Research

Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes Versicolor)

17 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

1
Meta-analyses
2
Systematic reviews
8
RCTs
6
Other studies
Meta-analyses (6%)
Systematic reviews (12%)
RCTs (47%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2022·The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·Karen Pilkington, L Susan Wieland, Lida Teng, et al

Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer.

Systematic reviewn = 1,569Longevity

Systematic review of seven RCTs with 1569 participants assessing the effects of adjunctive Coriolus versicolor on adverse effects and survival during colorectal cancer treatment. The review found very low-certainty evidence of little to no effect on adverse events and low-certainty evidence of a small effect on improved survival at five years.

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2021·Journal of lower genital tract disease·Luis Serrano, Andrés Carlos López, Silvia P González, et al

Efficacy of a Coriolus versicolor-Based Vaginal Gel in Women With Human Papillomavirus-Dependent Cervical Lesions: The PALOMA Study.

RCTn = 91Womens Health Stress

The study evaluated the efficacy of Papilocare, a Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel, in repairing HPV-related low-grade cervical lesions in 91 HPV-positive women. The treatment group showed higher rates of normal Pap smear and HPV clearance compared to the control group, along with increased cervical re-epithelization and reduced perceived stress.

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2015·Integrative cancer therapies·Heidi Fritz, Deborah A Kennedy, Mami Ishii, et al

Polysaccharide K and Coriolus versicolor extracts for lung cancer: a systematic review.

Systematic reviewImmunity Longevity

Systematic review of PSK (Polysaccharide K) derived from Coriolus versicolor for lung cancer treatment. The review included 28 studies, showing PSK's anticancer effects through immunomodulation and tumor inhibition. Randomized controlled trials indicated benefits on immune parameters, survival, and tumor-related symptoms, though some results were conflicting.

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2014·International journal of medicinal mushrooms·Bruno Donatini

Control of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) by medicinal mushrooms, Trametes versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum: a preliminary clinical trial.

RCTn = 61

Preliminary randomized study on the efficacy of medicinal mushrooms Trametes versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum on the clearance of oral HPV16 and HPV18. Group treated with TV+GL showed 88% clearance after 2 months, compared to 5% in the LS group.

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2012·Recent patents on inflammation & allergy drug discovery·Wong L Y Eliza, Cheng K Fai, Leung P Chung

Efficacy of Yun Zhi (Coriolus versicolor) on survival in cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meta-analysisn = 11Longevity

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 clinical trials assessing the efficacy of Yun Zhi (Coriolus versicolor) on survival in cancer patients. Yun Zhi showed a significant survival advantage, with a 9% absolute reduction in 5-year mortality, particularly in breast, gastric, and colorectal cancer patients.

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2005·The American journal of Chinese medicine·Chun-Kwok Wong, Yi-Xi Bao, Eliza Lai-Yi Wong, et al

Immunomodulatory activities of Yunzhi and Danshen in post-treatment breast cancer patients.

RCTn = 82Immunity

RCT evaluating the immunomodulatory effects of Yunzhi-Danshen capsules in 82 post-treatment breast cancer patients. Results showed significant elevation in T-helper lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and B-lymphocytes, with decreased plasma sIL-2R concentration, suggesting improved immunological function.

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2004·International immunopharmacology·C K Wong, P S Tse, E L Y Wong, et al

Immunomodulatory effects of yun zhi and danshen capsules in health subjects--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

RCTn = 100Immunity

RCT of 100 healthy subjects using Yun Zhi and Danshen capsules to assess effects on cellular immunity. Regular consumption significantly elevated PBMC gene expression of IL-2 receptor, increased T helper cell counts, and enhanced Th1 cytokine interferon-gamma production, with no adverse effects on liver, renal, or bone profiles.

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1997·Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology·K Sugimachi, Y Maehara, M Ogawa, et al

Dose intensity of uracil and tegafur in postoperative chemotherapy for patients with poorly differentiated gastric cancer.

RCTn = 224

RCT of postoperative chemotherapy with UFT and protein-bound polysaccharide Kreha (PSK) in 224 patients with poorly differentiated gastric cancer. Higher dose of UFT led to decreased recurrence rate and increased disease-free and cause-specific survival without increased toxicity.

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2017·Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)·Wen Yee Chay, Chee Kian Tham, Han Chong Toh, et al

Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi) Use as Therapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Poor Liver Function or Who Are Unfit for Standard Therapy.

RCTn = 15Immunity

RCT of Coriolus versicolor (CV) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients with poor liver function or unfit for standard therapy. No difference in time to progression compared to placebo, but CV subjects had better quality of life, less appetite loss, and pain symptoms.

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2014·Gut microbes·Kumar Pallav, Scot E Dowd, Javier Villafuerte, et al

Effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial.

RCTn = 24Gut Health

RCT comparing the effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor (PSP) and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of 24 healthy volunteers. PSP led to microbiome changes consistent with prebiotic activity, while amoxicillin caused substantial microbiome changes, including an increase in Escherichia/Shigella, with effects persisting for weeks.

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2007·Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy·Jean Paul A Nicandro, Candy Tsourounis, Lynda Frassetto, et al

In vivo effect of I'm-Yunity on hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4.

RCTn = 12

This study evaluated the effect of I'm-Yunity (Coriolus versicolor) on hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) in 12 healthy adults using the erythromycin breath test. Results showed no significant change in CYP3A4 activity after 14 days of I'm-Yunity administration, suggesting it does not significantly inhibit or induce CYP3A4.

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2023·Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie·Rocky Lowenthal, Megan Taylor, J. Gidden, et al

The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor synn. Coriolus versicolor (Turkey tail mushroom) exhibit anti-melanoma activity in vitro

In vitro

In vitro study demonstrating that Trametes versicolor fruiting body and mycelium ethanol extracts exhibit potent cytotoxic activity towards human melanoma cell lines A375 and SK-MEL-5. The mycelium extract induced apoptotic cell death, upregulated autophagy markers, and inhibited cell migration in SK-MEL-5 cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential for melanoma treatment.

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2023·Scientific Reports·Homa Nath Sharma, Jonathan Catrett, Ogechi Destiny Nwokeocha, et al

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom extract

In vitro

In vitro study assessing the effect of Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom extract on Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites growth. The extract inhibited tachyzoites growth and induced reactive oxygen species production, suggesting potential as a source for anti-Toxoplasma gondii drug development. The extract was non-cytotoxic to human foreskin fibroblasts.

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2024·Discover Applied Sciences·Emma Camilleri, R. Blundell, Bikash Baral, et al

A comprehensive review on the health benefits, phytochemicals, and enzymatic constituents for potential therapeutic and industrial applications of Turkey tail mushrooms

ReviewImmunity Inflammation

This comprehensive literature review explores the health benefits and phytochemical constituents of turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor). It highlights the mushroom's therapeutic potential, focusing on anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and immunomodulatory activities, and examines the mechanisms of action of its bioactive compounds and enzymatic constituents.

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2023·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·T. Jędrzejewski, M. Pawlikowska, Justyna Sobocińska, et al

COVID-19 and Cancer Diseases—The Potential of Coriolus versicolor Mushroom to Combat Global Health Challenges

ReviewImmunity

Narrative review analyzing the anti-cancer and anti-viral actions of Coriolus versicolor (CV), focusing on its immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms on cancer cells and angiogenesis. The potential use of CV compounds in anti-viral treatment, including COVID-19, is also discussed.

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2019·BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine·K. Benson, P. Stamets, Renee Davis, et al

The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom and its fermented substrate each show potent and complementary immune activating properties in vitro

In vitroImmunity

In vitro study evaluating the immune-modulating properties of Trametes versicolor mycelium and its fermented substrate. Tv mycelium triggered robust induction of CD69 on lymphocytes and monocytes, while the fermented substrate induced significant increases in various cytokines, demonstrating complementary immune-activating properties.

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1984·Cancer treatment reviews·S Tsukagoshi, Y Hashimoto, G Fujii, et al

Krestin (PSK).

Animal studyImmunity

The study investigates the effects of Krestin (PSK), a polysaccharide preparation from Coriolus versicolor, on immune responses and tumor activity in animal models. PSK was effective against various tumors, restoring immune responses and augmenting killer T cell activity in tumor-bearing mice.

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