Lentinan is extracted from Lentinus edodes, a kind of fungal also called shiitake mushroom. Among various polysaccharides, the fungal polysaccharide has attracted much attention because of its strong biological activity. Fungal polysaccharides are separated from fungal fruit bodies, mycelium, and fermentation broth. They are a class of active polysaccharides that can control cell division and differentiation, regulate cell growth and senescence. The fungal polysaccharide in lentinan was first used as a drug in the 1950s and used as an immune booster after the 1960s. In 1969, Nature, the world's authoritative scientific journal, first published an article on lentinan. The anti-tumor effect has aroused the attention of the scientific community to polysaccharides.
Shiitake mushroom extract is a basidiomycete Umbelliferae fungus, one of the world's rare edible fungi and medicinal fungi. Shiitake mushrooms are delicious, rich in fragrance and nutrients. They are regarded as "anti-cancer recruits" and "mushroom queens". Every 100g of dried mushrooms contains 13g of protein, 1.8g of fat, 54g of sugar, and 7.8g of crude fiber. Ash content 4.9g, calcium 124mg, phosphorus 415mg, iron 25.3mg, thiamine 0.07mg, riboflavin 1.13mg, niacin 18.5mg.
Benefits of Shiitake mushroom extract
1. Immune modulation
Lentinan is a typical T cell activator, which can promote the production of interleukins and the function of mononuclear macrophages. It is considered a special immune enhancer. Its immune function is characterized by its ability to promote the production of lymphocyte activating factors, release various helper T cell factors, enhance the phagocytic rate of host peritoneal macrophages, and restore or stimulate the function of helper T cells. In addition, lentinan can also promote antibody production and inhibit the release of immune system inhibitors from macrophages.
2. Anti-tumor effect
Lentinan can induce the production of a kind of cytokine with immune activity. Under the combined action of these cytokines, the body's immune system is strengthened. It kills tumor cells. The combined use of lentinan and chemotherapeutics attenuates toxicity and increases efficacy. It is mainly used to inhibit the occurrence, development and metastasis of tumors. It can improve the sensitivity of tumors to chemotherapeutics through immunomodulatory effects or affect the activity of some key enzymes. The patient’s life is extended.
3. Anti-infection effect
According to reports, the antiviral effect of lentinan is related to the enhancement of NK cell activity. The surface of the polysaccharide molecule adheres to the surface of the pathogen, blocking the combination of the pathogen and the sugar molecule on the surface of normal cells, thereby blocking the path of infection. The effect of lentinan on the Abelson virus, Adenovirus type 12 and influenza virus infection have inhibitory effects. It is good medicine for the treatment of various hepatitis, especially chronic migratory hepatitis.
4. Antiviral effect
Recently, some scholars have discovered that sulfated lentinan has a negative charge, which can prevent HIV from binding to host cells by means of receptor competitive inhibition. At the same time, it has many mimic ligands of cell surface molecules that can directly bind to cells and hinder Virus adsorption. It is active in the anti-AIDS virus.
