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Agaricus KA21 Expert Explains Health Benefits

Learn about Agaricus KA21's unique health benefits from a leading expert, PhD. Naohito Ohno, Tokyo University of Pharmacy & Life Sciences.

We interviewed PhD. Naohito Ohno, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo University of Pharmacy & Life Sciences, who has been conducting joint research on Agaricus KA21 (KA21 strain grown in open fields in Brazil) for many years. Dr. Ohno's laboratory has conducted various studies on the immune-enhancing mechanism of Agaricus KA21, and has published several papers and presentations at academic conferences.

About Agaricus KA21

Tell us about your research achievements on Agaricus KA21.

We have been conducting research on Agaricus KA21 for more than 25 years, starting from the beginning when Agaricus first attracted attention. The results of our research have been presented at domestic Japanese and international conferences such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, the International Society for Immunology, and the International Society for Medicinal Mushroom Research, and we have published 28 international papers on the safety and efficacy of Agaricus KA21. (As of July 2022)

What are the features of Agaricus KA21?

 In general, the composition of Agaricus varies greatly depending on the strain, production area, and growing conditions.

Agaricus KA21, which was cultivated in open fields in Brazil using KA21 strain, was analyzed by the Japan Food Research Institute and found to contain a large amount of protein and dietary fiber. It was also confirmed that they contain large amounts of minerals such as iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium.

Compared to ordinary house-grown Agaricus, the Agaricus KA21 grown in the open under sunlight was found to be much larger in size and contained 1.5 times more β-glucan, the main component, and more vitamin D.

Left: Greenhouse cultivation. Right: Agaricus KA21.

Left: Agaricus KA21. Right: Green house Agaricus.

Japanese, β-glucan, vitamin D, Agaricus KA21, house cultivation

Antioxidant activity was measured and found to be 2-4 times stronger than that of greenhouse-grown (Japanese and Brazilian) plants.

Agaricus KA21, Brazilian house, changed to Japanese house

How safe is Agaricus KA21?

 Regarding the safety of Agaricus KA21, a pesticide residue test and heavy metal analysis were conducted, and no pesticide residue was detected, and the heavy metal content was below the standard value. The safety of Agaricus KA21 was also confirmed in both mice tests and a human clinical test in which 3-6 times the normal dosage was taken for a long period of time (6 months).

Regarding validity

A4. We have published the following research results:

  1. Mechanism by which Agaricus activates the immune system
  2. Elevated antibody titer against fungi (elevated anti-β-glucan antibody titer)
  3. For use in cancer drug treatments to reduce side effects.

Please explain the mechanism by which Agaricus enhances immunity.

First of all, all mushrooms, including Agaricus, but are classified as fungi-like molds, not vegetables. The mycelium of Agaricus is different to that of fungi, but if you look at a picture of it, you will see that it looks just like Candida, a kind of mold.

Agaricus mycelium Candida

Left: Agaricus mycelium. Right: Candida.

There are two types of molds, those that are beneficial to humans and those that are harmful. Representative of the beneficial ones are the above-mentioned borers, molds used in making alcohol. On the other hand, harmful ones include ringworm, which causes athlete's foot, Candida, which causes mucositis, and malassezia (the causative agent of malassezia dermatitis and otitis externa).

Found in the cell walls of fungi, this group of mushrooms and molds, is a component called β-glucan.

Beta-glucan has various forms (chemical structural formula) depending on the type of mushroom or mold.
Agaricus KA21  Candida albicans
Left: Agaricus KA21. Right：Candida albicans.

What you should see here is that the β-glucan in Agaricus is very similar in structure to that of Candida, a pathogenic fungus.

What happens when the beta-glucan is ingested?

So what happens when this beta-glucan is ingested? Unlike other nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.), most β-glucan reaches the intestinal tract without being absorbed.

And in the intestinal tract, immune cells (macrophages and cells) are constantly preparing for external enemies (such as pathogens).
Once the β-glucan from Agaricus reaches the intestinal tract, as mentioned earlier, the structural formula of Agaricus β-glucan and Candida is very similar, so the immune cells recognize β-glucan as a foreign enemy.
As a result, immune cells in the whole body are activated, not just in the intestinal tract, and they attack both pathogens that have invaded the body and foreign substances generated in the body (cancer cells). In addition, antibodies against fungi are then produced, which may be useful in preventing fungal infections such as Candida and Trichophyton (or Malassezia in the veterinary field).
In academic terms, 1,3-glucan of Agaricus binds to receptors called Dectin1 in dendritic cells and macrophages, and IL12, IFN-γ, etc. are released from dendritic cells and other cells, thereby activating various immune cells.

The result of ingestion is immune cell stimulation

While general supplements are effective when absorbed into the body, the main immune-enhancing mechanism of Agaricus β-glucan is not absorption, but immune cell stimulation.

Agaricus activates the immune system through this unique mechanism, and is thought to be effective in supporting cancer patients and protecting them from infection. In terms of support for cancer patients, it has also been confirmed that Agaricus reduces the side effects of anticancer drugs.

Click below for the original research papers on Agaricus KA21:

What should we be aware of when actually using the product?

So far, interactions have not been a problem, but if you experience any, please contact us.

Agaricus KA21 is classified as a food, not a drug, so there are no detailed intake requirements such as interactions. Additionally, its safety has been confirmed in human clinical trials, so you can take it with peace of mind.

Left: Akitomo Motoi, Representative Director & CEO, Toei Shinyaku Co., Ltd.
Right: Dr. Naohito Ohno, Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Pharmacy & Life Sciences

References

1. Biol.Pharm.Bull.24(7)820-828(2001) "Antitumor Β-glucan From the Cultured Fruit Body of Agaricus Blazei."
2. Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine (Oxford Journals) (eCAM Advance Access published April 12, 2007) "Immunomodulating Activity of Agaricus Brasiliensis Ka21 in Mice and Human Volunteers."
3. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, Vol.11(2):117–131(2009) "Effect of Oral Administration of Dried Royal Sun Agaricus, Agaricus brasiliensis S.Wasser et al. (agaricimycetideae), Fruit Bodies on Anti-β-Glucan Antibody Titers in Humans."
4. Journal of the Japanese Society of Medical Mycology, Vol. 51, No. 2 "Anti-fungal Cell Wall β-glucan Antibody in Animal Sera"
5. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 2013;15(2):115–26. "Analysis Of The Titer And Reactivity Of Antibody/ies Against Fungal Cell Wall Β-glucans In Human Sera."
6. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2021;23(2):13–28 "Open-Label Study of the Influence of Food Containing the Royal Sun Mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 (Agaricomycetes), on β-Glucan-Specific Antibody Production in Healthy Human Volunteers."
7. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2020;22(1):31–43 "Outdoor-cultivated Royal Sun Medicinal Mushroom Agaricus Brasiliensis Ka21 (Agaricomycetes) Reduces Anticancer Medicine Side Effects."