The Anti-allergic Effects of Maitake

A study based on a recent collaborative investigation with Professor Hirasawa of the, Tohoku University Graduate School for a pharmacy graduate course on lifestyle-related disease treatment, has shown that Maitake mushrooms may have the potential to reduce allergy symptoms.

 

Effect of the action of the mast cells and Maitake

When Antigens, such as pollen, invade the human body, via a mucous membrane, mast cells secrete histamines and cause an allergic reaction.

At the same time, mast cells secrete inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13, and activate immune cells surrounding it to promote inflammation.

In this study, it was revealed that Maitake mushrooms, in combination with the secretion of histamines from mast cells, control gene expression levels of IL-4 and IL-13. In other words, they have the potential to act as an anti-inflammatory agent.

 

Experimental method

In this experiment, we used a fat soluble ingredient which extracted the ethanoic extract of each mushroom in ethyl acetate.

We then added the extract of each mushroom to a rat-originated mast cell line (RBL-2H3) and performed antigen stimulation in a culture for 20 minutes.

For the experiment, we used DNP-HSA (dinitrophenyl – human serum albumin) as an antigen.

After 40 minutes of antigen stimulation, the Histamine density in the culture fluid was measured; 4 hours later, IL-4, which is an inflammatory cytokine, and IL-13 were measured to ascertain their expression level.

 

Experimental result

Mast cells given Maitake extract in advance significantly restrained the histamine secretion amount after antigen stimulation.

In addition, the gene expression level of IL-4 and IL-13 of inflammatory cytokine was significantly controlled.

Histamine secretion amount after antigen stimulationn=3, *There is a significant difference between the contrast.P<0.01

 

The above results show that Maitake mushroom extract can be expected to improve the symptoms of allergic reactions, such as hay fever.

 

The above results of the study were presented at the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan 133th Annual Meeting (2013)

The Beneficial Effects of Eryngii on Constipation

We investigated the effects of bowel movements of women who have chronic constipation by  having them ingest cooked King Trumpet mushrooms (Eryngii). The ingestion of King Trumpet mushrooms might cause an increase of the frequency of defecation and improvements of bowel movement and character of stool. Women who have chronic constipation to the number of 15 (45.3 years of mean age) had a meal added 50g of cooked King Trumpet mushrooms for 30 consecutive days on breakfast and lunch time, respectively. Then, they filled out a questionnaire seeking information about changes of the frequency of defecation, bowel movement and character of stool.

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The Role of Eryngii in Body Fat Reduction

An overview of obesity and metabolic syndrome

According to The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), “Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke. The term “metabolic” refers to the biochemical processes involved in the body’s normal functioning. Risk factors are traits, conditions, or habits that increase your chance of developing a disease. Metabolic syndrome is becoming more common due to a rise in obesity rates among adults.”  – NHLBI / Metabolic Syndrome

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