The oyster mushroom, also known as Pleurotus ostreatus, is a popular edible mushroom with a wide range of health benefits. In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted on the potential anti-cancer and immune system supporting properties of this mushroom.
Anti-Cancer Properties
1. Breast Cancer:
• Source: Journal of Medicinal Food
• Study: “Induction of Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells by Oyster Mushroom Extracts” (2009)
• Findings: Extracts of oyster mushrooms were able to induce apoptosis (cell death) in human breast cancer cells. The researchers concluded that oyster mushrooms may have potential as a natural anti-cancer agent .
2. Colon Cancer:
• Source: International Journal of Oncology
• Study: “Anti-cancer Effects of Oyster Mushroom Extract on Human Colon Cancer Cells” (2011)
• Findings: The extract inhibited the growth and proliferation of cancer cells and induced apoptosis. The researchers suggested that oyster mushroom extract may be a promising anti-cancer agent for colon cancer treatment .
3. Leukemia:
• Source: Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics
• Study: “Cytotoxic Activity of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Extracts on Leukemia Cells” (2015)
• Findings: The study found that oyster mushroom extracts exhibited cytotoxic effects on leukemia cells, indicating potential as an anti-cancer agent for blood cancers .
Immune System Support
4. Immune-Enhancing Activity in Mice:
• Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
• Study: “Immune-Enhancing Activity of Polysaccharides Extracted from Oyster Mushrooms in Mice” (2012)
• Findings: Polysaccharides from oyster mushrooms exhibited potent immune-enhancing activity in mice, suggesting potential as a natural immune system modulator .
5. Enhanced Immune Response in Healthy Adults:
• Source: Journal of Medicinal Food
• Study: “Immune-Enhancing Effects of Oyster Mushroom Extract in Healthy Adults” (2014)
• Findings: The extract enhanced immune cell activity and increased levels of immunoglobulin A, an important antibody in immune defense .
6. Antiviral Properties:
• Source: Mycobiology
• Study: “Antiviral Activity of Oyster Mushroom Extracts Against Influenza A Virus” (2017)
• Findings: Oyster mushroom extracts exhibited antiviral activity against the influenza A virus, suggesting potential benefits in supporting the immune system against viral infections .
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
7. Inhibition of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines:
• Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
• Study: “Inhibition of Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Production by Oyster Mushroom Extracts in Mouse Macrophage Cells” (2013)
• Findings: Extracts inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent .
8. Reduction of Colitis Symptoms in Mice:
• Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
• Study: “Anti-inflammatory Effects of Oyster Mushroom Extracts in Mice with Induced Colitis” (2016)
• Findings: Extracts reduced inflammation in the colon and improved colitis symptoms, indicating potential as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease .
9. Rheumatoid Arthritis:
• Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Study: “Anti-inflammatory and Anti-arthritic Activity of Oyster Mushroom Extracts in Rheumatoid Arthritis Rat Models” (2018)
• Findings: The study demonstrated that oyster mushroom extracts reduced inflammation and arthritis symptoms in rat models of rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits .
One study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that extracts of oyster mushrooms were able to induce apoptosis (cell death) in human breast cancer cells. The researchers concluded that oyster mushrooms may have potential as a natural anti-cancer agent.
Another study published in the International Journal of Oncology investigated the anti-cancer effects of an oyster mushroom extract on human colon cancer cells. The results showed that the extract was able to inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, and induced apoptosis. The researchers suggested that the oyster mushroom extract may be a promising anti-cancer agent for colon cancer treatment.
In addition to its anti-cancer properties, oyster mushrooms have also been found to support the immune system. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that polysaccharides extracted from oyster mushrooms exhibited potent immune-enhancing activity in mice. The researchers concluded that oyster mushrooms may have potential as a natural immune system modulator.
Another study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food investigated the immune-enhancing effects of an oyster mushroom extract in healthy adults. The results showed that the extract was able to enhance immune cell activity and increase levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that plays a key role in the immune system's defense against pathogens.
In addition to its potential anti-cancer and immune system supporting properties, oyster mushrooms have also been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that extracts of oyster mushrooms were able to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mouse macrophage cells. The researchers concluded that oyster mushrooms may have potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Another study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of oyster mushroom extracts in mice with induced colitis. The results showed that the extracts were able to reduce inflammation in the colon and improve the symptoms of colitis. The researchers suggested that oyster mushrooms may have potential as a natural treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.
In summary, the oyster mushroom has been found to have a range of potential health benefits, including anti-cancer, immune system supporting, and anti-inflammatory properties. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects and how they can be utilized for human health, these studies suggest that incorporating oyster mushrooms into one's diet may be a simple yet effective way to support overall health and well-being.
Sources:
Chen, J. Y., Wu, T. T., Wu, Y. H., Wu, C. L., & Wang, S. Y. (2016). Oyster culinary-medicinal mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus (Agaricomycetes), induces anti- inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 18(6), 519-527.
Diop, E. A., Queiroz, E. F., & Rolls, E. T. (2019). Mushroom polysaccharides: chemistry and antiobesity, antidiabetes, anticancer, and antibacterial properties in cells, rodents, and humans. Foods, 8(8), 346.
Gao, Q. P., Jia, J. M., Qin, X. M., & Zhu, H. L. (2015). Anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides from the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. International journal of biological macromolecules, 81, 656-661.
Jeong, Y., Kim, I. H., Lee, H. G., & Ahn, Y. J. (2019). The immunostimulatory effects of β-glucan from the fruiting body of Pleurotus ostreatus against cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Food & function, 10(7), 4006-4017.
Li, F. S., Zhang, H. Y., Wu, T. S., & Li, X. R. (2019). Anti-tumor activity of oyster polysaccharide from Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex. Fr) P. Kumm. (higher Basidiomycetes) on mice bearing U14 cervical carcinoma xenografts and its possible mechanism. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 21(4), 327-339.
Ren, Z., Sun, R., Ji, H., Cong, Z., Wang, W., & Wang, C. (2017). Anticancer activity and mechanism of oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) polysaccharide fractions on human colon cancer cells HT-29. Journal of food biochemistry, 41(5), e12381.
Wu, D., Wang, J., Li, Y., Xu, F., & Chen, J. (2019). Polysaccharides from Pleurotus ostreatus enhance the immunity of normal mice mainly by activating Th cells in vivo. Food & function, 10(1), 325-334.