Herbal/Plant Therapies:
Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa)

Natural Standard Monograph, Copyright © 2008. Commercial distribution prohibited. This monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Evidence | Dosing | Safety | Interactions | Updates | Selected References

Related terms: Beta-glucan, cloud mushroom, dancing mushroom, grifolan, Grifron Pro Maitake D-Fraction Extract®, king of mushroom, Maitake Gold 404®, MDF, MD-fraction, My-take.

Background: Maitake is the Japanese name for the edible fungus Grifola frondosa, which is characterized by a large fruiting body and overlapping caps. Maitake has been used traditionally both as a food and for medicinal purposes. Polysaccharide constituents of maitake have been associated with multiple bioactive properties in animal studies. Extracts of maitake mushroom, and particularly the beta-glucan polysaccharide constituent, have been associated with immune modulation in pre-clinical studies and are hypothesized to exert anti-tumor effects as a result of their immune properties. Human data are limited and at this time, there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of oral maitake for any indication.

Evidence

*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 against this use (it may not work); F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work).

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (18 years and older)
As capsules, tablets or liquid extract, doses of beta-glucan from maitake range from 0.5 to one milligram per kilogram daily, taken in divided doses. Few studies in humans are available, and it is not known what doses may be safe or effective.It is not known what doses of raw mushroom are safe or effective.

Children (younger than 18 years)
Little information is available about the safety of maitake in children. Therefore, its use cannot be recommended.

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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.

Allergies
A case report exists of hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with maitake mushroom.

Side Effects and Warnings
Maitake has not been studied thoroughly in humans and its effects are not well known. Because it has been used historically as a food, it is thought that low doses may be safe. Studies in animals suggest that it may lower blood pressure. However, no information about these effects is reported for humans. Individuals who take blood pressure medications should use caution. Animal studies report that maitake may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia and in those taking drugs, herbs or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may need to be monitored by a healthcare professional, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Little is known about the safety of maitake in pregnancy and breastfeeding and therefore its use as a supplement cannot be recommended.

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Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments or traditional use. 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.

Interactions with Drugs
Based on animal studies, maitake may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional. Medication adjustments may be necessary. Animal studies suggest that maitake may lower blood pressure. Persons taking medications for blood pressure should use caution and should first discuss the use of maitake with a qualified healthcare professional.

Use cautiously if taking drugs that affect the immune system, including interferons, because maitake may boost the immune response. Maitake may also increase the effects of antiviral or anti-cancer drugs.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements
Based on animal studies, maitake may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment. Animal studies suggest that maitake may lower blood pressure. Use cautiously when combining maitake with herbs that can lower blood pressure.

Use cautiously if taking herbs or supplements that affect the immune system because maitake may boost the immune response. Maitake may increase the effects of antiviral or anti-cancer herbs or supplements.

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Last updated: February 2008.
This patient information is based on a professional level monograph edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.

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Selected References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to Natural Standard on the Web. Selected references about effectiveness are listed below.

1. Fullerton SA, Samadi AA, Tortorelis DG et al. Induction of apoptosis in human prostatic cancer cells with beta-glucan (Maitake mushroom polysaccharide). Mol Urol 2000;4(1):7-13.
2. Cui FJ, Li Y, Xu YY et al. Induction of apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells by polysaccharide-peptide GFPS1b from the cultured mycelia of Grifola frondosa GF9801. Toxicol In Vitro 2007 Apr;21(3):417-27.
3. Cui FJ, Tao WY, Xu ZH et al. Structural analysis of anti-tumor heteropolysaccharide GFPS1b from the cultured mycelia of Grifola frondosa GF9801. Bioresour Technol 2007 Jan;98(2):395-401.
4. Gu CQ, Li J, Chao FH. Inhibition of hepatitis B virus by D-fraction from Grifola frondosa: synergistic effect of combination with interferon-alpha in HepG2 2.2.15. Antiviral Res 2006 Nov;72(2):162-5.
5. Gu CQ, Li JW, Chao F et al. Isolation, identification and function of a novel anti-HSV-1 protein from Grifola frondosa. Antiviral Res 2007 Sep;75(3):250-7.
6. Hong L, Xun M, Wutong W. Anti-diabetic effect of an alpha-glucan from fruit body of maitake (Grifola frondosa) on KK-Ay mice. J Pharm Pharmacol 2007 Apr;59(4):575-82.
7. Kodama N, Komuta K, Nanba H. Effect of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) D-Fraction on the activation of NK cells in cancer patients. J Med.Food 2003;6(4):371-377.
8. Konno S. Potential growth inhibitory effect of maitake D-fraction on canine cancer cells. Vet Ther 2004;5(4):263-271.
9. Kubo K, Nanba H. Anti-hyperliposis effect of maitake fruit body (Grifola frondosa). I. Biol Pharm Bull 1997;20(7):781-785.
10. Li X, Rong J, Wu M et al. [Anti-tumor effect of polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa and its influence on immunological function]. Zhong Yao Cai 2003;26(1):31-32.
11. Lin JT, Liu WH. o-Orsellinaldehyde from the submerged culture of the edible mushroom Grifola frondosa exhibits selective cytotoxic effect against Hep 3B cells through apoptosis. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Oct 4;54(20):7564-9.
12. Matsui K, Kodama N, Nanba H. Effects of maitake (Grifola frondosa) D-Fraction on the carcinoma angiogenesis. Cancer Lett 10-30-2001;172(2):193-198.
13. Preuss HG, Echard B, Bagchi D et al. Enhanced insulin-hypoglycemic activity in rats consuming a specific glycoprotein extracted from maitake mushroom. Mol Cell Biochem 2007 Dec;306(1-2):105-13.
14. Wu MJ, Cheng TL, Cheng SY et al. Immunomodulatory properties of Grifola frondosa in submerged culture. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Apr 19;54(8):2906-14.
15. 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. 2007 Aug 1;41(3):227-33.