COMMON NAME : Shiitake Mycelia extract, lentinus edodes mycelia extract
LATIN NAME : Lentinus edodes
ACTIVE SUBSTANCES : a new peptidomannan, KS-2 a water solubilized lignin derivative, EPS-3
DESCRIPTION : The Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) grows on the trunks or stumps of trees. The extract of shiitake is a fine tan powder.
BIOCHEMISTRY : The proteins contain all of the essential amino acids, and most commonly occurring non-essential amino acids and amides. The fatty acids are largely unsaturated, and shiitake are rich in vitamins and minerals. Key therapeutic substances are glucans, a major constituent of the cell walls. Shiitake yields Lentinan, a beta-1,3-linked glucan polysaccharide with a molecular weight of 1 million.
PHYSIOLOGY : The b-1,3-glucan Lentinan reversed tumor growth when injected in mice. It acts by stimulating the immune system, rather than by direct action on the tumor. Because of its large molecular size, Lentinan is not absorbed efficiently when taken orally, but some is absorbed. Lentinan activates the alternative complement pathway, stimulating the macrophages, thus inhibiting tumor growth. It also may activate interleukin-1 secretion, which helps trigger T lymphocytes. Shiitake is believed to stimulate interferon production. Shiitake significantly inhibited the toxic immunosuppressive effects of cancer drugs such as cyclocy-tidine, when taken with them. Lentinan restores impaired enzyme activity of X-proline-dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase in the serum of mice with tumors. Eritadenine, a purine alkaloid from shiitake, is similar to nucleotides in structure, andlowers cholesterol in animal studies.
