Anti-cancer effect of polysaccharides isolated from higher basidiomycetes mushrooms

Abstract

He had focused a lifetime of research upon development of various antitumor substances from medicinal mushrooms, and is considered one of the 20 th century greatest scientist in his field. Mizuno proved that many polysaccharides with antitumor and immunopotentiating qualities were synthesised in cultured mycelia no less and in fact often better than in fruiting bodies. This result virtually revolutionised mushroom producing and processing business."Medicine and food both originate from the same root" is a Japanese proverb Mizuno often quoted. MinireviewAnti-cancer effect of polysaccharides isolated from higher basidiomycetes mushrooms Anti-tumor activity of mushroom fruit bodies and mycelial extracts evaluated using different cancer cell lines. These polysaccharide extracts showed potent antitumor activity against sarcoma 180, mammary adenocarcinoma 755, leukemia L-1210 and a host of other tumors. The antitumor activity was mainly due to indirect host mediated immunotherapeutic effect. These studies are still in progress in many laboratories and the role of the polysaccharides as immunopotentiators is especially under intense debate. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the available information in this area and to indicate the present status of the research.

Influence of Roasting Temperatures on the Antioxidant Properties, β-Glucan Content, and Volatile Flavor Profiles of Shiitake Mushroom

“…Many studies related to shiitake mushrooms have been conducted, especially regarding the functional properties, the identification and extractions of the taste components, and flavor analysis. For example, β-glucan found in high levels in shiitake mushrooms has beneficial health functional properties: for example, anti-tumor and anti-cancer activities [4][5][6]. High antioxidant properties and an effect to decrease levels of blood cholesterol have also been reported [2,7,8].…”

Modulation of NKG2D, KIR2DL and Cytokine Production by Pleurotus ostreatus Glucan Enhances Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity Toward Cancer Cells

“…Polysaccharides isolated from mushrooms significantly induce both innate and adaptive immune response and thus have inherent immune-stimulatory properties with varieties of clinical and medicinal applications (Ooi and Liu, 2000; Tsan and Gao, 2007). Several mushroom polysaccharides have been established as potent antitumor agents: Lentinan from Lentinula edodes (Chihara et al, 1970), SSG from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum FKL (Suzuki et al, 1988), and Schizophyllan from Schizophyllum commne Fries (Mitani et al, 1982; Daba and Ezeronye, 2003; Hong et al, 2012). These polysaccharides regulate both macrophages and T cells immunomodulatory chemokines and cytokines.…”

Hypoxia protects against the cell death triggered by oxovanadium–galactomannan complexes in HepG2 cells

“…According to an old Japanese story, the wild monkeys on Mount Fuji rarely develop cancer, high blood pressure or diabetes [25]. The story suggests that this could be to some extent related to their consumption of wild mushrooms.…”