Polysaccharide-K

PSK/Drug Interactions:

  • Antiangiogenic drugsAntiangiogenic drugs: Based on in vivo study, antiangiogenic properties (inhibiting new blood vessel growth) have been proposed (58).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Thrombocytopenia has been observed in clinical study (27; 51). It should be noted that patients also received chemotherapy in addition to PSK in these trials; thus the hematologic effects may be attributed to either PSK or chemotherapy. Nevertheless, caution is advised when using anticoagulants or antiplatelets with PSK.
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: PSK may have protective effects in experimental Candida albicans (45).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: PSK has been found inhibit tumor cell motility as well as chemotactic activity for macrophages (59). It has been found to activate the classical and alternative pathways of the complement cascade (60; 61).
  • Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: Liver function impairment and toxicity has been reported in humans (27; 51). Caution is advised when using PSK with other agents that may cause liver damage.
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: PSK has been found to have various effects on the immune system. It has been found inhibit tumor cell motility as well as chemotactic activity for macrophages (59). It has been found to activate the classical and alternative pathways of the complement cascade (60; 61). In humans, PSK is considered to exert an immunopotentiating effect on T-lymphocytes (1). Various animal and human trials show that numerous markers of immunosuppression were lower in groups receiving PSK (24; 28; 31; 42; 20; 39; 18).

    • PSK/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Antiangiogenic herbsAntiangiogenic herbs: Based on in vivo study, antiangiogenic properties (inhibiting new blood vessel growth) have been proposed (58).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Thrombocytopenia has been observed in clinical study (27; 51). It should be noted that patients also received chemotherapy in addition to PSK in these trials; thus the hematologic effects may be attributed to either PSK or chemotherapy. Nevertheless, caution is advised when using anticoagulants or antiplatelets with PSK.
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: In tumor-bearing mice, PSK has demonstrated a protective effect on sublethal inoculation with Candida albicans; this effect is possibly mediated by Th1 cell functions (45).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: PSK has been found inhibit tumor cell motility as well as chemotactic activity for macrophages (59). It has been found to activate the classical and alternative pathways of the complement cascade (60; 61).
  • Hepatotoxic herbs and supplementsHepatotoxic herbs and supplements: Liver function impairment and toxicity has been reported in humans (27; 51). Caution is advised when using PSK with other agents that may cause liver damage.
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: PSK has been found to have various effects on the immune system. It has been found inhibit tumor cell motility as well as chemotactic activity for macrophages (59). It has been found to activate the classical and alternative pathways of the complement cascade (60; 61). In humans, PSK is considered to exert an immunopotentiating effect on T-lymphocytes (1). Various animal and human trials show that numerous markers of immunosuppression were lower in groups receiving PSK (24; 28; 31; 42; 20; 39; 18).

    • PSK/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • PSK/Lab Interactions:

  • Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: Thrombocytopenia has been observed in clinical trials (27; 51). It should be noted that patients also received chemotherapy in addition to PSK in these trials; thus, the hematologic effects may be attributed to either PSK or chemotherapy.
  • Liver function enzymesLiver function enzymes: Liver function impairment and toxicity has been reported in clinical trials (27; 51).
  • UrinalysisUrinalysis: Albuminuria has been observed in clinical trials (27; 51). It should be noted that patients also received chemotherapy in addition to PSK in these trials; thus, the hematologic effects may be attributed to either PSK or chemotherapy.
  • White blood cell countsWhite blood cell counts: Leukopenia has been observed in clinical trials (27; 51). It should be noted that patients also received chemotherapy in addition to PSK in these trials; thus, the hematologic effects may be attributed to either PSK or chemotherapy.