Maitake, supplied to US customers by the Tradeworks Group, has been extensively investigated for a number of properties, including its anti-cancer activity.In a study led by Dr Hiroaki Nanba of Kobe Pharmaceutical University, published in Altern Med Rev 2002;7(3):236-239, researchers demonstrated that maitake powder and its advanced extract, MD Fraction, enhanced immune-competent cell activity, helping to fight cancer.
Cancer regression or significant symptom improvement was observed in 58.3 per cent of liver cancer patients, 68.8 per cent of breast cancer patients, and 62.5 per cent of lung cancer patients. Furthermore, when maitake was taken in addition to chemotherapy, immune-competent cell activities were enhanced 1.2-1.4 times, compared with chemotherapy alone.
The polysaccharides such as the beta glucans found in high quantities in maitake and a number of medicinal mushrooms are increasingly being recognised as potent anti-viral and anti-tumour agents, not by killing viruses or cancer cells directly but by stimulating the body's innate ability to marshal cellular defences.
Normally reserved for research on pharmaceuticals, an Investigational New Drug number (IND) has been granted for the government-funded trial. This demonstrates its safety, purity, manufacturing processes and facilities and documents that the substance will not expose humans to an unreasonable risk when used in early-stage clinical trials.
Peter McNeary, Tradeworks Group President said: "We at Tradeworks are very proud that our product, MaitakeGold 404 was selected exclusively for the trial due to its outstanding research credentials, safety data and bioactivity."
The study has recently commenced and will take place over the course of the next three years.
MaitakeGold 404 has proven to be a highly active immunomodulator even in very low doses. In vivo research carried out by immunology specialist Dr Vaclav Vetvicka, found that it stimulated the immune system mainly through its action on cellular immunity.
The maitake mushroom has also been hailed for its benefits to blood pressure and normal cholesterol support. New Jersey-based Maitake Products has developed an active fraction of maitake, called SX-Fraction, which is said to have a more potent ability to enhance insulin sensitivity for controlling blood sugar levels and lower high blood pressure than the standard mushroom extract.
While the role of medicinal mushrooms in cellular and immune health is strong, one of the challenges with medicinal mushrooms is that many of them lose much of their effectiveness when taken orally. A number of studies suggest that maitake is one of the most effective of the medicinal mushrooms when taken orally.