Immunomodulating Activity of Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 in Mice and in Human Volunteers
Ying Liu1, Yasushi Fukuwatari, Ko Okumura
1Mibyou Medical Research Center, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Tokyo, Japan Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan Laboratory for Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Tokyo, Japan Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Suzuka University of Medical Science and Mie, Japan, and Toei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
We performed studies on murine models and human volunteers to examine the immunoenhancing effects of the naturally outdoor-cultivated fruit body of Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 (i.e. Agaricus blazei). Antitumor, leukocyte-enhancing, hepatopathy-alleviating and endotoxin shock-alleviating effects were found in mice. 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. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that the A. brasiliensis fruit body is useful as a health-promoting food.
