Effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) glucan in HIV-infected patients

Hiroaki Nanba, Noriko Kodama, Douglas Schar, Denise Turner

Abstract

The effects of MD-Fraction, a β-glucan extracted from Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa), on the health status of individuals suffering from HIV infection were evaluated in a long-term trial. The HIV status of the 35 respondents who participated in the study was followed by monitoring CD4⁺ cell counts, viral load measure, symptoms of HIV infection, status of secondary disease, and sense of well-being. Twenty patients reported an increase in CD4⁺ cell counts to 1.4–1.8 times, and 8 patients reported a decrease to 0.8–0.5 times. Viral load was reported to increase in 9 patients and decrease in 10 patients. However, 85% of respondents reported an increased sense of well-being with regard to various symptoms and secondary diseases caused by HIV. These results suggest that Maitake D-Fraction had a positive impact in HIV patients.