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Maitake, Hen of the Woods · 2014 · Research Article

High relevance

Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts.

Grifola frondosa

Immune support
SpeciesMaitake, Hen of the Woods
JournalAnnals of translational medicine
Year2014

Key points

  • BACKGROUND: The role of glucan in stimulation of immune reactions has been studied for several decades
  • In this report, we focused on the effects of orally administered glucan Maitake and Shiitake on immune reactions
  • MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured phagocytosis, NK cell activity, and secretion of IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) after 14 days of oral application of tested glucans
  • RESULTS: We found significant stimulation of defense reaction
  • In all cases, the most active was the Maitake-Shiitake combination, with Maitake alone being the second strongest, followed by Shiitake on its own and AHCC. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term oral application of natural immunomodulating glucans from Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms strongly stimulated both the cellular and humoral branch of immune reactions
  • These activities were significantly higher than those of AHCC

Metadata-grounded summary

Citation abstract

BACKGROUND: The role of glucan in stimulation of immune reactions has been studied for several decades. In this report, we focused on the effects of orally administered glucan Maitake and Shiitake on immune reactions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured phagocytosis, NK cell activity, and secretion of IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) after 14 days of oral application of tested glucans. For comparison, active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) was used in all reactions.

RESULTS: We found significant stimulation of defense reaction. In all cases, the most active was the Maitake-Shiitake combination, with Maitake alone being the second strongest, followed by Shiitake on its own and AHCC.

CONCLUSIONS: Short-term oral application of natural immunomodulating glucans from Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms strongly stimulated both the cellular and humoral branch of immune reactions. These activities were significantly higher than those of AHCC.

Citation

Vetvicka V, Vetvickova J (2014). Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts. Annals of translational medicine https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2014.01.05 PMID: 25332990

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