trametes versicolor

Trametes versicolor, commonly known as Turkey Tail mushroom, is a medicinal fungus used extensively in traditional Asian medicine. Preparations from this mushroom, particularly its protein-bound polysaccharide extracts Polysaccharide-K (PSK) and Polysaccharide-Peptide (PSP), are used as immunomodulatory agents. PSK, marketed under the brand name Krestin, is approved in Japan as an adjuvant cancer therapy. The primary mechanism of action is the enhancement of the host's immune response. It is believed to act, in part, as a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonist, leading to an increase in lymphocyte counts, heightened natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity, and a rise in CD8+ T cells without necessarily increasing the number of NK cells. Clinical studies have explored its use in various cancers, including breast, prostate, gastric, and colorectal cancer, often in conjunction with conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation to boost immune function and potentially improve patient outcomes.

Brand names

Krestin

Other names

Coriolus versicolorTurkey TailPolystictus versicolorPolyporus versicolorYun ZhiKawaratakeTv