Overview:
First discovered in the temperate rain forest of Taiwan, Antrodia camphorata is one of the most highly valued medicinal mushrooms utilized in traditional Taiwanese folk medicine practices. Unlike the other mushroom species, the fruiting bodies of the Antrodia mushroom typically grow from the surface of a specific tree called “Niu-Chang Wood”, which makes this particular medicinal mushroom extremely to find and harvest from the natural settings. Recent studies indicates that the camphorata mycelia and fruit-body contains a significant amount of beta D-glucan, triterpenoids and lectin (1), which result in its application supporting liver (2), urinary (3), breast (4), and general immune health.
Active Constituents
The Antrodia mushroom contains beta-D-glucan, triterpenoids, and lectin which helps promote healthy cholesterol levels (5), normal circulation (6), and maintain a normal immune response (7).
Pharmacological and Clinical Research: Original Research on Antrodia camphorata
References:
1. Sung et al., Cultivating conditions influence exopolysaccharide production by the edible Basidiomycete Antrodia cinnamomea in submerged culture., Int J Food Microbiol. 2006 Apr 25;108(2):182-7.
2. Chen et al., Fruiting body of Niuchangchih (Antrodia camphorata) protects livers against chronic alcohol consumption damage., J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Mar 24;58(6):3859-66.
3. Hsieh-Li et al., Antrodia camphorata extract induces replicative senescence in superficial TCC, and inhibits the absolute migration capability in invasive bladder carcinoma cells., J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jan 3;109(1):93-103.
4. Yang et al., Antrodia camphorata inhibits proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo., Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Aug;46(8):2680-8.
5. Wang et al., Antrodia camphorata in submerged culture protects low density lipoproteins against oxidative modification., Am J Chin Med. 2006;34(2):217-31.
6. Wu et al., First total synthesis of antrocamphin A and its analogs as anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregation agents., Org Biomol Chem. 2011 Jan 7;9(1):70-3.
7. Lin et al., Promoting effect of Antrodia camphorata as an immunomodulating adjuvant on the antitumor efficacy of HER-2/neu DNA vaccine., Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2010 Aug;59(8):1259-72.
