Lentinan

Medicinal Mushrooms

Mushrooms have always held an unusual place in the human psyche, its evolution, and development. They have always been associated with power and mysticism. Used for food, rituals, and, of course, healing.

Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals, which is why they greatly attract scientists, as they contain various substances not found anywhere else. It all began with the antibiotic Penicillin (derived from the fungus Penicillium), which is estimated to have saved up to 200 million lives^[1].

The rapidly growing number of studies conducted worldwide proves the value of mushrooms in the treatment and prevention of health problems. Few people know that active substances derived from mushrooms are widely used in medicine. A few examples:

• Antibacterial substances (antibiotics)^[2]: peptides, β-lactams, and other antimicrobial substances.
• Statins for cholesterol reduction were also invented from fungi^[3]: patented as early as 1979.
• Antifungal drugs: Caspofungin, Anidulafungin and others.
• Immunosuppressants (immune-stimulating ones, we will discuss later): Cyclosporine, Mizoribine and others.
• Antimalarials: Efrapeptins, Codinaeopsins.
• Drugs for diabetes, such as DPP-4 inhibitors^[4], which lower blood glucose, and α-glucosidase inhibitors^[5], which inhibit carbohydrate absorption, are also derived from mushrooms.
• Undoubtedly, mushrooms contain unique substances for fighting cancer^[6].

How cancer cells protect themselves from immunity

Normally, immune cells, macrophages, find and destroy altered cells. However, it is known that cancer cells have various survival strategies. They use sophisticated proteins such as PD-L1, CD47 or CD24, which, when attached to cell surfaces, send a 'don't attack me' signal^[7]. Macrophages that receive such a signal do not attack altered cells, believing them to be healthy cells; this acts like an 'invisibility cloak' for cancer cells. This signal is a natural part of the immune system, preventing immune cells from attacking healthy cells. Blocking these 'don't attack me' signals is the basis of some anticancer therapies^[8].

It is known that natural immunoregulators, such as Lentinan, help block this signal from cancer cells^[9], making it easier for immune cells to detect altered cells.

Lentinan – a polysaccharide from Lentinula edodes mushrooms

From a medical perspective, Lentinula edodes (lat. Lentinula edodes) is a 'heavyweight' category mushroom that fights many health disorders. This mushroom, used for millennia in Eastern medicine, contains unique substances. One of them is the polysaccharide Lentinan, known for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, and immune-stimulating properties.

How does Lentinan work?

Lentinan binds to the surface of lymphocytes, which activate macrophages, T-helper cells, and NK cells (natural killer cells). It increases antibody production, including interleukins (IL-2) and interferon (IFN-g). This then triggers an “attack” on foreign bodies, bacteria, viruses, or altered cells. The activity and interaction of these cells is what we call the “immune system.” Additionally, studies show that the compounds of this unique mushroom are effective in protecting against the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy .

Is the use of Lentinan considered “alternative” (or non-conventional) medicine?

In some countries, unfortunately, yes. However, in certain states, even highly developed ones like Japan, this has long ceased to be “alternative” medicine. In Japan, active compounds extracted from Lentinula edodes mushrooms are prescribed for cancer. They are used before, during, and after chemo/radiation therapies, as they inhibit tumor growth/spread and reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence. In fact, in Japan, polysaccharide-based supplements are leading preparations prescribed for treating cancer.

When is Lentinan used?

As mentioned, since Lentinan stimulates/strengthens the immune system, this polysaccharide is used for a vast array of ailments and diseases.

The person most responsible for the current immense interest and widespread research into the active compounds of Lentinula edodes mushrooms is Japanese Ph.D. Kisaku Mori. He founded the Mushroom Research Institute in Tokyo as early as 1936. Until his death, Dr. Mori worked with scientists from around the world, researching the therapeutic properties of polysaccharides. After years of conducting studies on the human body, he discovered that this active compound is effective in treating a very long list of diseases.

The active compounds extracted from the Lentinula edodes mushroom are like a “pot of gold” for both people and the scientists studying them, as they possess antiviral, antibacterial, and antitumor properties. It has been determined that, based on its mechanism of action, Lentinan, acting as an immunomodulator, is most suitable for patients with oncological diseases. After thousands of long-term studies, this effect of Lentinan was identified:

Effect on the tumor: Inhibits the proliferation/growth of cancer cells ^[10] Promotes apoptosis of cancer cells (death of cancer cells) ^[11] Blocks angiogenesis (growth of tumor blood vessels to prevent nutrient supply) ^[11]

Effect on immunity: Increases NK cell activity (NK – Natural killer cells)^[11] Increases cytokine production (cytokines coordinate immune system activity)^[11] Activates macrophages (immune cells)^[11] Increases LAK cell activity (LAK – Lymphokine-activated killer cells (recognize and destroy tumors)) ^[11] Reduces IAP (Immunosuppressive acidic protein – the lower, the better)^[11] Increases interleukins associated with the immune response to cancer cells.^[11] Reduces interleukins associated with allergic immune response (e.g., asthma). ^[11] Activates T cells (one of the main immune cells for fighting cancer; chemotherapy reduces their number, so restoration is necessary). ^[12]

Use with chemotherapy: Enhances the effect of chemotherapy ^[13] Reduces the side effects of chemotherapy ^[11] Improves quality of life ^[11] Extends lifespan ^[11]

What you need to know before buying

The market is flooded with preparations bearing the name "Lentinan," yet the differences between them can be enormous. The most important factor is the extraction method: biologically active polysaccharides are only obtained using water. Ethanol extraction is cheaper and faster, but it does not extract the active ingredients. Although the package may boast a fancy name, there will be no clinically significant amount present. Another crucial indicator that must be stated on the package is the standardized polysaccharide content (as a percentage). The higher it is, the more raw mushroom material was required to produce one gram of the capsule – this is a direct indicator of concentration. Also important is the adequate daily dose, as the preparation's effectiveness directly depends on the amount consumed and the duration of use. The shortest recommended course for health maintenance and prevention lasts 3 months. In the case of an active oncological process, metastases, or late stages of the disease, specialists recommend extending the duration of use and increasing the dose proportionally to the severity of the condition.

However, not all polysaccharides are the same, and this is a key point worth understanding before purchasing a preparation. Lentinula edodes 's active substance, Lentinan, was officially approved in Japan as an adjunctive oncological treatment as early as 1985^[11]. This is confirmed by hundreds of clinical studies. It is not simply an herbal preparation – it is a state-recognized medical tool, used for decades before, during, and after chemotherapy. Lentinan acts as a targeted immunomodulator: it binds to specific receptors on immune cells and activates the entire defense chain – NK cells (natural killer cells), macrophages, T-cells, and also increases the production of interleukin IL-2 and interferon IFN-γ^[11]. There is also another rarely discussed aspect: cancer cells actively send signals to the immune system that suppress its attack ("don't attack me"). Lentinan helps block these signals, allowing the immune system to recognize and destroy the altered cells.^[9].

However, the immune system is not a single weapon—it is an entire army composed of different units fighting on various fronts. NK cells and macrophages are only part of this army. Dendritic cells, which serve as instructors of the immune system, identify targets and give the command to attack. Meanwhile, LAK cells (lymphokine-activated killer cells) directly recognize and destroy tumor cells. This is where the second of the most extensively studied medicinal mushrooms in oncology becomes important – Coriolus versicolor. Its efficacy is supported by hundreds of independent clinical trials^[14]. The active compounds of this mushroom activate dendritic and LAK cells. In Japan, extracts of this mushroom have been included in the standard oncology protocol since 1977, and in China since 1987.^[15]

What else to take?

Antioxidants. After examining the effects of antioxidant use during and after chemotherapy and comparing 93 clinical trials^[10] , it was found that in 70% of cases, chemotherapy effectiveness increases, in 88% of cases, antioxidant use alleviates chemotherapy-induced toxicity and in 63% of cases prolongs patient survival time.

The strongest known natural antioxidant – astaxanthin. Make sure that along with Lentinan there is astaxanthin.

Frequently asked questions