Pleurotus Pulmonarius

Other names : Indian Oyster, Phoenix Mushroom, Lung Oyster

Benefits and uses of Pleurotus Pulmonarius are

• A polysaccharide called β-D-Glucan (see beta glucan) from P. pulmonarius reduces sensitivity to pain in mice and could be an "attractive" basis for new analgesic medications.
• In a different study on mice, a glucan from P. pulmonarius showed potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• A methanol extract of P. pulmonarius displayed anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity comparable to the standard reference drugs diclofenac and cisplatin, respectively.
• A 2010 study concluded that extracts of P. pulmonarius may slow the proliferation of cancer cells with high galectin-3 levels, while at the same time downregulate tumour cell adherence - which is directly related to the progression and spread of cancer. Extracts of P. pulmonarius added to the diet of mice delayed carcinogenesis, suggesting that these extracts may be useful as an adjuvant to cancer therapies.
• An orally administered hot water extract of P. pulmonarius had a significant antihyperglycemic effect, halted the progression of diabetes, and reduced the mortality of alloxan induced diabetic mice by approximately 50%. It showed a synergistic effect with the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide, supporting the possibility of effective combination therapy of glibenclamide and P. pulmonarius for diabetes.
• P. pulmonarius may be effective in the treatment of hay fever by inhibiting the release of histamine. Powdered P. pulmonarius mushrooms caused a significant reduction in sneezing and nasal rubbing when fed in water to sensitized mice, although the effect gradually builds up over a matter of weeks. When they were given 500 mg/kg a day, a significant effect was observed after two weeks, and it was four weeks before a significant change was observed at 200 mg/kg.
• Extracts of P. pulmonarius attenuated the development of acute colitis in a mouse model, suggesting a possible clinical use in the treatment of colitis.
• A further study by the same authors concluded that the extracts also inhibit colon cancer formation associated with colitis in mice.
• Extracts of P. pulmonarius have antimicrobial properties and exhibit antioxidant activity in vitro.
• Source of Beta glucan