Overview:
Naturally grown on mulberry trees, the Phellinus linteus mushroom (also known as the Meshimakobu mushroom and Sang Hwang) is a rare medicinal mushroom that has been used in oriental medicine practices. The overall health benefits include to stimulate the hormonal (1) and cell-mediated (2) immune function and to maintain a normal blood glucose level (3)
Active Constituents:
The Phellinus mushroom extracts consist of three different parts: Beta D-Glucan and lectin (The polysaccharide-protein complexes) found in the mushroom were shown to have immunomodulating effects (4). The polyphenolic components of the extracts demonstrated potentials protect against free-radical related injuries in animal models (5). Finally, the most recent discovered constituent, known as the interfungins A, help with protein synthesis during glucose metabolism, which may help diabetics supplementing their daily nutritional management programs.
Pharmacological and Clinical Research: Original Research on Phellinus linteus
References:
1. Yamanaka et al., Dramatic remission of hormone refractory prostate cancer achieved with extract of the mushroom, Phellinus linteus.,Urol Int. 2004;73(2):188-90.
2. Hu et al., Anti-tumor effects of proteoglycan from Phellinus linteus by immunomodulating and inhibiting Reg IV/EGFR/Akt signaling pathway in colorectal carcinoma., Int J Biol Macromol. 2011 Apr 1;48(3):511-7.
3. Han et al., Evaluation of antidiabetic activity of polysaccharide isolated from Phellinus linteus in non-obese diabetic mouse., Int Immunopharmacol. 2010 Jan;10(1):72-8
4. Chen et al., A medicinal mushroom: Phellinus linteus., Curr Med Chem. 2008;15(13):1330-5.
5. Zhang et al., Protective effects of Phellinus linteus extract against iron overload-mediated oxidative stress in cultured rat hepatocytes., Phytother Res. 2007 Oct;21(10):948-53.
