Mycotherapy Flashcards
What does the mycelial network do
it’s a root-like network that releases enzymes and acids to externally digest dead organisms and move nutrients back into the lifecycle.
What are the compounds produced by medicinal mushrooms that can be harnessed therapeutically
Beta-Glucans
Triterpenes
Sterols
Lectins
LEARN
What are the most common forms of beta-glucans
1,3 and 1,6 beta-glucans
What is the most important action of beta-glucans and what are they
Beta-glucans are soluble fibres that come from fungi/mushrooms. They stimulate immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils, NKC, etc) and support
- optimal immune function
- promote immunomodulation
- anti tumour activity
What are the roles of triterpenes and provide example of which mushroom are they in
Reishi
hepato-protective
anti-tumour
What is the role of sterols
sub group of steroids and precursor to Vit D.
Anti cancer
What is the role of Lectins
Agglutinate tumour cells preventing proliferation
Immune modulatory
Why are mushrooms useful in cancer prevention
Compounds in medicinal mushrooms such as beta-glucans and triterpenes are anti-tumour,
sterols are anti cancer,
and lectins prevent tumour proliferation.
Beta glucans also support optimal immune funtion.
Are mushrooms safe to use with drugs
Mushrooms demonstrate no appreciable inhibition of CYP450 enzymes which breakdown/metabolise drugs - therefore possibility of interaction is unlikely.
Reishi is an adpatogen - what are its most important constituents
polysaccharides (beta-glucans), triterpenes (ganoderic acids), lectins, sterols, Bs
8 therapeutic uses of Reishi
Immune modulating: increases number and activity of immune cells
Anti viral: Triterpenes inhibit replication of EB Virus and Hep B, inhibit and reverse transcriptase in HIV
Anti cancer: induces apoptosis and inhibits antgiogenesis of cancer cells; beta glucans strengthen immune sys; inhibit tumour metastases
Anti inflammatory:Triterpenes are anti inflammatory and anti histamine. Healthy ageing
Anti coagulant: Ganoderic acids inhibit platelet aggregation, thinning blood.CV disease support
Benign prostatic hyperplasia: 5a Reductase inhibitor therefore blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT/prostate growth
Stress and sleep: Triterpenes have sedative action, calm NS, support sleep and relaxation
Blood sugar regulating: Ganoderic acids increase insulin secretion and decrease resistance. - T2DM and PCOS
What makes Reishi unique amongst medicinal mushrooms therapeutically
Action on stress and sleep - sedative and calms the nervous system.
What is the dosage range of reishi
3-9g / day (up to 15g).
What are the predominant drug interactions with medicinal mushrooms
Warfarin/anticoagulant drugs. may increase risk of bleeding.
Shiitake - what are its most important constituents
the beta-glucan LENITNAN, choline, zinc, provitamin D, iron, Bs and unsaturated fatty acids
What is the most important function of LENTINAN, the beta glucan found in shiitake
anti cancer - it’s the third most widely prescribed anti cancer ‘drug’ in the world. Used byTCM to nourish the blood.
List 5 therapeutic uses of shiitake
Immune modulating: increases phagocytes, T-lymphocytes and NK cells and interferon synthesis (anti viral) - used in immune support, esp for cancer patients and HIV.
Anti Candida, gingivitis and periodntitis.
CVD: Lowers LDL by increasing excretion, increases HDL
Inhibits platelet aggregation
Cancer: anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic. Studies show life-prolonging effects in liver, pancreatic, gastric and colorectal cancer receiving chemo.
Gout: alkalising effect and lowers uric acid levels.
Benign prostate hyperplasia:high Zn blocks conversion of DHT
What is the recommended dose of shiitake and what are the side effects of long term high dose
1.5-10g (up to 16g)
Rare side effects of abdominal discomfort, photosensitivity, asthma
Lion’s Mane: what are its constituents
beta-glucans, erinacines, high protein, Se, Zn
What are two therapeutic uses of lions mane
GI disorders: promotes regeneration of the gastric and intestinal mucosa - intestinal permeability, IBD, Peptic ulcers, gastritis, GORD.
Prebiotic therefore disbiosis use
Nervous system disorders:
What does erinacine in Lion’s mane have a stimulatory effect on
stimulates production of NGF - nerve growth factor - a protein required to regenerate and repair nerve tissue.
Powerful anti oxidant
Alzheimers, concussion, MS, Parknsons, peripheral neuropathies, cognitive decline.
What is the recommended dose of lions mane
1-6g/day
Turkey Tail - what are its key components and what are they used for
2 polysaccharide extracts - polysaccharide K (PSK) and polysaccharide-peptide (PSP) used as drugs in cancer patients. PSK widely used in Japan.
What are the 2 therapeutic uses of turkey tail
Cancer: anti: proliferative, metastatic, angiogenic. Can induce apoptosis of cancer cells.
PSK and PSP improves survival when combined with conventional therapies and protects against mutations caused by radiotherapy.
Especially indicated in hormonally driven cancers.
Immune modulatory: increases macrophage, T-lymphocyte, NKC.
Anti-viral against viruses eg EBV, HIV, Hep B.
Normalises overactive immune syst (good for autoimmunity) - no effect on healthy but upregulates immune system in immunocompromised.
What is the dosage for turkey tail
1-9g/day
Maitake - what are its important constituents
beta-glucans, metalloproteins, lectins, enzymes, ergosterol
What are 4 therapeutic uses of Maitake
Immune modulatory: beta glucans stimulate macrophages, NKC, increase Th1 lymphocytes.
Fatty acids inhibit COX-1 and LOX-2 - reduce inflammation
Cancer: immune boosting effect of beta-glucans
Alleviate side effects of chemo eg loss of appetite/hair, vomiting
anti metastatic and inhibits tumour growth
CVD: contains protease which prevents clot formaiton
reduces LDL and regulates RAAS (normalising BP)
Metabolic disease: proteoglycans improve insulin sensitivity. Useful for T2DM and can help induce ovulation in PCOS.
Good for fatty liver issues as hypolipidemic
what are the interactions of Maitake
blood glucose lowering meds - monitor to prevent hypoglycaemia.
What is the dose for Maitake
3-7g/day
Chaga - what are its key constituents
beta-glucans, triterpenoids, sterols inc ergosterol.
What are the disease states chaga has traditionally been used to treat
Heart disease, DM, increase endurance
Antioxidant - down regulates inflammatory mediators
What are the two therapeutic uses of CHAGA
Immunity: immunomodulator, supporting bone marrow activity and proliferation of immune cells
anti viral (hep C)
Prevent cytokine storm (immune system over responds and damages healthy tissue
Useful for ulcerative colitis due to anti inflammatory and immune modulatory actions
Cancer: antioxidant and induces cancer cell apoptosis.
Offset bone marrow-suppressing effects of chemo.
What is the dose of chaga
1-4g/day
What are the safety precautions around chaga
inhibits platelet aggregation - caution before surgery.
What are the important constituents in cordyceps
polysaccharides, cordycepin acid, nucleosides, ergosterol and sterols
What is cordyceps used for in TCM
supports the energy-stimulating capacity of the kidney - important role in rejuvenation during convalescence
What are 7 therapeutic uses of cordyceps
Kidney diseases: decreases proteinuria, improves creatine clearance, promotes regeneration of kidney tubular cells
Protects damage from immunosuppressants
Stimulates formation of erythrocytes (decreased in kidney failure)
Used for chronic kidney disease
Liver disease: cordycepin improves hepatocyte function , decreases formation of fibrotic tissue in liver cirrhosis. Improves liver function in hep B and C.
CVD: anti imflamatory from polysaccharides.
Cardiotonic - helps arrythmias.
Increases NO production and relaxes vascular walls (lowers BP)
Anti thrombotic
Respiratory diseases: improves asthma, chronic bronchitis and COPD.
Strengthens immune and anti viral
Fatague and concentration: adenosine content provides extra energy and improves learning and memory capacity
Reproductive diseases: enhances fertility and libido
increases testosterone production in men - impotency
Regulate menstrual cycle
Depression: MAO inhibitor leads to increased dopamine and serotonin
What is the recommeded dose for cordyceps
2-5g dayW
What are the cautions around use of cordyceps
immunostimulatory so may interfere with immunosuppressant drugs
Caution on hormone dependent cancers
Which 2 mushrooms might be useful for regulating blood sugars
Reishi: ganoderic acids increase insulin secretion and decrease resistance
Maitake: proteoglycans improves insulin sensitivity.
Which 3 mushrooms might be helpful for CVD
Maitake: protease prevents clot formation, Reduces LDL cholesterol and regulates RAAS normalising BP
Cordyceps: polysaccharides have strong anti inflammatory activity. Cardiotonic - helping with arrythmias.
Increaes NO production and relaxes vascular walls - lowering BP
Anti thrombotic properties
Shiitake: lowers LDL by increasing excretion and increases HDL.
Anti thrombotic and inhibits platelet aggregation
Which 2 mushrooms might be helpful in benign prostate hyperplasia
Reishi - 5a reductase inhibitor (blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT)
Shiitake - high Zn blocks conversion of DHT
Which mushroom might help with nervous system disorders such as alzheimers/concussion and by what means
Lions Mane - the erinacine has stimulatory effect on the product of Nerve Growth Factor - a protein that regenerates and repairs nerve tissue.
Which mushroom is good for gastrointestinal disorders
Lion’s Mane - promotes regeneration of gastric and intestinal mucosal.
Intestinal permeability, IBD, peptic ulcers, gastritis, GORD.
