Effect of the Medicinal Agaricus blazei Murill-Based Mushroom Extract, AndoSanTM, on Symptoms, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Crohn’s Disease in a Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo Controlled Study

Abstract

BackgroundIngestion of AndoSanTM, based on the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill, has previously shown an anti-inflammatory effect through reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in healthy individuals and patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). In this randomized single-blinded placebo-controlled study we examined whether intake of AndoSanTM also resulted in clinical effects.Methods and Findings50 patients with symptomatic CD were randomized for oral daily consumption of AndoSanTM or placebo for a 21-day experimental period, in this per-protocol study. Patients reported validated scores for symptoms, fatigue and health related quality of life (HRQoL) at days 0, 14 and 21. Fecal calprotectin and general blood parameters were also analyzed. In the AndoSanTM group (n = 25) symptoms improved from baseline (day 0) to days 14 and 21, with respective mean scores (95% CI) of 5.52 (4.64–6.40), 4.48 (3.69–5.27) and 4.08 (3.22–4.94) (p<0,001). We found significant improvements in symptom score for both genders in the AndoSanTM group, and no significant changes in the placebo (n = 25) group. There were however no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.106), although a marginal effect in symptom score for men (p = 0.054). There were comparable improvements in physical, mental and total fatigue for both groups. HRQoL versus baseline were at day 21 improved for bodily pain and vitality in the AndoSanTM group and for vitality and social functioning in the placebo group. No crucial changes in general blood samples and fecal calprotectin were detected.ConclusionsThe results from this single-blinded randomized clinical trial shows significant improvement on symptoms, for both genders, in the AndoSanTM group, but no significant differences between the study groups. The results on fatigue, HRQoL, fecal calprotectin and blood samples were quite similar compared with placebo. The patients did not report any harms or unintended effects of AndoSanTM. CD patients with mild to moderate symptoms may have beneficiary effects of AndoSanTM as a safe supplement in addition to conventional medication.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01496053

Moderate consumption of a soluble green/roasted coffee rich in caffeoylquinic acids reduces cardiovascular risk markers: results from a randomized, cross-over, controlled trial in healthy and hypercholesterolemic subjects

“…Cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1), which are more specific markers of endothelial function, were not modified during the intervention. Although the plasma levels of these chemoattractant proteins and colony-stimulating factors quantified by a bead-based multiplex technology differed from values reported in the literature determined by ELISA assays [51,52], they were in line with published values for these chemokines quantified by the Luminex technology [53,54].…”

The Effect of Dietary Mushroom Agaricus bisporus on Intestinal Microbiota Composition and Host Immunological Function

“…Thus, processing of the mushroom may determine the effect produced on immune cells, possibly due to different solubility and potency of specific compounds [ 10 , 11 ]. Edible mushrooms have been studied extensively for their immune modulating properties in animal models including β-glucan-induced anti-inflammatory effects [ 3 , 12 ], enhanced NK cell activity [ 11 , 13 ], improved dendritic cell (DC) maturation and function [ 14 ], increased cytokine production [ 15 ], increased protective immunity from Salmonella vaccination [ 16 ], and anti-inflammatory effects in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Profile of phenolic and organic acids, antioxidant properties and ergosterol content in cultivated and wild growing species of Agaricus

“…The fruiting bodies of Agaricus have a fleshy cap or pileus with a dry, bare or scaly surface and a number of radiating plates or gills, the hymenophore. Agaricus species are appreciated due to their nutritional value, bioactive ingredients, antioxidant activity (including free radical scavenging) and biological effects, which makes them a valuable source of nutritional and pharmacological compounds [2][3][4]. Some species are not only ingredients of human diets, but also function as a health food used for centuries in traditional medicine.…”