Active constituents beta(1-3),(1-6)D-glucans

View detailed beta-D-glucan diagram1

Agaricus Blazei is a native mushroom of Brazil in South America. It became an instant star in the 1990s when Japanese researchers first identified the anti-tumour properties of this medicinal mushroom.

Pharmacological and clinical research

The active constituents found in Agaricus Blazei polysaccharides are beta-glucans (beta-(1-3)-D-glucan, beta-(1-4)-a-D-glucan & beta-(1-6)-D-glucan).

The basic beta-D-glucan is a repeating structure with the D-glucose units joined together in chains by beta-bonds.

These beta-glucans are the key to Agaricus Blazei's immune stimulating properties because immune reaction is mediated through beta-glucans receptors found on neutrophils,2 monocytes or macrophages,3 NK cells,4 and T and B lymphocytes5.

Not all beta-D-glucans contained in the mushroom exhibit anti-tumour activity. The extent seems to be influenced by solubility in water, size of molecules, and the beta-(1-6)-bonding system in the beta-(1-3) major chain.

In recent Japanese animal studies on the anti-cancer effects of various medicinal mushrooms, Agaricus Blazei produced the best result6. Its greater immune-stimulating effects can be attributed to the higher molecular weight beta-glucans that Agaricus Blazei contains.

Always seek medical advice

Information provided on this website is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified medical practitioner. For information about medical conditions please consult your doctor.

Agaricus Blazei original research As the leader in standardised mushroom extracts we believe passionately in sharing information from the growing body of published research on medicinal mushrooms. This is for education purposes only and Mycopharma® cannot and does not vouch for the accuracy of independent research. To make your own informed decisions please refer to the original published research about Agaricus Blazei.