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The effects of whole mushrooms during inflammation. Yu S, Weaver V, Martin K, Cantorna MT. BMC Immunol. 2009 Feb 20;10:12. PMID: 19232107 doi:10.1186/1471-2172-10-12 In RAW 264.7 cells the induction of TNF-α production was highest in LPS and WB stimulated rather than the crimini, maitake, oyster, or shitake stimulated cells. The differences might be a result of differences in the quantity of the immunomodulatory substance or substances and or differences in solubility of mushrooms in the DMSO used to produce the extracts. However, the direction of the changes (increase versus decrease) were not different among the mushroom treatments. The lack of differential effects on cytokine secretion by the mushroom extracts suggests that the whole mushrooms must share a common component(s) that act to regulate immune function.

White button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), although often considered a poor relation of exotic, expensive varieties like maitake and matsutake mushrooms, provide as much or even more anti-oxidant activity as their costly cousins. Researchers at the Institut National de la Recherche Agrinomique in France found that the free radical scavenging ability of the humble button mushroom was equivalent to, if not higher than, that of maitake and the matsutake mushrooms - both of which are highly prized in Japanese cuisine for their reputed ability to lower blood pressure and fight cancer.

Mushrooms could give the immune system a hand in attacking foreign invaders, if the effects in mice translate to humans. What's more, the common white button mushroom had stronger immune-boosting effects than more exotic -- and more expensive -- fungi such as oyster and shiitake mushrooms, Dr. Keith Martin of Arizona State University in Mesa and his colleagues found