Overview:
Known as the “Cloud Mushroom” in Asia and “Turkey Tail” in North America because of its unique shape, Coriolus is one of the most thoroughly studied medicinal mushrooms supplementing liver(1), respiratory(2) and immune system(3) conditions. Naturally equipped with chemically distinct peptides(4) known as the “biological response modifier”(5), the Coriolus mushroom has been proven to have potent immunomodulating capabilities contributing to a healthier life.
Active Constituents:
The Coriolus mushroom contains beta-D-glucan, triterpenoids, monosaccharides and glyconutrients which is believe to be the key resulting to its extraordinary health beneficial effects. A combination of these compounds found in the Coriolus mushrooms are nowadays known by the Scientists and clinicians as PSK(6) and PSP(7), both are active extracts from the mycelium of the mushrooms.
Pharmacological and Clinical Research: Original Research on Coriolus mushrooms
References:
1. Farghali H, Masek K., Immunopharmacologic agents in the amelioration of hepatic injuries., Int J Immunopharmacol. 1998 Apr-May;20(4-5):125-39.
2. Saito et al., The protective activity of immunostimulants against Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice., J Med Microbiol. 1992 Feb;36(2):112-6.
3. Tenborg et al., Modulation of cytokine expression by traditional medicines: a review of herbal immunomodulators., Altern Med Rev. 2006 Jun;11(2):128-50.
4. Song et al., Macrophage-stimulating activity of polysaccharides extracted from fruiting bodies of Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom)., J Med Food. 2006 Summer;9(2):175-81.
5. Wan et al., Polysaccharopeptide mimics ciclosporin-mediated Th1/Th2 cytokine balance for suppression of activated human T cell proliferation by MAPKp38 and STAT5 pathways., J Pharm Pharmacol. 2008 Nov;60(11):1491-9.
6. Garcia-Lora et al., The immunomodulator PSK induces in vitro cytotoxic activity in tumour cell lines via arrest of cell cycle and induction of apoptosis., BMC Cancer. 2008 Mar 24;8:78.
7. Bao et al., Immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharopeptide (PSP) in human PBMC through regulation of TRAF6/TLR immunosignal-transduction pathways., Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2010 Dec;32(4):576-84
