Research & Reference

Agaricus blazei's ability to impact the immune system continues to be a subject of international research. Published research has shown that Agaricus blazei may be able to increase the activity of some of the most important immune system cells of the body like macrophage, NK cells, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

In addition, research has shown that Agaricus blazei may stimulate the production of immune system cytokines. Cytokines, are signalling proteins used by the immune system to carry out a variety of important functions. Amazingly, the mushroom has been shown to stimulate the production of over 15 different cytokines including those multiple types of interferons and interleukins! Click here to read a recent review of over 80 research papers published on Agaricus blazei! For your convenience, most of our research references are linked to their appropriate places on the National Institute of Health's website, Pubmed. Click here to view the WebMD listing for Agaricus blazei.

NIH Study conducted with Atlas World USA's exclusive strain of Agaricus blazei

Click here to view the NIH-sponsored study that used Atlas World USA's exclusive strain of Agaricus blazei. The results from this research is published in Pharmaceutical Biology (2005, Vol. 43, No.6, pp. 568-572).

Agaricus blazei and the Immune System

A human clinical trial with 100 people showed Agaricus blazei enhanced NK cell activity.[ref] An animal research study showed Agaricus blazei enhanced T-cell production in the spleen.[ref] Beta-glucans, which occur naturally in Agaricus blazei, have previously demonstrated ability to enhance the activity of NK cells, macrophage, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes.[ref][ref][ref]

Animal research has shown Agaricus blazei may enhance the production of the following immune system proteins, Interferon-alpha and Interferon-beta,[ref] Interferon-gamma,[ref] Interleukin-6,[ref] Interleukin-12,[ref] Interleukin-18,[ref] TNF-alpha.[ref] Reserach conducted on cells has shown Agaricus blazei may enhance the production of the following immune system proteins, Interferon-gamma,[ref] Interleukin-1,[ref][ref] Interleukin-8,[ref] Interleukin-12,[ref] TNF-alpha,[ref] CD80 and CD86,[ref] TLR2, CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL3.[ref]

Agaricus blazei and Abnormal Cell Development

Animal research has shown Agaricus blazei may inhibit the growth and/or movement of abnormal cells of the skin,[ref] prostate,[ref] ovaries,[ref] lungs,[ref] fibroblasts,[ref] blood,[ref][ref] and of connective tissue cells.[ref][ref][ref] Reserach conducted on cells, has shown Agaricus blazei may inhibit the growth and/or movement of abnormal cells of the liver,[ref] stomach,[ref] prostate,[ref] ovaries,[ref] lungs,[ref] blood,[ref][ref][ref] and fibroblasts.[ref]

Agaricus blazei Clinical Studies

• Ahn WS, Kim DJ, Chae GT (2004) "Natural killer cell activity and quality of life were improved by consumption of a mushroom extract, Agaricus blazei Murill Kyowa, in gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.", Int J Gynecol Cancer. 14 (4):589-94. Click here to review paper.
• Fortes RC, Novaes MR, Recôva VL, Melo AL. (2009) "Immunological, hematological, and glycemia effects of dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus on patients' colorectal cancer." Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 234 (1): 53-62. Click here to review paper.
• See D, Mason S, Roshan R. (2002) "Increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and natural killer cell (NK) function using an integrative approach in late stage cancers." Immunol Invest. 31(2): 137-53. Click here to review paper.
• Hsu CH, Liao YL, Lin SC (2007) "The mushroom Agaricus Blazei Murill in combination with metformin and gliclazide improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial." J Altern Complement Med. 13 (1): 97-102. Click here to review paper.
• Liu Y, Fukuwatari Y, Okumura K (2008), "Immunomodulating Activity of Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 in Mice and in Human Volunteers.", Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 5(2): 205-219, PMID 18604247 Click here to review paper.

Documentation of the wide-spread use of Agaricus blazei

• The introduction of this research paper, estimates 500,000 people use Agaricus blazei. Takaku T, Kimura Y, Okuda H (May 2001), "Isolation of an antitumor compound from Agaricus blazei Murill and its mechanism of action", J Nutr (American Society of Nutritional Sciences) 131 (5): 1409-1413. Click here to review paper.
• According to this nationwide survey, Agaricus blazei is the most used mushroom health supplement in Japan, outpacing the Shiitake isolate AHCC by a factor of 7:1. Ichinosuke Hyodo, Noriko Amano (2005) "Nationwide Survey on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Patients in Japan.", Journal of Clinical Oncology 23 (12): 2645-54. Click here to review paper.

Agaricus blazei Safety demonstrated by Research

• Lee IP, Kang BH, Roh JK, Kim JR (January 2008), "Lack of carcinogenicity of lyophilized Agaricus blazei Murill in a F344 rat two year bioassay.", Food Chem Toxicol (New York: Pergamon) 46 (1): 87-95, doi:10.1016/j.fct.2007.07.001, PMID 17707568 Click here to review paper.
• Martins de Oliveira J, Jordão BQ, Ribeiro LR, Ferreira da Eira A, Mantovani MS (December 2002), "Anti-genotoxic effect of aqueous extracts of sun mushroom (Agaricus blazei Murill lineage 99/26) in mammalian cells in vitro", Food Chem Toxicol (New York: Pergamon) 40 (12): 1775-1780, doi:10.1016/S0278-6915(02)00156-4, PMID 12419691 Click here to review paper.
• Bellini MF, Giacomini NL, Eira AF, Ribeiro LR, Mantovani MS (August 2003), "Anticlastogenic effect of aqueous extracts of Agaricus blazei on CHO-k1 cells, studying different developmental phases of the mushroom", Toxicol in Vitro (Oxford; New York: Pergamon) 17 (4): 465-9, doi:10.1016/S0887-2333(03)00043-2, OCLC 13144158, PMID 12849730 Click here to review paper.

Agaricus blazei limits damage from Radiation and Mutagens

• Kubo N, Myojin Y, Shimamoto F, Kashimoto N, Kyo E, Kamiya K, Watanabe H (March 2005), "Protective effects of a water-soluble extract from cultured medium of Ganoderma lucidum (Rei-shi) mycelia and Agaricus blazei murill against X-irradiation in B6C3F1 mice: Increased small intestinal crypt survival and prolongation of average time to animal death", Int J Mol Med (Athens: D.A. Spandidos) 15 (3): 401-406, OCLC 39728400, PMID 15702228 Click here to review paper.
• Luiz RC, Jordão BQ, da Eira AF, Ribeiro LR, Mantovani MS (25 July 2003), "Mechanism of anticlastogenicity of Agaricus blazei Murill mushroom organic extracts in wild type CHO (K(1)) and repair deficient (xrs5) cells by chromosome aberration and sister chromatid exchange assays", Mutat Res (Amsterdam: Elsevier) 528 (1-2): 75-79, OCLC 1590350, PMID 12873725 Click here to review paper.

Agaricus blazei supports Healthy Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels

• Hsu CH, Liao YL, Lin SC, Hwang KC, Chou P. (January-February 2007), "The mushroom Agaricus Blazei Murill in combination with metformin and gliclazide improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.", J Altern Complement Med. 13 (1): 97-102, PMID 17309383 Click here to review paper.
• Fortes RC, Novaes MR, Recôva VL, Melo AL. (January 2009), "Immunological, hematological, and glycemia effects of dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus on patients' colorectal cancer.", Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 234 (1): 53-62, doi:10.3181/0806-RM-193, PMID 18997106 Click here to review paper.
• Liu Y, Fukuwatari Y, Okumura K (2008), "Immunomodulating Activity of Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 in Mice and in Human Volunteers.", Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 5(2): 205-219, PMID 18604247 Click here to review paper.

Agaricus blazei bolsters the Immune Response

• Chen L, Shao HJ, Su YB (March 2004), "Coimmunization of Agaricus blazei Murill extract with hepatitis B virus core protein through DNA vaccine enhances cellular and humoral immune responses", Int Immunopharmacol 4 (3): 403-409, doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2003.12.015, PMID 15037217 Click here to review paper.
• Chen L, Shao H (15 January 2006), "Extract from Agaricus blazei Murill can enhance immune responses elicited by DNA vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease", Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 109 (1-2): 177-182, doi:10.1016/j.vetimm.2005.08.028, PMID 16213597 Click here to review paper.

Agaricus blazei contains Antioxidants and Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)

• W. J. Jang S. W. Hyung, "Production of natural c9,t11 conjugated linoleic acid (c9,t11 CLA) by submerged liquid culture of mushrooms", Division of Applied Life Science (BK21), Graduate School, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, South Korea. Click here to review paper.
• Oliveira OM, Vellosa JC Fitoterapia. 2007 Apr;78(3):263-4. (2007) "Antioxidant activity of Agaricus blazei." Unesp, Sao Paulo State University, Biochemistry and Technology Chemistry Department, Instituto de Química, Araraquara-SP, Brazil. Click here to review paper.

Agaricus blazei contains Anti-Angiogenic* Compounds

(*Angiogenesis describes the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. The process is normal, and is vital for growth and development. However, it is also a recognized, fundamental step, in which unhealthy cells gain access to nutrients to grow. The American scientist, Judah Folkman, established this concept, which has since gained wide acceptance in the scientific communtiy.)

• Niu YC, Liu JC, Zhao XM, Wu XX, (2009), "A low molecular weight polysaccharide isolated from Agaricus blazei suppresses tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo" Oncol. Rep. 21 (1): 145-52 PMID 19082455. Click here to review paper.
• Kimura Y, Kido T, Takaku T, Sumiyoshi M, Baba K, (2004) "Isolation of an anti-agiogenic substance from Agaricus blazei Murill: its antitumor and antimetastatic actions" Cancer Sci. 95 (9):758-64 PMID 15471563. Click here to review paper.

Mechanism of action for Agaricus blazei Induced Apoptosis

Click here to view research indicating Agaricus blazei may shut down certain unhealthy cells through a specialized process known as apoptosis. This diagram shows the specific proteins that Agaricus blazei activated to induce apoptosis.[ref][ref][ref]

Notable case report published concerning Agaricus blazei

Click here to view a documented case report of Agaricus blazei use.