Hongo maitake

Related Terms

Beta-glucan, choreimaitake, cloud mushroom, dancing mushroom, D-fraction, edible fungus, exobiopolymers, Grifola albicans, Grifola frondosa (Dicks.) Gray, Grifola frondosa HB0071, Grifola gigantea, Grifola umbellata, Grifola umbellata Pil?t, grifolan, Grifron? Pro D-fraction, Grifron-Pro Maitake D-fraction?, hen-of-the-woods, hongo maitake, king of mushrooms, maitake extract, maitake PETfraction, MDF, MD-fraction, Meripilaceae (family), MSX, my-take, Polyporaceae (family), shiromaitake, SX-fraction, tombimaitake, Zhuling.
Combination product examples: Grifron-Pro Maitake D-Fraction Extract?, Maitake Gold 404?.
Note: Maitake is a Japanese term for Grifola frondosa, the species promoted as having medicinal activity. However, due to confusion in the field, the term may also mean Grifola gigantea, Grifola albicans, and Grifola umbellata. The focus of this monograph is Grifola frondosa.

Background

Maitake is the Japanese name for the fungus Grifola frondosa, which has a large, fruiting body and overlapping caps. Although the term maitake may also be used for Grifola gigantea, Grifola albicans, and Grifola umbellata, most available information is based on Grifola frondosa.
Maitake has been used as a food and as medicine. Compounds and extracts of maitake have been studied for possible immune benefits, including antitumor effects. However, more human studies are needed.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Some early animal studies suggest that maitake extract may stimulate the immune function and have antitumor effects. However, human research is limited. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made on the use of maitake for cancer treatment or prevention.

 C


Some early animal studies suggest that maitake extract may stimulate the immune function and have antitumor effects. However, human research is limited. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made on the use of maitake for cancer treatment or prevention.

 C


Early animal studies suggest that maitake mushroom extract may lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, as well as increase levels of insulin in the blood. However, human evidence is limited. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made on the use of maitake for diabetes.

 C


Early animal studies suggest that maitake mushroom extract may lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, as well as increase levels of insulin in the blood. However, human evidence is limited. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made on the use of maitake for diabetes.

 C


Some early studies found that a compound in maitake may activate the immune system and possibly have antitumor effects. Reliable human evidence is lacking. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made on the possible immune effects of maitake.

 C


Some early studies found that a compound in maitake may activate the immune system and possibly have antitumor effects. Reliable human evidence is lacking. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made on the possible immune effects of maitake.

 C


Early research suggests that maitake mushroom and its extract may benefit women who have polycystic ovary syndrome. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that maitake mushroom and its extract may benefit women who have polycystic ovary syndrome. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)
Beta-glucan from maitake has been taken by mouth in the form of capsules, tablets, or a liquid extract, however, reliable dosing information is lacking. Reliable dosing information is also lacking for raw maitake mushroom.
To improve immune function, maitake extract has been taken by mouth in doses of 0.1-5 milligrams per kilogram, twice daily for three weeks. One drop per kilogram of Grifron-Pro Maitake D-fraction? (Maitake Products, Inc.) has been taken by mouth in three divided doses.
To treat ovulation disorders, 18 milligrams of maitake extract (MSX) plus 250 milligrams of dried maitake mushroom powder (Maitake Products Inc.) have been taken by mouth in the form of three tablets, three times daily between meals beginning on the first day of menstruation for up to 12 weeks or three cycles.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Maitake may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Maitake may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Maitake may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Maitake may also interact with agents that may affect the immune system, agents that may affect light sensitivity, anticancer agents, antivirals, cholesterol-lowering agents, clomiphene citrate, fertility agents, and interferons.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Bae JT, Sim GS, Lee DH, et al. Production of exopolysaccharide from mycelial culture of Grifola frondosa and its inhibitory effect on matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in UV-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts. FEMS Microbiol.Lett 10-15-2005;251(2):347-354.
Chen JT, Tominaga K, Sato Y, et al. Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) extract induces ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a possible monotherapy and a combination therapy after failure with first-line clomiphene citrate. J.Altern.Complement Med. 2010;16(12):1295-1299.
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Deng G, Lin H, Seidman A, et al. A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: immunological effects. J.Cancer Res.Clin.Oncol. 2009;135(9):1215-1221.
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Hanselin MR, Vande Griend JP, and Linnebur SA. INR elevation with maitake extract in combination with warfarin. Ann.Pharmacother. 2010;44(1):223-224.
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Wu MJ, Cheng TL, Cheng SY, et al. Immunomodulatory properties of Grifola frondosa in submerged culture. J Agric.Food Chem 4-19-2006;54(8):2906-2914.
Yang BK, Gu YA, Jeong YT, et al. Chemical characteristics and immuno-modulating activities of exo-biopolymers produced by Grifola frondosa during submerged fermentation process. Int J Biol Macromol. 8-1-2007;41(3):227-233.