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Other common
name(s): maitake D-fraction, maitake, maitake extract,
beta-glucan,
Scientific/medical
name(s): Grifola
frondosa
Description
Maitake is an edible mushroom from the species Grifola
frondosa. Maitake D-fraction® is an
extract of this large
mushroom native to the mountains of northeastern Japan. The maitake
mushroom is eaten as a food, and maitake-D fraction is marketed as a
dietary supplement in the United States and Japan. The substance in the
maitake mushroom is thought to be active in humans and is called
beta-glucan.
Overview
Research has shown that maitake D-fraction has effects on the
immune system in animal and laboratory studies. There is no convincing
clinical evidence to date in available peer-reviewed medical journals
reporting that the maitake mushroom is effective in treating or
preventing cancer in humans, although some human research is now
underway.
How is it promoted for use?
Promoters claim that maitake mushroom extract boosts the
immune system and limits or reverses tumor growth. It is also said to
enhance the benefits of chemotherapy and lessen some side effects of
anti-cancer drugs, such as hair loss, pain, and nausea.
What does it involve?
Maitake D-fraction is available in liquid extract, tablet, and
capsule in health food stores, although the amount of beta glucan
contained in each form may vary. The usual dosage of dried mushroom is
between 3 and 7 grams daily. Maitake mushrooms are also available in
grocery stores and can be eaten as food or made into tea.
What is the history behind it?
For thousands of years, Asian healers have used certain edible
mushrooms in tonics, soups, teas, prepared foods, and herbal formulas
to promote health and long life. Until recently, the healing properties
of mushrooms have been the subject of folklore only. In the past few
decades, however, researchers in Japan have been studying the medicinal
effects of mushrooms on the immune system, cancer, blood pressure, and
cholesterol levels.
The Japanese word "maitake" means "dancing mushroom" because
people in ancient times were said to dance for joy when they found
these mushrooms, which were literally worth their weight in silver.
Modern research on the maitake mushroom and its D-fraction extract
began in Japan in the mid-1980s and has only recently spread to the
United States.
As of the early 21st century, much has been written about
maitake and its purported magic healing qualities. This has sparked a
great deal of interest in its use for various human illnesses.
What is the evidence?
Maitake mushrooms and the maitake D-fraction prepared from
them contain a type of polysaccharide (a large molecule formed by
multiple sugar molecules linked together), called beta glucan
(sometimes called beta glycan). Beta glucan is found in several
mushrooms, yeasts, and other foods. A polysaccharide is a large and
complex molecule made up of smaller sugar molecules. Beta glucan is
believed to stimulate the immune system and activate certain cells and
proteins that attack cancer, including macrophages, T-cells, natural
killer cells, and interleukin-1 and -2. In laboratory studies, it
appears to slow the growth of cancer in some cell cultures and in mice.
Most of the research on maitake D-fraction has been done in
Japan using an injectable form of the extract. A 1997 study published
in the Annals of the New York Academy of Science found that maitake
D-fraction was able to enhance the immune system and inhibit the spread
of tumors in mice implanted with breast cancer. In a 1995 report
published in the same journal, researchers concluded that maitake
D-fraction was able to activate the immune systems of mice that had
been injected with liver cancer cells. The extract seemed to prevent
the spread of tumors to the liver and prevent the development of cancer
in normal cells. A nonrandomized study of fifteen dogs with lymphoma
did not find any evidence of benefit from the use of maitake extract.
While animal and laboratory studies may show a certain
compound holds promise as a beneficial treatment, further studies are
necessary to determine whether the results apply to humans. In 2002, a
group of Japanese people with different types of cancer were given
maitake D-fraction and maitake powder in addition to standard cancer
treatment. Although the researchers thought some patients showed
improvement, the study did not include a control group. Because of
limitations in the study design, no reliable conclusions can be drawn.
It is impossible to say for certain whether any effect was caused by
the maitake treatments or standard cancer treatments the patients also
received. More scientifically designed studies are needed to determine
maitake's potential usefulness in preventing or treating cancer.
The National Cancer Institute is sponsoring a very early
(Phase I) study at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to learn
whether beta glucan can increase the effectiveness of rituximab (a drug
used for treating some types of lymphoma and leukemia) by increasing
cancer cells' sensitivity to it. This clinical trial is studying the
side effects and best dose of beta glucan when given with rituximab. It
will look at young patients with relapsed or progressive lymphoma,
leukemia, or similar disorders.
In another clinical trial, beta glucan is being tested
together with other drugs to learn whether they increase the
effectiveness of a monoclonal antibody (3F8). Combining different types
of biological therapy may kill more tumor cells. This is a small open
label trial (so called because both patients and researchers know which
treatment is being administered) in patients with neuroblastoma that
has not responded to treatment. A trial of maitake extract as treatment
for breast cancer is also in progress.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United
States. Unlike drugs (which must be tested before being allowed to be
sold), the companies that make supplements are not required to prove to
the Food and Drug Administration that their supplements are safe or
effective, as long as they don't claim the supplements can prevent,
treat, or cure any specific disease.
Some such products may not
contain the amount of the herb or
substance that is written on the label, and some may include other
substances (contaminants). Actual amounts per dose may vary between
brands or even between different batches of the same brand.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they
interact with medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even
though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be
published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often
available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects
and interactions below should be considered incomplete.
The maitake mushroom itself has been used as food for
centuries and is generally presumed to be safe. So far, studies have
not shown any adverse effects from maitake D-fraction or beta glucan,
but human studies of their effectiveness in treating cancer have not
yet been completed.
In animal studies, beta glucans of the type in maitake
mushrooms lowered blood sugar and should be used with caution in people
with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or those who are on medicines to
reduce or control blood sugar. Beta glucans also reduced blood pressure
in animals and may have a similar effect in people. Additional studies
are needed to find out whether these effects occur in humans.
Allergies to many types of mushrooms, including maitake, have
been reported. Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Cunningham-Rundles S, Lin H, Cassileth B. Are Botanical
Glucans Effective in Enhancing Tumoricidal Cell Activity? American
Society for Nutrition. J.
Nutr. 2005. 135: 2919S.
Griessmayr PC, Gauthier M, Barber LG, Cotter SM.
Mushroom-derived maitake PETfraction as single agent for the treatment
of lymphoma in dogs. J
Vet Intern Med. 2007;21:1409-1412.
Hong F, Yan J, Baran JT, et al. Mechanism by which orally
administered beta-1,3-glucans enhance the tumoricidal activity of
antitumor monoclonal antibodies in murine tumor models. J Immunol.
2004;173:797-806.
Ko YT, Lin YL. 1,3-beta-glucan quantification by a
fluorescence microassay and analysis of its distribution in foods. J
Agric Food Chem. 2004; 252:3313-3318.
Kodama N, Komuta K, Nanba H. Can maitake MD-fraction aid
cancer patients? Altern
Med Rev. 2002; 7:451.
Kodama N, Murata Y, Asakawa A, et al. Maitake D-Fraction
enhances antitumor effects and reduces immunosuppression by mitomycin-C
in tumor-bearing mice. Nutrition.
2005; 21:624-629.
Konno S. Potential growth inhibitory effect of maitake
D-fraction on canine cancer cells. Vet
Ther. 2004; 5:263-271.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute. Maitake. Accessed
at: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69294.cfm on June 10, 2008.
Nanba H. Activity of maitake D-fraction to inhibit
carcinogenesis and metastasis. Ann
NY Acad Sci. 1995;768:243-245.
Nanba H, Kubo K. Effect of maitake D-fraction on cancer
prevention. Ann NY Acad
Sci. 1997;833:204-207.
National Institutes of Health. Available at:
www.clinicaltrials.gov. Accessed August 11, 2005.
PDR Health. Maitake. Accessed at:
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/herbaldrugs/101810.shtml
on June 10, 2008.
Talpur NA, Echard BW, Fan AY, Antihypertensive and metabolic
effects of whole Maitake mushroom powder and its fractions in two rat
strains. Mol Cell
Biochem. 2002;237129-237136.
Tanaka H, Tsunematsu K, Nakamura N, et al. Successful
treatment of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by Grifola frondosa
(Maitake) mushroom using a HFA-BDP extra-fine aerosol. Intern Med.
2004;43:737-740.
US National Institutes of Health. Beta-glucan and monoclonal
antibody 3F8 in treating patients with metastatic neuroblastoma.
Accessed at: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00492167 on
September 8, 2008.
US National Institutes of Health. Beta-glucan and rituximab in
treating young patients with relapsed or progressive lymphoma or
leukemia, or lymphoproliferative disorder related to donor stem cell
transplantation. Accessed at:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00087009 on September 8,
2008.
Note:
This
information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions,
precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as
medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical
situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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