Matsutake mushrooms are attracting the attention of many scientists around the world. Several studies have established the fact that Matsutake mushrooms are very effective in treating various forms of cancer. Animal testing has shown that Matsutake mushrooms are effective against solid implanted cancer; cancer induced by chemicals, and also showed a number of other beneficial properties. This includes inhibiting induced liver disease, lowering serum lipid levels, activating T helper lymphocytes, enhancing immunity, and promoting enterokinesis in liver carcinoma.
Researchers from Mie University School of Medicine, Kobe University College of Agriculture and the Iwade Institute of Fungology transplanted carcinoma cells called Sarcoma 180 into 6-week-old mice. Mice were administered a solution mixed with Matsutake mushroom extracts. The size and growth of the cancer were monitored periodically. The process was compared to other fungi. After 60 days, the results surprised everyone, including the skeptics. The Matsutake mushroom demonstrated anticancer activities and there was an 87.5% disappearance of carcinoma.
Matsutake contains powerful anticancer agents, especially polysaccharides such as the complex of b- (1-6) àD-glycans and proteins. It also contains many types of glycans that are powerful carcinostatic agents. The body of the fruit contains AB-P polysaccharide and AB-FP polysaccharide, which are also potent carcinostatic agents.
The environment around us is highly polluted and effluents and discharges from industrial areas contain numerous carcinogens such as benzene. 80% of cancers are caused by these carcinogens. Ingredients like bD-glycan, xyloglycan), uronyde, peptide glycan, and nucleic acid elements found in Matsutake mushrooms give it its carichinostatic properties.
Matsutake mushrooms stop the metastasis of carcinoma cells by strengthening the immune system. Basically, the immune system is made up of lymphocytes (T and B lymphocytes), antibodies, macrophages, and leukocytes. They stop the proliferation of cancer cells in much the same way as chemotherapy drugs. More than six types of steroids have been found in Matsutake mushrooms to inhibit the growth of cancer. Since carcinoma cells take many years to proliferate and cause carcinoma, regular consumption of Matsutake mushrooms can greatly reduce the risk of getting cancer.
Humanity has been struggling to find a cure for cancer and has not been totally successful. If one has a bacterial infection, measures can be taken, including antibiotics that can be modified to attack only the pathogens. Unfortunately, cancer cells form from existing cells in the body, and therefore there are very few differences between carcinoma cells and normal cells. Therefore, the drugs given to kill cancer cells also kill normal cells. In other words, no drug has been found that specifically targets cancer cells. Side effects are quite common, and sometimes the drugs given to kill the carcinoma themselves are carcinogenic and cause secondary cancer. Therefore, the search for a natural remedy for cancer and Matsutake is a mushroom that has potential for use as a carcinostatic agent.