Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus Possible Treatment for Colon Cancer

Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus Possible Treatment for Colon Cancer AUTHOR BRIDGET GREENWOOD medicinal mushrooms and beta glucan The popular culinary and medicinal oyster mushroom is classified in the genus Pleurotus. A European study reports that Pleurotus extracts have been tested on human colon cancer cells, with positive results. Medicinal mushrooms, used for centuries in traditional medicine, are now being analyzed for use in modern medicine. Medicinal mushrooms contain powerful bioactive compounds, and have indeed been the source of several medicines. For example, the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps is the source of the organ transplant drug cyclosporin. The oyster mushroom Pleurotus, too, is undergoing research. It is already known to contain lovastatin, which reduces cholesterol and lowers the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Pleurotus improves the immune system. And Pleurotus is now being investigated for its potential anti cancer effects. A study in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms examined cold water extracts of Pleurotus on human colon cancer cells. Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer in North America, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death for men and women combined. As with all cancers, early detection has a better prognosis. Colon cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Researchers are continually developing studies to test new and improved treatments. Would Pleurotus extracts improve the treatment of colon cancer? Researchers Fontana S, Schillaci O, et al, from the University of Palermo, Italy, published their results. Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus has antitumor effects on colon cancer Palermo 300x199 Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus Possible Treatment for Colon Cancer Pleurotus mushroom may have antitumor effects on colon cancer: Palermo, Italy study The study results were promising. In the lab, colon cancer cells were treated with cold-water extracts of Pleurotus. The researchers concluded that these extracts of Pleurotus could be potential sources for new anti cancer treatments.