Immunomodulating Activity ofAgaricus brasiliensisKA21 in Mice and in Human Volunteers

Abstract

We performed studies on murine models and human volunteers to examine the immunoenhancing effects of the naturally outdoor-cultivated fruit body ofAgaricus brasiliensisKA21 (i.e.Agaricus blazei). Antitumor, leukocyte-enhancing, hepatopathy-alleviating and endotoxin shock-alleviating effects were found in mice. In the human study, percentage body fat, percentage visceral fat, blood cholesterol level and blood glucose level were decreased, and natural killer cell activity was increased. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that theA. brasiliensisfruit body is useful as a health-promoting food.