Review of Pharmacological Effects of Agaricus Blazei Murill and its Application in Dietotherapy

Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) also known as Brazilian mushroom, originated in Brazil and Peru, is a kind of edible and medicinal fungus. It is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, distributed in heart, lung, liver and kidney channels. It has high nutritional value and medical efficacy and is rich in protein, polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids. Its pharmacological ingredients mainly include nucleic acid, exogenous lectin, sterols, fatty acids and polysaccharides. It also has the effect of anti-cancer, anti-tumor, immune regulation, anti-inflammatory activity, protection of liver and kidney, treatment of diabetes, antioxidant activity, anti-fatigue effect, prevention and treatment of leukemia, asthma, and radiation injury. It can strengthen health and promote hematopoiesis. With the improvement of people’s living standards and the advancement of science and technology, many diseases already have better treatments and the average life expectancy is greatly extended. With the development of food industry, medicine and other related industries, some foods with unique medicinal effects and values such as glossy ganoderma, cordyceps sinensis and Agaricus blazei Murill have been re-recognized and used. The use of these pharmacological foods for disease prevention and treatment has become a trend. For example, the nutrients of relevant foods are extracted to make health-care products and patients are given corresponding solution to assist their treatments. Some progress has been made in realizing the pharmacological effects and dietary applications of Agaricus blazei Murill. This paper will analyze and summarize the results of current researches of pharmacological effect and application in dietotherapy of Agaricus blazei Murill, which is helpful to improve people’s understanding of its medicinal effects and to provide rich experience in dietary therapy and experimental basis. With the further research on the pharmacological effects of Agaricus blazei Murill, it will be more widely used in food therapy.