Agaricus Extract Research Summary
Although originating in the wild from fields northwest of Sao Paolo, Brazil, the cultivation of Agaricus blazei as a medicinal mushroom was originated in 1993 by Japanese mycologists.
As with most medicinal mushrooms, the primary focus of research on Agaricus extract has been on its anti-tumoral properties. Results are promising, particularly in regard to uterocervical cancers. [25]
One study reported that Agaricus extract contained a higher level of beta glucans than any other medicinal mushroom. So while not included in this article, it may be worthwhile to also look into beta glucan related research. [25]
Testing on cancer cells in laboratories (in vitro) have yielded mostly negative results, while testing on live subjects (in vivo) has been very positive. This indicates that the medicinal compounds in Agaricus extract work by stimulating the immune system of the patient rather than directly attacking mutated cancer cells. [135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140]
In fact, one Japanese study from 2002 showed that when stimulated by Agaricus extract, macrophages would deliver a two punch knockout to cancer cells. (Macrophages are a type of white blood cells.) Eight hours after taking Agaricus extract, the patient's macrophages excreted a cancer killing compound known as alpha tumor necrosis factor. Then four hours after that, the same macrophages excreted another compound specifically targeted to finish off the now weakened cancer cells. [141]
Another specific cancer related effect of Agaricus extract is that it inhibits the enzyme aromatase, which is associated with the development of breast cancer. [142]
Alcohol and water extracts of Agaricus blazei mycelium ("roots") are both rich in potential medicinal compounds. [143, 25]
The immune enhancing properties of Agaricus extract may also make it useful against other diseases. E.g. a study on Agaricus blazei against salmonella reported positive results. [144]
Finally a few words of caution: One test in 2003 showed that Agaricus blazei grown in China contained a significantly larger amount of cadmium than Agaricus grown in the United States. [145]
The second caution is that, even though Agaricus blazei shows great cancer-fighting potential, it also contains carcinogenic compounds known as agaritines. (The agaritine compounds are also found in portobellos, crimini and button mushrooms.)
In 2003, Stijve et al. published a comparative study of agaritines between Agaricus blazei from different sources. The extract of Paul Stamets' Agaricus blazei grown in Washington State contained eighty-fold less of the carcinogenic agaritines than the samples from China, and twenty times less than samples from California. [145]
"Years ago, Paul Stamets ... developed methods that precluded agaritines, and Stijve et al. (2003) published a comparison of commercial products from the US, China, and Japan. All but [Paul Stamets] products contained significant amounts of agaritine." [145]
In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown Agaricus extract to have a beneficial effect: Viruses; Blood Sugar; Cholesterol; Colorectal Cancer; Sarcoma. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner.