Agaricus blazei

Agaricus blazei, also known as the almond mushroom or sun mushroom, is an edible mushroom native to Brazil that became known in Japan and the USA in the 1960s for its potential medicinal properties. In traditional Brazilian medicine, this mushroom is valued for its supposed immune-strengthening and health-promoting effects. It belongs to the genus Agaricus, which includes numerous edible species.

What health benefits can Agaricus blazei offer? In alternative medicine, Agaricus blazei is valued for its numerous potential health benefits, which are attributed to its bioactive constituents. The body of research suggests that the mushroom could be associated with a range of effects. The findings are results from human and animal studies:

  • Immunomodulation and cancer prevention: The most frequently studied property of Agaricus blazei is its potential ability to modulate the immune system and inhibit the growth of tumors. Various studies suggest that the beta-glucans contained in the mushroom can promote the activity of macrophages and natural killer cells, which could potentially make it better able to act against tumor cells and infections. Some research also suggests that the mushroom might reduce the risk of certain types of cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting the apoptosis of cancer cells (1,2,3).
  • Antioxidant effect: In addition to its immunomodulating properties, Agaricus blazei also contains antioxidants that help to reduce oxidative stress and combat damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress is linked to numerous chronic diseases, including heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and premature aging (2,4,5).
  • Blood sugar and cholesterol regulation: Some studies indicate that Agaricus blazei could help regulate blood sugar levels and cholesterol. This could be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as the mushroom's bioactive compounds may have blood-sugar-lowering and lipid-lowering effects (5,6,7).

How Agaricus blazei works The most important components of the mushroom for its effects are presumably the polysaccharides it contains, in particular beta-glucans, which could play an important role in modulating the immune system.

Medicinal applications: Even though more studies are needed to prove the effects of Agaricus blazei beyond doubt, the mushroom is used in complementary medicine in the form of dietary supplements to strengthen the immune system, promote general health, and possibly reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Agaricus blazei is often taken in the form of capsules, powder, or as an extract, with the exact dosage and formulation varying from product to product.

Safety and side effects: Despite its potential health benefits, Agaricus blazei should be used with caution, especially by people with pre-existing medical conditions. There are reports of side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. People with autoimmune diseases or those taking immunosuppressive medications should consult a doctor before use, as the immune-stimulating properties of the mushroom could be problematic.

Conclusion:

Agaricus blazei is an edible mushroom that was used traditionally in folk medicine and is now gaining increasing importance in alternative medicine due to its potentially immunomodulating and antioxidant properties. While initial scientific studies are promising, further clinical research is required to fully understand its effects and safety.

Sources:

  1. Ahn, W. S., Kim, D. J., Chae, G. T., Lee, J. M., Bae, S. M., Sin, J. I., Kim, Y. W., Namkoong, S. E., & Lee, I. P. (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. International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society, 14(4), 589–594. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1048-891X.2004.14403.x
  2. Hetland, G., Tangen, J. M., Mahmood, F., Mirlashari, M. R., Nissen-Meyer, L. S. H., Nentwich, I., Therkelsen, S. P., Tjønnfjord, G. E., & Johnson, E. (2020). Antitumor, Anti-Inflammatory and Antiallergic Effects of Agaricus blazei Mushroom Extract and the Related Medicinal Basidiomycetes Mushrooms, Hericium erinaceus and Grifolafrondosa: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Nutrients, 12(5), 1339. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051339
  3. Amanda Gollo Bertollo, Maiqueli Eduarda Dama Mingoti, Marcos Eduardo Plissari, Graciele Betti, Walter Antônio Roman Junior, Adriana Remião Luzardo, Zuleide Maria Ignácio, Agaricus blazei Murrill mushroom: A review on the prevention and treatment of cancer, Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine, Volume 2, 2022, 100032, ISSN 2667-1425, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prmcm.2021.100032.
  4. Wei, Q., Zhan, Y., Chen, B., Xie, B., Fang, T., Ravishankar, S., & Jiang, Y. (2019). Assessment of antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of Agaricus blazei Murill extracts. Food science & nutrition, 8(1), 332–339. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1310
  5. Shu-Yao Tsai, Hui-Li Tsai, Jeng-Leun Mau, Antioxidant properties of Agaricus blazei, Agrocybe cylindracea, and Boletus edulis, LWT - Food Science and Technology, Volume 40, Issue 8, 2007, Pages 1392-1402, ISSN 0023-6438, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2006.10.001.
  6. Wei, Z. (2023). Research Progress of Agaricus blazei Polysaccharide on Blood Sugar in Diabetic Patients. International Journal of Biology and Life Sciences, 4(1), 37-40. https://doi.org/10.54097/ijbls.v4i1.11
  7. de Miranda, A. M., Ribeiro, G. M., Cunha, A. C., Silva, L. S., dos Santos, R. C., Pedrosa, M. L., & Silva, M. E. (2014). Hypolipidemic effect of the edible mushroom Agaricus blazei in rats subjected to a hypercholesterolemic diet. Journal of physiology and biochemistry, 70(1), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-013-0295-y
  8. Delmanto, R. D., de Lima, P. L., Sugui, M. M., da Eira, A. F., Salvadori, D. M., Speit, G., & Ribeiro, L. R. (2001). Antimutagenic effect of Agaricus blazei Murrill mushroom on the genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide. Mutation research, 496(1-2), 15–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1383-5718(01)00228-5