Category: Agaricus Blazei

Information on ABM Mushroom

Posted on by

Agaricus Blazei Murill in treatment of cancer.

ABM Mushroom

Although the first reports of this mushroom date from the forties, only after its discovery in Brazil, in 1965, l – for Mr. Furumoto, a Japanese farmer from Piedade/SP -, a larger interest of the scientific community was aroused, mainly in Japan (country that received the first samples), United States and China. Since then, several researches have been accomplished, demonstrating the qualities and benefits of Agaricus.

In Brazil, the production of Agaricus blazei in commercial scalei just begun in 1989, when the Iwade Laboratory of Japan, signed a cultivation contract with SB Cristal (Kazumasa Abe). Finally, more than 20 years after, the mushroom was back to its homeland.

Considering the nutricional and physiologic importance of the Agaricus mushrooms, Kazumasa Abe requested in 1998, through National Biosciences and Human Technology Institute from the Industrial Technology Agency of the Ministry of International and Industrial Trade of Japan, the patenting of Agaricus blazei BM8, in the Budapeste Agreement about the International Recognition of Micrrorganism Deposit, with the number FERM BP-6480.

Agaricus in natura contains 85 to 87% of water. After the dehydration, it is rich in proteins and carbohydrates and it contains considerable amounts of vitamins – B1, B2, B3 and ergosterol, that it is transformed in D2 vitamin after exhibition to light and cooking -, lipeds (represented mainly by poli-insaturated greasy acids), minerals – potassium (about 2%), phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, sodium, copper, zinc, iron and molibdenium.

In chemical composition, besides the mentioned nutrients, we can found glycoproteins, steroids and polysaccharides complexes with proteins that, when analyzed in laboratory cavies, present properties that potentialize the immune system, the homeostasys and improve the physical conditions of the organism, besides producing pronounced antitumor activity.

Agaricus originates from Piedade, which is located in the suburbs of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The climatic conditions in Piedade include temperatures that soar to 35º during the day and dip to between 20º and 25º at night, with a humidity that averages 80 %. The place also experiences regular squall toward evening. Agaricus thrives only under these conditions, suggesting that its survival is significantly affected by these external conditions.

Some 30 years ago, a US researcher noted that the rate of occurrence of adult diseases in the Piedade region is extremely low, and found that it was because of the Agaricus that was a part of the regular diet of the inhabitants of this area.

Around the same time, Agaricus was introduced to Japan. Dr. Shoji Shibata, who at the time was a professor in the Pharmacological Department of Tokyo niversity, and Dr. Tetuo Ikegawa of the National Cancer Center, jointly researched the pharmacological effects of Agaricus. The research results were released at the general convention of the Japan Pharmacological Association and the Japan Cancer Association. The experience with mice verified that the polysaccharide Beta-glucan contained in Agaricus significantly activated the immune system.

As Agaricus grows only in certain conditions, its production in Brazil remained unstable. Moreover, Agaricus was mostly consumed locally, and importing it into Japan was extremely difficult. Despite efforts in Japan over many years to cultivate Agaricus under artificial conditions, it proved extremely difficult, and failed to guarantee a stable production output. However, in 1992, kyowa Engineering achieved a world first when it successfully mass-produced Agaricus by taking advantage of the company’s biotechnological expertise. Consequently, the company was able to provide a stable supply of Agaricus to the health food market.

Posted on by

Facts about Agaricus Blazei Murill

The mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill was discovered in Piedade, state of São Paulo, Brazil, and sent to Japan to be studied for its medicinal properties. Studies in guinea pigs revealed antitumor properties, triggering Japanese importation of Agaricus blazei Murill from Brazil. Because of its high price on the international market, many companies and rural growers produce Agaricus blazei Murill as alternative crop to increase income, but because interest in this mushroom occurred suddenly there has not been enough time for the scientific community to investigate it and, technology used for its cultivation is still based on empirical rules. There are also some contradicting data regarding the classification of this mushroom, and its antitumor properties still need to be confirmed in humans.

From the early days of civilization, man has used fungi for the production of fermented foods and beverages, or directly as food. In Ancient Egypt, fermentation was considered a gift from the god Osiris, while ancient Romans attributed the emergence of mushrooms and truffles to lightening bolts cast to the earth by Jupiter (Alexopoulos et al., 1996).

For centuries, Asians have attributed curative properties to some mushrooms. Reports from China since about 500 BC, on the medicinal properties of Ganoderma lucidum (known in China as reishi) extracts, especially its anti-cancer properties, have been passed on generation to generation (Mizuno et al., 1995a; 1995c), and since the Ming dynasty (1620 AD), there have been reports on the medicinal properties of Lentinula edodes (shiitake) mushrooms, considered an elixir of life and possessing the ability to enhance `vital energy’ and cure colds (Mizuno, 1995a).

In the late Twentieth Century, researchers in Japan demonstrated the antitumor effects of a Brazilian mushroom, identified as Agaricus blazei Murill, which became subject of studies by several research groups (Kawagishi et al., 1988; 1989; Osaki et al., 1

Posted on by

Health Benefits of Agaricus Blazei.

ABM Mushroom

In Brazil, China, Taiwan, and Korea, Agaricus blazei is believed to stimulate the immune system, fight cancer, reduce blood cholesterol levels, cure digestive and circulatory disorders, prevent peptic ulcer and osteoporosis, improve the quality of life of diabetics, and fight emotional and physical stress. A growing number of scientific researches support these claimed health benefits of the Agaricus blazei, especially on cancer treatment.

Complex polysaccharides isolated from Agaricus blazei like beta-glucans have been found in laboratory studies to inhibit tumor growth and directly kill cancer cells. Other studies also suggest the ability of Agaricus blazei extract to inhibit cancer metastases.

Beta-glucans from Agaricus blazei works on a cellular and molecular level to stimulate the vital components of the immune system such as neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, monocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells. These immune system cells do not only help the body fight infection but also fight tumors and cancer cells.

Agaricus blazei has also been found to exhibit antioxidant properties. The antioxidants in the mushroom will prevent the oxidation of cholesterols, which form plaques in the inner linings of blood vessels, hardening blood vessels and obstructing blood flow. Cholesterol plaques in blood vessels are the major culprits in incidents of heart attack and stroke. Antioxidants also benefits the body by neutralizing unstable and harmful free radicals that damages cells and tissues.

In one study, Agaricus blazei extract protected laboratory mice from fatal septicemia (serious bacterial infection). The extract also increased the survival rate of the infected mice.

Agaricus blazei extract showed anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertriglyceridemic, anti-arteriosclerosis, , and anti-hypertriglyceridemic activities in laboratory rats with streptozocin induced diabetes.

In Japan, thousands of patients are using Agaricus blazei to improve their quality of life after undergoing chemotherapy. Patients who are taking Agaricus blazei report improvement of the side effects of chemotherapy such as appetite loss, alopecia (hair loss), emotional instability, and general weakness.

Studies on human subjects show that both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced in subjects that take Agaricus blazei than those who take placebo.