Maitake Medicinal Mushroom And Gastric Cancer

Maitake Medicinal Mushroom And Gastric Cancer AUTHOR BRIDGET GREENWOOD maitake medicinal mushroom Scientists from Tottori University in Japan tested extracts of the medicinal mushroom Maitake on human gastric cancer cell lines, hoping to prove the mushroom has anti-tumor effects. Results were promising. Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, has a poor prognosis. In the US, the 5-year survival rate is about 27%. However, this is partly due to the fact that most stomach cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. As with all cancers, early detection leads to a much greater chance of successful treatment, or even cure. Gastric cancer is treated by surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy. The type of treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. While chemotherapy often has successful results, it can also have severe side effects which impact on quality of life. Improved treatments are continually being developed. Medicinal mushrooms are currently being researched for their anti-cancer properties. Maitake—also known as Grifola frondosa—contains several powerful bioactive compounds, which have already proved to have a significant therapeutic potential. This mushroom, already a popular culinary mushroom, is a potent source of polysaccharides. These chain molecules can affect other cells, including cancer cells. Can Maitake induce apoptosis? Happy Woman 150x150 Maitake Medicinal Mushroom And Gastric Cancer This study can make you smile if you have gastric cancer: Maitake extract can help! Researchers Shomori K, Yamamoto M, et al, from Tottori University’s Department of Microbiology and Pathology, in Japan, investigated the effects of water-soluble extract of Maitake. They tested the Maitake extracts on four human gastric cancer cell lines. The cancer cells were all affected by the maitake extract in a time-dependent manner. One type of cancer cell, the TNK-1 cell, showed a 90% inhibition after three days of treatment. The Maitake extract inhibited the proliferation of the cancer cells, and also induced programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, in the cancer cells. The researchers concluded that Maitake extracts have potential antitumor effects on gastric cancer. Please go to this site to order Ganolife Gourmet Coffee enriched with Ganoderma, www.ganolifevo.com/wwammcafe.

Maitake — Grifola Frondosa — Improves Chemotherapy

Maitake — Grifola Frondosa — Improves Chemotherapy AUTHOR BRIDGET GREENWOOD medicinal mushrooms and cancer The medicinal mushroom maitake has already been proved to contain several powerful bioactive compounds. A Japanese study investigated the D-fraction extracted from maitake, and found that maitake also improves a chemotherapy drug. Could maitake be used to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in the future? There have been many clinical trials evaluating the powerful effects of medicinal mushrooms. Maitake, also known as Grifola frondosa, has been part of the traditional medicine kit for centuries. Maitake is a popular culinary as well as medicinal mushroom, and contains a variety of bioactive compounds which improve heart health, lower blood glucose levels, and even kill cancer cells. Researchers are therefore seeking to develop new treatments from this ancient medicine. Improvements in cancer treatments is a key goal for many research scientists. Cancer is often treated with chemotherapy, strong drugs which target rapidly proliferating cells, such as cancer cells. However, the chemotherapy drugs also target healthy yet rapidly-growing cells. This is why some chemotherapy treatments cause hair loss, because hair cells grow very rapidly. While in many cases chemotherapy is a successful treatment, curing or caging the cancer, the severe side effects can reduce quality of life. Researchers with Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Kobe, Japan, developed an animal study to see if maitake extracts would be able to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. They hoped this could lead to cancer patients being given lower doses of chemotherapy, with the same anti-cancer results. Animal study proves maitake improves chemotherapy tumor 150x150 Maitake Grifola Frondosa Improves Chemotherapy Maitake medicinal mushroom may complement chemotherapy with cancer care Researchers Kodama N, Murata Y, et al, used D-Fraction, a polysaccharide extracted from maitake. They tested the maitake along with an existing chemotherapy drug, mitomycin-C, on mice with cancer tumors. Results showed that a combination of reduced doses chemotherapy drug along with maitake still had an effective anti-cancer effect. The maitake improved the effectiveness of the animals’ own immune system, leading to a much-improved result. The study concluded that maitake could become a potential clinical benefit for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Please go to this site to order Ganolife Gourmet Coffee enriched with Ganoderma, www.ganolifevo.com/wwammcafe.

Medicinal Mushroom Maitake Causes Cell Death In Prostate Cancer

Medicinal Mushroom Maitake Causes Cell Death In Prostate Cancer AUTHOR BRIDGET GREENWOOD maitake causes cancer cell deat A study published in Molecular Urology found evidence that extracts of the versatile medicinal mushroom Maitake can induce programmed cell death in prostate cancer cells in vitro. The medicinal mushroom Maitake (also known as Grifola frondosa) has been the subject of many scientific trials. This powerful natural medicine was a staple of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, taken to enhance the immune system and for heart health. And Maitake is now becoming a valuable weapon in the war on cancer. There have been many studies analyzing Maitake’s effect on cancer cells. A promising field of research is the effect Maitake has on prostate cancer cells. Other studies have been published highlighting Maitake’s antitumor properties. Researchers (Fullerton SA, Samadi AA, et al) from New York Medical College’s Department of Urology (USA) investigated Maitake polysaccharides known as beta-glucans. They hoped to find the Maitake extracts would have anti-tumor effects. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers for men—second only to skin cancer. And it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, according to the American Cancer Society. However, early detection means the cancer can often be treated, and new therapies are continually being researched. Maitake polysaccharide induced prostate cancer cell death researcher 150x150 Medicinal Mushroom Maitake Causes Cell Death In Prostate Cancer Beta glucan from Maitake Medicinal Mushroom Induces Prostate Cancer Cell Death The researchers used highly purified beta-glucan preparations of the Maitake extract. Varying concentrations of these beta-glucans—known as Grifron-D(R)—were tested on human prostate cancer cells. The Maitake extracts were also tested in combination with vitamin C, and in combination with various anti-cancer drugs. Remarkably, a dose-response study showed that almost complete cancer cell death (more than 95%) was reach in just one day with higher doses of Grifron-D, i.e. beta glucan extract from Maitake. The researchers concluded that the bioactive beta-glucans from Maitake medicinal mushrooms have a cytotoxic effect, destroying the prostate cancer cells by inducing programmed cell death. Perhaps in the future these Maitake polysaccharides will become part of a new drug treatment for prostate cancer. Please go to this site to order Ganolife Gourmet Coffee enriched with Ganoderma, www.ganolifevo.com/wwammcafe.

Maitake Medicinal Mushroom – New Breast Cancer Treatment?

Maitake Medicinal Mushroom – New Breast Cancer Treatment? AUTHOR BRIDGET GREENWOOD maitake The powerful bioactive compounds from the medicinal mushroom Maitake—also known as Grifola frondosa or “dancing mushroom”—are being investigated for their anti-cancer potential. Could extracts of Maitake become part of the treatment for breast cancer in the future? Many people worldwide have lost a loved one to breast cancer. This cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and cases are increasing. As with most cancers, early detection of breast cancer is crucial to improve prognosis. While breast cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the treatments can have severe side effects which greatly reduce quality of life. Chemotherapy drugs can cause nausea and vomiting, for instance. Many people are turning to medicinal mushrooms to help fight the side effects of chemotherapy. But can medicinal mushrooms also help target the cancer cells directly? Researchers Alonso EN, Orozco M, et al, with the National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Buenos Aires, Argentina, developed a study into the D-Fraction of Maitake medicinal mushrooms. Maitake: fights breast cancer tumors in in vitro study Maitake is a common perennial fungus, which has long been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to enhance the immune system. Maitake is rich in minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. It also contains many powerful compounds known as polysaccharides. The D-Fraction extracted from the mushroom is already proven to stimulate the immune system. In this study, Maitake was tested on human breast cancer cells in vitro. Results were promising. The breast cancer cells were suppressed by the Maitake in a dose-dependent manner. The mushroom modified the expression of specific genes, which resulted in an increase in cancer cell death—apoptosis. The medicinal mushroom extracts also inhibited cancer cell growth and proliferation, which are essential parts of any cancer treatment. The researchers concluded that Maitake D-Fraction could indeed become a potential new target for breast cancer treatment. Please go to this site to order Ganolife Gourmet Coffee enriched with Ganoderma, www.ganolifevo.com/wwammcafe.

Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps Militaris – Future Breast Cancer Treatment?

Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps Militaris – Future Breast Cancer Treatment? AUTHOR BRIDGET GREENWOOD maitake An animal study using extracts from the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris to treat breast cancer tumors has found very promising results. Could this useful fungus become part of anti-cancer treatments in the future? The popular medicinal mushroom Cordyceps has been the subject of many scientific investigations. Long used in traditional Chinese medicines, the mushroom is now being tested for its possible role in cancer treatments, perhaps as part of additional therapies. Cordyceps Sinensis is probably the most well known member of the Cordyceps gamily, but Cordyceps militaris also contains essential bioactive compounds. Cordycepin is the main functional component of Cordyceps. Cordycepin has several pharmacological effects, including stimulating the immune system. Cordycepin was originally derived from the medicinal mushroom, but can now also be produced synthetically. Cordyceps animal study: can cordycepin reduce tumors? A study was developed by researchers (Jeong MH, Lee CM, et al) from the Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea. They wanted to investigate the possible anti tumor effects of Cordyceps militaris. Conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, while often effective, may have harsh side-effects which can reduce the patient’s quality of life. Improvements are therefore continually under investigation. Medicinal mushrooms are a popular source of study, as they are non-toxic and also contain active biological compounds which would improve cancer treatments. This Korean animal study investigated wild Cordyceps militaris and also cordycepin-enriched Cordyceps. They were given added to the diets of mice with breast cancer, to see if the medicinal mushroom would help reduce tumor growth. Dietary administration of Cordyceps militaris had a significant effect. Tumor growth was delayed, and the survival rates of the tumor-bearing mice were increased. The best result was found with the cordycepin-enriched Cordyceps militaris. The researchers hope that in time, and after more scientific studies, cordycepin-enriched Cordyceps militaris will become part of cancer immunotherapy. Please go to this site to order Ganolife Gourmet Coffee enriched with Ganoderma, www.ganolifevo.com/wwammcafe.

Medicinal Mushrooms and Lung Cancer

Medicinal Mushrooms and Lung Cancer AUTHOR SHARON CORNET medicinal mushrooms My other grandfather died of lung cancer when I was 10 years old despite having quit smoking for the last 20 years of his life. I was happy for the memories I still have of him from my youth but often wondered what it would have been like to have him around longer. Thanks to medicinal mushrooms like Cordyceps, Trametes versicolor, and others, people with lung cancer may have a better chance at survival. Cordyceps medicinal mushrooms for lung cancer According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cordyceps medicinal mushrooms are used for fatigue, sexual dysfunction, coughs, to stimulate the immune system, and also for lung cancer. According to the in vitro animals studies Cordyceps medicinal mushrooms “show antitumor, radioprotective, and antidiabetic effects. In addition, cordyceps enhances recovery of mice with taxol-induced leukopenia and increases the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer cells.” Trametes versicolor medicinal mushrooms for cancers Says the Anti-Cancer Therapies section of the A Guide to Integrative Oncology for Clinicians at the University of Washington website, extracts from medicinal mushrooms have shown promise for lung cancer, among other types of cancer. In particular, the medicinal mushrooms “Trametes versicolor (T. versicolor), also known as Coriolus versicolor or Polyporus versicolor” were examined in clinical trials using active fractions of the mushrooms (namely PSK/PSP) and published in Korea and Japan. The studies suggest that “T. versicolor polysaccharide-peptide constituents improve disease-free and overall survival in several different types of cancer, including stomach, esophagus, lung, colorectal, prostate, and breast adenocarcinomas. In Japan, PSK is a therapy prescribed to cancer patients routinely…” Medicinal mushrooms for cancer and other health benefits Medicinal mushrooms have tremendously powerful effects that go beyond just being able to help lung cancer. The mushrooms are anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, hypocholesterolemic, immunomodulatory (boosts the immune system), anti-microbial, and are nephroprotective (protects kidneys from harm). According to what was published by 3 Biotech (2012 March), “The mushrooms credited with success against cancer belong to the genus Phellinus, Pleurotus, Agaricus, Ganoderma, Clitocybe, Antrodia, Trametes, Cordyceps, Xerocomus, Calvatia, Schizophyllum, Flammulina, Suillus, Inonotus, Inocybe, Funlia, Lactarius, Albatrellus, Russula, and Fomes.” If only my grandfather had known about medicinal mushrooms like Cordyceps, Trametes versicolor, and other medicinal mushrooms, perhaps his life would have been lengthened. Perhaps it will help someone else today. Please go to this site to order Ganolife Gourmet Coffee enriched with Ganoderma, www.ganolifevo.com/wwammcafe.

Colon Cancer and Reishi

Colon Cancer and Reishi AUTHOR CELIA LEUNG reishi medicinal mushroom and colon cancer Colon cancer, also known as colorectal or bowel cancer is a cancer that originates from uncontrolled cell growth in the colon, rectum or appendix. It is believed to be the fourth most common cause of cancer death, with over a million individuals being diagnosed annually worldwide. Symptoms usually include rectal bleeding, decrease in number of red blood cells, weight loss and changes in bowel movement. Treatment options for colon cancer can include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or radiofrequency ablation. But in a recent study conducted by Hunan Agricultural University in China, researchers set out to examine the treatment potential of Reishi medicinal mushroom for colon cancer cells. Reishi, also known as Lingzhi mushroom and Ganoderma Lucidum, is one of the oldest medicinal mushrooms since it has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 2,000 years. It is believed that reishi medicinal mushrooms have antitumor and anti-cancer properties. Previous research suggests they also help enhance immune system functioning, reduce feelings of depression, lowers blood pressure, and treats hepatitis, bronchitis and bronchial asthma. The Effects of Reishi Polysaccharides on Colon Cancer Cells For the experiment researchers Zengenni Liang, Yu-Tong Guo, You-Jin Yi, Ren-Cai Wang, Qiu-Long Hu and Xing-Yao Xiong isolated extracts from Reishi medicinal mushroom called GLP (Ganoderma lucidumpolysaccharides). They tested the reishi extracts on human colon cancer cells and measured its anticancer effects using various assays and observations on wound-healing. A control group of untreated cells were also used as a comparison. Cell apoptosis (programmed cell death) induced by Reishi was also observed on the colon cancer cells. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that reishi extracts exhibited a dose and time-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human colon cancer cells in their experiment. In particular, they observed that Ganoderma lucidumpolysaccharides helped suppress cell growth and migration of human colon cancer cells. Another observation the researchers made was that reishi polysaccharides induced apoptosis by promoting the release of lactate dehydrogenase and increased intracellular calcium levels. Based on these results, the researchers believe that reishi extracts can be a beneficial, nontoxic form of treatment for colon cancer. Please check with your doctor before taking any mushroom supplements. Do not discontinue or make changes to your medication without consulting with your physician first! The author of this story is a staff writer for National Nutraceuticals’ online news portals, such as Amino Acid Information Center athttp://www.aminoacidinformation.com.