Phellinus Linteus
Encyclopedia
Phellinus linteus is a medicinal mushroom used in Japan
, Korea
and China
. It is shaped like a hoof, has a bitter taste, and in the wild grows on mulberry
trees. The stem's
color ranges from dark brown to black. In Korean traditional medicine, the mushroom is consumed in the form of hot tea.
Early research has suggested that Phellinus linteus has anti-breast cancer
activity.
A paper published by Harvard Medical School
reported that Phellinus linteus is a promising anti-cancer agent, but that more research is required to understand the mechanisms behind its anti-cancer activity.
Interfungins A, a compound isolated from the fruiting body of P. linteus, is a potent inhibitor of protein glycation
.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It is shaped like a hoof, has a bitter taste, and in the wild grows on mulberry
Mulberry
Morus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Moraceae. The 10–16 species of deciduous trees it contains are commonly known as Mulberries....
trees. The stem's
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
color ranges from dark brown to black. In Korean traditional medicine, the mushroom is consumed in the form of hot tea.
Early research has suggested that Phellinus linteus has anti-breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
activity.
A paper published by Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
reported that Phellinus linteus is a promising anti-cancer agent, but that more research is required to understand the mechanisms behind its anti-cancer activity.
Interfungins A, a compound isolated from the fruiting body of P. linteus, is a potent inhibitor of protein glycation
Glycation
Glycation is the result of the bonding of a protein or lipid molecule with a sugar molecule, such as fructose or glucose, without the controlling action of an enzyme. All blood sugars are reducing molecules. Glycation may occur either inside the body or outside the body...
.
Further reading
- Cho, S.H. “The Effects of Mesima-Ex, the Immunomodulator in Curatively Resected Gastric Cancer”, Journal of Korean Cancer Association (1997),29(5):800-806.
- Ikekawa, T. et al. “Antitumor action of some Basidiomycetes, especially Phellinus linteus”, Gann (1968),59(2):155-157.
- Kim, S. “Anti-tumor Effects of Mesima EX in Various Types of Cancer Patients”, Journal of Korean Cancer Association (1991),23(2):211-217.
- Song, K.-S. et al. ”Protein-bound polysaccharide from Phellinus linteus inhibits tumor growth, invasion, and angiogenesis and alters Wnt/β-catenin in SW480 human colon cancer cells”, BMC Cancer (2011),11:307.
- Tsuji, T. et al. ”Phellinus Linteus Extract Sensitizes Advanced Prostate Cancer Cells to Apoptosis in Athymic Nude Mice”, PLoS ONE (2010),5(3):e9885.
External links
- Reuters UK article on use of Phellinus linteus in fighting breast cancer cells
- Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Therapeutic Properties and Current Medical Usage with Special Emphasis on Cancer Treatments by Cancer Research UK (the American equivalent to the US National Cancer Institute), 2001, Richard Sullivan
- Scientific Studies on Phellinus linteus (PubMed)