Royal Sun Medicinal Mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis Ka21 (Higher Basidiomycetes), as a Functional Food in Humans

Abstract

The Royal Sun medicinal mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis, is used as a natural health product. In Japan, however, the quality control of some of these mushroom products has been viewed as a safety problem. Focusing on the quality control of A. brasiliensis KA21, we have performed several safety studies. To date, we have established evidence that this mushroom can be used safely as an immunostimulant and to mediate biochemical parameters associated with obesity or diabetes. Furthermore, to improve the manufacturing process of this mushroom, we have studied the relationship between its pharmaceutical actions and the conditions of its cultivation and thermal management. The purpose of this review is to report the findings of basic and clinical studies of the fruit body of A. brasiliensis KA21.

Adjuvant Therapy With Mushroom Polysaccharides for Diabetic Complications

“…Agaricus brasiliensis Ka21, a type of higher Basidiomycete, is deemed to be a safe immunostimulant mediator of biochemical parameters relevant to diabetes and obesity. Safety studies of A. brasiliensis Ka21 have been carried out to confirm its safety as a functional food (Yamanaka et al, 2013).…”

<i>In vitro</i> Anti-Influenza Virus Activity of <i>Agaricus brasiliensis</i> KA21

“…The contents of -glucan in mushrooms vary according to the growing conditions, such as soil, climate, and season Suga, 2004 . Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 grown in open culture is more nutritious than that grown in greenhouses Yamanaka et al, 2013 . In the present study, an extract of Agaricus brasiliensis was found to exhibit antiviral effects on influenza virus in vitro. Substances that serve as active centers of Agaricus brasiliensis need to be identified in future studies.…”

Diabetes Ameliorating Effect of Mushrooms and ameliorating diabetes

“…Performed studies on murine models and human volunteers to examine the immuneenhancing effects of the naturally outdoor-cultivated fruit body of A. brasiliensis KA21 (i.e. Agaricusblazei) has shown antitumor, leukocyte-enhancing, hepatopathy-alleviating and endotoxin shockalleviating effects in mice [23][24][25]. In the human study, percentage body fat, percentage visceral fat, blood cholesterol level and blood glucose level were decreased and natural killer cell activity was increased.…”