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Fungal Pharmacy
Fungal Pharmacy
Fungal Pharmacy
Sara Thyr, ND
Fungi Characteristics
100,000 described species
Fungi
Are decomposers Absorb nutrients from their environment Break down organic matter from dead organisms, leaves, garbage and other waste When break down organic compounds, are released into environment where are recycled
Structure - chitin
Cell walls contain chitin (a complex carbohydrate) Chitin is also component of external skeletons of insects and other arthropods Chitin is resistant to breakdown by most microorganisms
Structure
Structure
Fungi contain network of filaments Multicellular body contains long, branched threadlike
Controversy in classification
Fungi are more closely related to animals than plants! Like plants: have cell walls & vacuoles, are sessile; many inhabit the soil Unlike plants: fungal cell walls do not contain cellulose (rather contain chitin as in insect skeletons) Fungal mode of nutrition differs from plants cannot produce their own organic materials Like animals, fungi are heterotrophs Like animals, fungi have plate-like cristae in their mitochondria Based on structural characters and molecular data, systematists now view fungi as more closely related to animals than to plants
Form intracellular association with roots of most trees and herbaceous plants
Assn. between hyphae of fungi and roots of plants are called mycorrhizae Mutualistic symbiotic association both benefit
Ascomycetes
32,000 species Great impact on humans
Basidiomycetes
Over 30,000 species Largest and most familiar of the fungi
basidiocarp
Lower surface of the cap consists of many gills where basidiospores form
Reproduction
Ecological importance
Free-living decomposers absorbing nutrients from organic wastes and dead organisms Degrade cellulose and lignin, the main components of plant cell walls Release water, CO2, and minerals which are recycled Without this continuous decomposition, essential nutrients would remain locked up in huge mounds of animal carcass, feces, branches, logs and
leaves
The nutrients within them would not be unavailable for use by new generations of organisms Life would eventually cease!!!
Symbiosis
Important symbiotic relationships w/ animals, plants, bacteria
Bioremediation
Some fungi can biodegrade pesticides, herbicides Some break down coal tars and petroleum Convert into CO2 and their basic elements Fungi and bacteria can decontaminate farm land and clean up oil spills
Fuel Impact
Renewable fuel companies are researching fungi for fuel
production Recently a fungus was discovered than synthesizes 55
Fungi in Medicine
1928 Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin produced by the mold Penicillium notatum
Penicillium conidiophores
Yummy!
Yeasts produce ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide from sugars beer and bread!!!
Medicinal Mushrooms
Have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years Western researchers are starting to catch on Myriad mushrooms to discuss
Properties
Plant cell walls made of cellulose, beta 1-4
Beta glucans
Yeast and oats also form beta glucans Structure of mushroom beta glucans is more diverse Therefore have higher levels activity in immune system Mushroom polysaccharides have immunological activity
77.5% from mushroom fruiting body 20.8% from mycelium 2.0% from culture filtrate (broth)
Active properties
Proteins Tripterpenes Sterols Chitin Enzymes Polysaccharides!! Most widespread
Proteins
Ling Zhi-8 (LZ-8) from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Fve, EA-6 and Flammulin from Flammulina velutipes (Enokitake) Immune modulation act on monocytes; effect T-cell activation Ribosome inactivation Anti-HIV Velutin inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase Anti-fungal Nuclease activity Lectins have been isolated from many mushrooms, including F. velutipes, Grifola frondosa and G. lucidum.
Triterpenes
Families of ganoderic and lucidenic acids from Ganoderma lucidum are best known, give it many therapeutic properties
Sterols
Principal sterol is ergosterol, with H. erinaceus fruiting body containing high amounts Anti-tumor activity has been shown, as well as anti-angiogenic properties
Isolation of an antitumour compound (Ergosterol) from Agaracus blazei Murill and its mechanism of action. Takaku T, Kimura Y, Okuda H. J Nutr.
2001;131:1409-1413
Chitin
Primary component of fungal cell walls Effects on innate and adaptive immune responses Ability to recruit and activate innate immune cells
Enzymes
Digestive enzymes (proteases, lipases, etc.) Antioxidant enzymes (laccase, catalase, superoxide dismutase [SOD]) SOD is acid-labile - no bioactivity Tyrosinase genoprotective effect in vitro
Most widespread and most immunologically important Profound impact on immune system
Th2 suppression
Reduce IL-4 production Inhibit prostaglandin synthesis Inhibit delayed type hypersensitivity
Increases especially critical are in Th1 cytokines such as IL2, IFN-y Decrease in Th2 cytokines such as IL-4
Extraction Process
Hundreds of mushroom products on shelves Most research done on hot water extracts Or hot water extracts w/ alcohol extract
in fruiting body
Biomass products tend to have leftover substrate, not just mycelium
Extracts
Aqueous extracts (traditional teas/decoctions) give high polysaccharide concentrations but lower levels of triterpenes
Spores
Fruiting body exists to spread spores in reproduction Rich in fatty acids, which have some therapeutic action G. lucidum spores v fruiting body show little difference in immunological activity
Mycelium (liquid/submerged
fermentation)
Liquid fermentation is used in pharm industry to produce antibiotics (also fungal enzymes)
(brown rice)
Once substrate is exhausted and about to produce fruiting bodies, mass of mycelium and residual substrate is dried and granulated
Side Effects/CI
Large-scale studies show minimal side effects None serious (rash, redness, nausea) Bowel changes in a few patients, resolves in 2-3 days
Auricularia auricula
Cordyceps sinensis
Medicinal Mushrooms
Hericium erinaceus (Lions Mane) Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom) Trametes versicolor/Coriolus versiclor (Turkey Tail)
G. lucidum
Ten-thousand-year mushroom
Mushroom of immortality Herb of Spiritual Potency Traditional use by Taoist monks to promote centered calmness, improve meditative practices and attain a long and healthy life Revered in Japanese culture considered the most important of all
medicinal mushrooms
G. lucidum
Polysaccharides and triterpenes provide medicinal action Chitin contributes to hardness of Reishi Must do decoction to extract medicinal benefits
for 10 days
American Herbal Pharmacopoeia & Therapeutic Compentdium. Reishi Mushroom. Ganoderma lucidum. Standards of Analysis, Quality Control, and Therapeutics. Ed: Roy Upton. April 2006
G. lucidum
Very high polysaccharide and triterpene over 130 compounds have been isolated in families of ganoderic and lucidenic acids Fruiting bodies contain 41% beta glucan Is an adaptogen
G. lucidum
Health Benefits seen from ganoderic and lucidenic acids:
Anti-tumor
Inhibit cholesterol synthesis CNS sedation Anti-inflammatory Anti-microbial Induce apoptosis Immune modulation
G. lucidum in Cancer
Long Hx traditional Tx of cancer, credited w many cases of spontaneous remission
G. lucidum in athletes
G. lucidum in allergies
Suppression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha
confers strong anti-inflammatory effects Also suppression of IL-6, NO and PGE2 via NFKB signaling pathway Component in Chinese formula shown to completely block anaphylactic reactions in mouse model of peanut allergy
Cardiovascular benefits
Polysaccharides and triterpenes are:
Hypolipidemic
Hypotensive Anti-thrombotic
Anti-aging traditionally to promote longevity, shown to inhibit betaamyloid synaptic toxicity (Alzheimers), broad spectrum cardiovascular, neurological and immune benefits
A. brasiliensis in Cancer
Quickly becoming very popular medicinal mushroom Polysaccharide extracts have strong activity against lung and ovarian cancer, Ehrlich ascites cancer and sarcoma Synergistic benefits with chemo- and radiotherapy Decreased cachexia and promoted weight gain while reducing tumor size (rat cachexia model)
Effects of the Medicinal Mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill on Immunity, Infection and Cancer G. Hetland, E. Johnson, T. Lyberg, S. Bernardshaw, A. M. A. Tryggestad & B. Grinde Scand J Immunol. 2008 Oct;68(4):363-70. doi: 10.1111/j.13653083.2008.02156.x
bid x 3 months)
Fruiting body extract are in most studies Usual dose 3 g/day polysaccharide extract (some studies show effect of culture broth and biomass)
Armillaria mellea
High levels of polysaccharides Anti-aging
Immune modulating
Antibiotics have been isolated (activity v Staph, Strep, Enterococcus, yeast and other fungi)
A. auricula
Grows widely throughout US, Asia and
Europe
polysaccharides
Functional food for elderly developed as an
A. auricula
Polysaccharides are key component
Cordyceps sinensis
Cordyceps sinensis
Also called caterpillar fungus
Got world-wide attention in 1993 when Chinese runners broke nine world
records coach said were taking Cordyceps-based tonic Increases energy levels and endurance Mountain climbers use to reduce altitude sickness (oxygenates blood) Has become one of the top-selling sports supplements among elite athletes Used in elderly in China as super-ginseng Cs-4 is cultivated strain
Stengler, Mark, ND. The Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2005
Cordyceps sinensis
Can interrupt RNA/DNA synthesis use as reverse transcriptase inhibitor, Tx HIV and hepatitis (AZT/Retrovir, Videx and Epivir) Anti-aging Cs-4 shown to increase oxygen uptake, aerobic capacity and resistance to fatigue
Cordyceps sinensis
Stimulates 17-estradiol production, through
Cordyceps sinensis
Diabetes Inc. insulin and sensitivity of cells to it (1 study
95% of pt. on 3g/day C. sinensis biomass saw improved blood sugar, compared to 54% of those Tx with other methods.
Kidney protective Tx chronic nephritis, kidney failure, chronic pyelonephritis, and protects v chemicals that
Cordyceps sinensis
Cardiovascular arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, and chronic heart failure,
Cordyceps sinensis
Dosage 800-2400 mg of hot water/ethanol extract from fermented mycelia of Cordyceps
A randomized study 30 pts (age 50-80 w/ mild dementia) 3 g/day tablets increased cognitive function in Tx group
Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive
impairment: a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. Mori, K. et al. Phytother Res. 2009;23(3)
diet
Gastritis ABx and protects mucosa (human and rat studies)
local myths)
Traditional use was a tea used to Tx inoperable breast cancer, hip, gastric, parotid, pulmonary, stomach, skin,
Anti-retroviral
Anti-parasitic & anti-inflammatory
2-5 g/day
Anti-oxidant activity Phenolic extract
world
Leading anti-cancer drug derived from this
T. versicolor/C. versicolor
HIV PSK in vitro anti-HIV via several routes
Herpes clinically reduce frequency of HSV
outbreaks
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome biomass shows
References
Couto, Silva. Evaluation of Coriolus versicolor Supplementation in HPV patients. Clinical Journal of Mycology. Feb 2007. Vol. 2 (2-11). Godoy, Stephanie research assistant
Hetland, G. E. Johnson, T. Lyberg, S. Bernardshaw, A. M. A. Tryggestad & B. Grinde Effects of the Medicinal
Mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill on Immunity, Infection and Cancer Scand J Immunol. 2008 Oct;68(4):363-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2008.02156.x
Kelly-Pieper, Kelly et al. Safety and tolerability of an antiasthma herbal formula (ASHMI) in adult asthmatics: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose escalation phase I study. J Altern Compliment Med. 2009 July: 15(7)735-743.
MycoHerb. Clinical Guide for Practitioners. (Crane Herb Company) 2008 Pop, Otakar, et al. Beta glucans in higher fungi and their health effects. Nutrition Reviews. 209. Vol. 67(11)624-631. Powell, Martin. Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. 2010 Solomon. Biology 9e, 2010, Chapter 29, The Fungi. Stengler, ND, Mark. The Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms. Basic Health Publications. 2005. Upton, Roy, Editor. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium. Reishi Mushroom. Ganoderma lucidum. April 2006.
Contact
Sara Thyr, ND
Willowbend Natural Medicine www.DrThyr.com 707-780-6033 sara@DrThyr.com