it may not help all patients, and further evaluation is needed to determine the optimal duration of AHCC supplementation for durable outcomes. Additionally, only genuine AHCC products have been clinically tested, so it is important to purchase from reputable sources to avoid fake products.
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Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel has shown higher cytology improvement and HPV clearance
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the second most common cancer-causing infectious agent worldwide. It is responsible for more than 99% of cervical cancer cases and is also associated with vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, rectal, and oropharyngeal cancers. While HPV vaccination is an effective method of primary prevention, there are currently no effective treatments for those already infected with HPV. However, medicinal mushrooms have been used as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of various diseases, and recent studies have shown promising results in combating HPV with certain mushroom extracts.
One such mushroom is Coriolus versicolor, a basidiomycetes class mushroom that consists of glycoproteins called polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharopeptide (PSP). These compounds are responsible for its effectiveness in fighting against a variety of cancers. In the context of HPV treatment, Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel has shown promising results. In one study, cervical cytology abnormalities improved in patients who locally applied the Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel. Another study enrolled 91 HPV-positive women with low-grade Pap smear lesions. Three months after treatment, 78% of patients in the treated group had normal Pap smears, compared to 54.8% in the control group. At the six-month mark, the treated group showed 62.5% HPV clearance compared to 40% in the control group.
The active compound in Coriolus versicolor, polysaccharopeptide, has been studied in China for its immunotherapeutic potential. This mushroom extract has demonstrated the ability to arrest different phases of the cell cycle, induce immunomodulation, and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The inhibition of proliferation was also observed in cervical cancer cell lines, further supporting its potential in improving cervical cytology and clearing HPV infections.
While Coriolus versicolor has shown promising results in vaginal gel form, it is important to note that AHCC, an extract from shiitake mushrooms, has also demonstrated efficacy in treating HPV. AHCC is a well-researched immune supplement that has been clinically proven to help clear HPV infections. In a Phase II trial, AHCC cleared persistent high-risk HPV infections in 63.6% of participants who took 3g of AHCC daily for six months. This extract is available as a nutritional supplement and has been shown to improve the innate immune system, enhance antioxidant effects, and exhibit anticancer activity.
In conclusion, Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel has shown higher cytology improvement and HPV clearance in clinical studies. The active compounds in this mushroom, PSK and PSP, have demonstrated effectiveness in fighting cancer and improving cervical cytology. Additionally, AHCC, an extract from shiitake mushrooms, provides a promising supplementary treatment option for HPV with its immune-boosting and anticancer properties. Further research and clinical trials are ongoing to optimize the efficacy and duration of these mushroom-based treatments for HPV.
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Fermented Chaga Mushroom has been studied for its hypoglycemic effects
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the second most common cancer-causing virus, responsible for 690,000 cervical and other cancers each year worldwide. HPV is associated with 95% of anal cancer cases, 60% of oropharyngeal cancer cases, 65% of vaginal cancer cases, 50% of vulvar cancer cases, and 35% of penile cancer cases. While HPV vaccination is an effective method of primary prevention, there is currently no effective medicine or supplement to treat HPV.
One mushroom-based treatment that has shown promise is AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound), a Japanese mushroom extract. AHCC is available as a nutritional supplement and has been clinically proven to help clear HPV. In a Phase II trial, AHCC cleared persistent high-risk HPV infections in 63.6% of participants who took 3g of AHCC daily for six months. Another study found that 62.5% of high-risk HPV patients who applied a C. versicolor-based vaginal gel achieved HPV clearance, compared to 40% in the control group.
Fermented Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has been studied for its hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rats. The hypoglycemic and antioxidative effects of fermented Chaga mushroom were observed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The administration of fermented Chaga mushroom resulted in significantly lower lipid peroxidation in the liver, pancreas, and other subcellular components. It also significantly increased hepatic glutathione concentrations, which are closely associated with the antioxidant system. These results indicate that fermented Chaga mushroom may contribute to hypoglycemic effects and improve lipid metabolism.
In another study, the effects of an 8-week diet containing either fermented or non-fermented Chaga mushroom powder on the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat, a genetically manipulated diabetic rat model, were compared to a normal diet. The fermented Chaga mushroom group was characterized by dramatically low levels of serum glucose and leptin, while fructosamine and urine glucose levels trended lower. These results suggest that a dietary supplement of fermented Chaga mushroom may have a hypoglycemic effect in this rat model, and that the increased insulin concentration following 8 weeks of the diet may have contributed to improved hyperglycemia.
Chaga mushrooms have been used for centuries in Siberia and other parts of Asia as traditional medicine to boost immunity and improve overall health. They are packed with antioxidants and are available in tea or supplement form. Chaga mushroom extract has been shown to prevent the production of harmful cytokines, which are associated with inflammation and disease. It has also demonstrated anticancer effects in test-tube studies, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in the liver, lungs, breast, prostate, and colon.
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Turkey tail mushrooms have been studied for their ability to enhance immune function and combat disease
Turkey tail mushrooms, or "Yun Zhi" in Chinese and "kawaratake" in Japanese, are multicolored fungi that grow on tree trunks and fallen logs. They are named for their colorful, fan-like shape, which resembles a turkey's outspread tail. Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine for centuries. They have been studied for their ability to enhance immune function and combat disease.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain compounds known as polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK). These compounds have been shown to stimulate the immune system and possess anticancer properties. PSPs are powerful polysaccharopeptides that may strengthen the immune system and exhibit antitumor effects. A test-tube study found that PSK inhibited the growth and spread of human colon cancer cells. Additionally, a specific polysaccharide called Coriolus versicolor glucan (CVG) found in turkey tail mushrooms may suppress certain tumors.
The immune-boosting properties of turkey tail mushrooms have been demonstrated in clinical trials. A 2012 clinical trial found that breast cancer patients who took capsules of powdered turkey tail mushrooms recovered immune function more quickly after radiation therapy compared to those who did not. Turkey tail mushrooms have also been used as a complementary therapy in cancer treatment, particularly in Japan. A preparation made from the mushroom, known as krestin, has been utilized to support breast, lung, gastric, pancreatic, and liver cancer treatment.
Turkey tail mushrooms may also have potential benefits in treating HPV infections. A study of 91 women with HPV found that 84.9% of those treated with a turkey tail-based vaginal gel had normal results in pap smears and colposcopies after six months, compared to 64.5% in the control group. Additionally, 59.6% of the treated group were completely cleared of the virus, compared to 41.9% in the control group. Turkey tail mushrooms' ability to enhance immune function and combat HPV warrants further research and clinical trials.
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P. ferulae polysaccharides have shown a positive effect on the antitumor therapeutic HPV dendritic cells-based vaccine
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the second most common cancer-causing infectious agent worldwide. HPV is responsible for more than 99.7% of cervical cancer cases and may also cause vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, rectal, and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV vaccination is an effective method of primary prevention, but it is less effective for treating existing HPV-associated cancers.
One potential treatment for HPV-associated cancers is the use of P. ferulae polysaccharides, also known as PFPS, in combination with dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines. PFPS is derived from Pleurotus ferulae, a type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with various biological activities, including anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-microbial properties. PFPS has been shown to improve the maturation and function of DCs, which are the most potent antigen-presenting cells. By capturing, processing, and presenting antigens to naive T cells, DCs can generate antigen-specific immune responses.
In a study, PFPS-treated DCs pulsed with HPV peptides were used to treat tumor mice. The PFPS-treated DCs significantly inhibited tumor growth and improved the survival of the tumor mice compared to the control group. The improved antitumor efficacy was correlated with the increased activation status of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, the decreased frequencies of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and the induction of HPV-specific CD8+ T cell responses.
The positive effects of PFPS on the antitumor therapeutic HPV DC-based vaccine suggest that PFPS might be a potential adjuvant for DC-based vaccines. This provides a potential strategy for developing a therapeutic DC-based vaccine against cervical cancer and other HPV-associated cancers. Further research and clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of PFPS in combination with DC-based vaccines for the treatment of HPV-associated cancers.
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Frequently asked questions
AHCC, an extract from shiitake mushrooms, has been clinically proven to help clear HPV infections. It is available as a nutritional supplement.
AHCC stands for Active Hexose Correlated Compound. It is a readily available nutritional supplement that boosts the immune system.
AHCC has been shown to increase the number and/or activity of Natural Killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells and cytokines, which help the body fight off infections and block tumour growth.
