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Immunity and PSK

Immunity and Trametes PSK

The Covid-19 pandemic has alerted people to the need to support immune system health. Vaccination has been a key element in providing protection by reducing the severity of the symptoms and minimising the need for hospitalisation in vulnerable individuals. The focus is now on booster injections, following a similar routine for annual vaccination as is deemed necessary for influenza. Time will show whether the immunity provided by the present regime of vaccine doses will give long-term protection.

Attention is also moving toward alternative measures we can implement that keep the immune system healthy. As we age, the body’s capacity to ward off viruses and bacteria diminishes, and we can become more liable to suffer their effects. A good diet that provides vitamins, minerals and other supplements is vital to help keep the immune system working satisfactorily.

For many years research on immune function and various immunological approaches for treating many diseases has continued. Covid-19 has provided a focus for the search for new agents and examination of the role of traditional supplements.

For example, a recent item (1) on this subject suggested that among the supplements reported to boost one’s immune system to fight off Covid-19, the best may be: 1. Vitamin D · 2. Zinc · 3. Vitamin C · 4. Elderberry · 5. Medicinal mushrooms.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Among the medicinal mushrooms, Turkey Tail (scientific name Trametes versicolor, also known as Coriolus versicolor, and Yun Zhi) has been the subject of a substantial body of research demonstrating its capacity to beneficially boost a number of immune system biomarkers, including gamma-interferon, interleukin-2 and T-cells.

Extracts of Trametes versicolor have been available for years, particularly since its application as an adjuvant called PSK, Polysaccharide-K or Polysaccharide Krestin in cancer therapy in Japan in the 1980s. A chemically equivalent extract is also available in China (produced using a specific multi-step extraction process).

Modern production methods in a pharmaceutical plant now prepare PSK by hot water extraction of the biomass (mycelial hyphae) following controlled culture in a fermentation vessel.

Beta-Glucans

About half the mass of the cell wall at the mycelial stage in the growth cycle of Trametes versicolor consists of β-D-glucans. Consequentially, the most productive yield of these non-cellulosic compounds is obtained by harvesting and hot water extraction at this stage, rather than later when the fruiting bodies have developed. Also important is that there is more control over the purity of the extract when the cells are grown in a suspended liquid culture medium. Fruiting bodies of mushrooms are grown on a solid supporting substrate that introduces other potentially contaminating components. Mushrooms harvested in the wild are likely inconsistent in their content; they may be contaminated with heavy metals and are considered unsuitable for modern pharmaceutical use.

β-Glucans are not synthesised by humans, so these compounds are recognised by our immune systems as non-self molecules, inducing both innate and adaptive immune responses. The mechanism of action appears to depend on their capability to bind to cell receptors, probably through the protein component of the structure. This event then leads to the activation of multiple signal pathways, which in turn promote immune responses in the affected cells. (2)

β-glucans have been tested as adjuvant therapy in clinical trials, mainly in the Far East, using extracts from mushrooms, yeast or other sources which contain β-glucan as a key component with a positive effect on patient survival and quality of life. The mechanism of action is suggested to be through its stimulation of the immune system. (3)

A pilot study in India has reported that intake of two strains of ß-glucans derived from the Aeurobasidium pullans fungus can lower cytokine storm and coagulopathy biomarkers in COVID-19 patients. These are markers associated with development of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19. (4)

A Role for PSK?

This positive result, albeit preliminary, should stimulate research examining the activity of other ß-Glucan containing natural extracts in the treatment of not only the COVID-19 virus, but also other viral infections. Given the large body of research supporting the role of PSK in supporting immune function biomarkers, plus the fact that PSK has a high content of ß-Glucan (approx.. 70%) strongly suggest that it would have a role in protection against such viral infections. There is a substantial body of anecdotal evidence to support such a proposition. (5)

Indeed, a year-long clinical study has been announced to test this hypothesis by Dr Gordon Saxe at the University of California, as follows:

Multicenter Double Blind, Placebo Controlled RCT of Fomitopsis Officinalis and Trametes Versicolor to Treat COVID-19

References:

(1) https://www.healthline.com › nutrition › immune-boosting-supplements
(2) J Chen and R Seviour, Mycological Research, 111, 635-652 (2007)
(3) Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
(Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry – Anti-Cancer Agents) Volume 13, Issue 5, 2013 DOI: 10.2174/1871520611313050005
(4) https://www.nutraingredients-asia.com/Article/2021/09/21/
(5) M H Saleh, I Rashedi, A Keating, Frontiers in Immunology, 2017, 8, 1087-1102.

Trametes Medicinal Mushroom – A Valued Medicine from History

History of Mushrooms

Throughout history Mushrooms have been an essential source of food & herbal medicine for centuries. They are nutrient-rich, containing essential amino acids, minerals, dietary fibre, and many bioactive compounds. Medicinal mushrooms have been used in many different cultures, but they were especially valued In China, Korea & Japan. In China, medicinal mushrooms were used at least 2000 years ago by Chinese healers. As knowledge developed, specific species became highly valued as mushroom medicines. Of the 20,000 species recorded, one is the best known commercially for its medicinal applications.

Trametes versicolor – Why is it called the turkey tail mushroom?

This highly valued medicinal mushroom is called Trametes Versicolor. It is known as Coriolus Versicolor, Yun Zhi (Cloud Mushroom), Kawaratake (Mushroom by the River) Polystictus Versicolor. More recently, however, it has also become known as the Turkey Tail mushroom due to the fanlike wavy bands of dark and light colours that resemble a Turkey’s Tail.

Trametes Versicolor, when found in the wild, will often grow in dense overlapping clusters on dead or living trees. They may be found in cool wooded temperate regions of forest and can sometimes have a velvety surface.

Can you eat Trametes versicolor?

They are not in the same category as culinary mushrooms, such as a delicious, buttery, soft white button, or oyster mushroom many of us enjoy on a grilled piece of sourdough. The Trametes Versicolor medicinal mushroom has a rubbery fruiting body that is quite difficult to eat. So how can you gain a benefit from this medicinal mushroom? It’s all in the preparation, which goes back to its early medical use as a herbal Tea.

Preparation as a Herbal Tea to Dispel dampness

Dating back at least two millennia, traditional herbalists would gather Trametes Versicolor mushrooms from the forest. The fruit body was then dried and ground into a powder; herbalists would then take this powder and make it into tea. This simple hot water decoction prepared according to the traditional Chinese pharmacopoeia was used to dispel dampness, which means a body with excessive moisture. In simple terms, this could be like saying a body was waterlogged.

Many things can cause this excess water, including the food we eat or even environmental moisture, making the body more susceptible to developing dampness.

Mushroom Medicine – Polysaccharides help support the immune system

After many years of medicinal use, the Trametes Versicolor mushroom developed a reputation for a range of therapeutic benefits. Researchers eventually discovered that the main therapeutic ingredients in these extracts are complex polysaccharides, including those bound to core proteins. It was the polysaccharides bound to proteins that appeared to be intricately linked to immune system enhancement.

Thanks to Traditional Herbalists who passed on their knowledge from generation to generation, they laid the groundwork for future research into the world of mushroom medicine.

Kawaratake or Yun Zhi – A Mushroom Herbal Tea with Profound Potential for Health Benefit

Trametes Versicolor is known as ‘Yunzhi’ or cloud mushroom in China and “Kawaratake” or mushroom by the river in Japan

A Herbal Tea used in Traditional Medicine to Reduce Dampness & Phlegm

In many cultures, certain mushroom species have been long recognised to have a profound potential for health-promoting benefits. In China, Korea and Japan, hot water extracts from these mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine.

Of all the commercially available mushrooms used for their medicinal properties, including Lentinus edodes (shitake mushroom), Trametes versicolor, Grifola frondosa (maitake), Pleurous ostreatus, Schizophyllum commune and Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), the one most thoroughly researched by scientists worldwide is Trametes versicolor (also known as Coriolus versicolor), commonly called “turkey tail mushroom” outside Asia. Trametes versicolor mushroom has a long history of medicinal usage, dating back at least two millennia. In China, Trametes versicolor is known as ‘Yunzhi’ (cloud mushroom) and in Japan, it is known as “Kawaratake” (mushroom by the river). The mushrooms are gathered in the wild, growing as dense and overlapping clusters of fruiting bodies on dead or living trees. The plush brownish mushroom caps have a velvety surface with a distinctive pattern of wavy bands of dark and light colour. Trametes versicolor is also found throughout Europe and North America’s cool wooded temperate regions.

Historically, Chinese and Japanese herbalists harvest the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms, which are then dried, ground to a powder and made into tea. This simple hot water decoction or tea prepared according to the traditional Chinese pharmacopoeias was used to ‘dispel dampness and reduce phlegm’ (meaning to deal with liquids and oils that are not adequately metabolised thus becoming toxic), to treat respiratory tract infection and support liver health.

In Japan, many health practitioners value the use the medicinal mushrooms to treat a variety of conditions.

References

Lindequist U, Niedermeyer TH, Julich TH (2005). The pharmacological potential
of mushrooms. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2 (3):
285-299.
Tsukagoshi S, Hashimoto Y, Fujii G, Kobayashi H, Nomoto K, Orita K. Krestin
(PSK). Cancer Treatment Reviews. 1984; 11:131-155.
Machara Y, Tsujitani S, Sacki H et al. (2012). Biological mechanism and clinical
effect of protein-bound polysaccharide K (KRESTINTM): review of development
and future perspectives. Surg Today. 42:8-28.
Yamakido M, Ishioka S, Matsuzaka S et al. (1984). Changes of human
immunological parameters by PSK administration. Hiroshima J Med Sciences.
33(4): 793-800.
Kato M, Hirose K, Hakzaki M, Ohno M et al 1995. Induction of gene expression
for immunomodulating cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response
to orally administered PSK, an immunomodulating protein-bound polysaccharide.
Cancer Immunol Immunother 1995; 40: 152-156.
CIMER – Coriolus versicolor Detailed Scientific Review- MD Anderson Cancer
Centre. © 2011 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
http//www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/resources

PSK Improve Immune Response Fast

PSK Stimulates an Immune Response within 24 Hours

Over the past decades there have been hundreds of research studies on Trametes versicolor that indicate immune boosting properties and different medicinal effects and benefits. Many studies focus on supporting a patients through Immune suppressive treatments.

Other research however has shown an increase in white blood cells and improved cellular Immune Function in healthy people with depressed immunity.

Another study demonstrated PSK’s ability to stimulate an immune response within 24 hours of ingestion. That means the day you take it, PSK begins distributing particles around the body getting to work supporting the body’s immune system.

These two studies have shown the potential that Trametes PSK has to support our immune system health & wellbeing quickly & effectively.

Overview of Research Studies

In the last 40 years, there has been extensive work carried out on the biological and chemical properties of PSK. Research has demonstrated PSK has the potential for wide-ranging effects on the human immune system.

Improved Immune Function in an Individual with Depressed Immunity

This PSK study showed the potential to stimulate a significant immune response in healthy subjects with depressed immunity.

When workers were given 3 grams a day of PSK for eight weeks, workers from a Japanese chemical plant had a significant enhancement of natural killer cells activity. There was an increase in white blood cells, and PSK improved their body’s cellular immune function.

The researchers concluded that PSK ‘potentiates the immunity of individuals with depressed immunity.’

Stimulated Immune Response in 24 Hours

Another study was interesting because it is not uncommon for herbal medicines to require days/weeks to pass by before they start to have an affect. This study however, showed PSK stimulated a significant immune response within 24 hours when given to both healthy volunteers and patients.

PSK References

Please find below references on these two research studies if you would like to dig a little deeper.

Yamakido M, Ishioka S, Matsuzaka S et al. (1984). Changes of human immunological parameters by PSK administration. Hiroshima J Med Sciences. 33(4): 793-800.
Kato M, Hirose K, Hakzaki M, Ohno M et al 1995. Induction of gene expression for immunomodulating cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to orally administered PSK, an immunomodulating protein-bound polysaccharide. Cancer Immunol Immunother 1995; 40: 152-156.