Overview:
Enokitake (Flammulina velutipes), commonly known as the “Golden Needle Mushroom” or “Winter Mushroom”, is an edible mushroom that grows on the stumps of the hackberry, mulberry, and persimmon trees. Due to its crisp texture, Enokitake are used frequently as an ingredient in East Asian cuisines. Extracts from the Enokitake mushroom contains immuno-modulatory protein that can be potentially excelled for immune therapies (1) and to support cardiovascular health (2).
Active Constituents:
The Enokitake mushroom extracts contain beta-D-glucan and immuno-modulatory protein (lectin) which helps promote natural antioxidant production (3), balance immune response (4), and to promote general liver health (5).
Pharmacological and Clinical Research: Original Research on Enokitake mushroom
References:
1. Wichers et al., Immunomodulatory capacity of fungal proteins on the cytokine production of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells., Int Immunopharmacol. 2008 Aug;8(8):1124-33.
2. Wasser SP, Weis AL., Therapeutic effects of substances occurring in higher Basidiomycetes mushrooms: a modern perspective., Crit Rev Immunol. 1999;19(1):65-96.
3. Ohshima et al., Antioxidative activities of mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) extract added to bigeye tuna meat: dose-dependent efficacy and comparison with other biologicalantioxidants., J Food Sci. 2009 Mar;74(2):C162-9.
4. Wang et al., Purification, characterization and immuno-modulating properties of polysaccharides isolated from Flammulina velutipes mycelium., Am J Chin Med. 2010;38(1):191-204
5. Na et al., Cytoprotective effect of polysaccharide isolated from different mushrooms against 7-ketocholesterol induced damage in mouse liver cell line (BNL CL. 2)., Nutr Res Pract. 2007 Fall;1(3):180-3.
