A new research paper suggests that an extract from Japanese mushrooms can help treat cancer.
For the study, researchers extracted the active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) from the thread-like parts of Japanese shiitake mushrooms. The AHCC was then used to treat cervical cancer cells created in mice models.
The researchers said that the extract helped remove human papillomavirus (HPV) infections within 90 days. It also reduced the rate of cervical cancer growth. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical, throat and mouth cancer, and genital warts. It is one of the most common forms of STI.
"The results of this study were very encouraging," lead researcher Dr Judith A. Smith, at the University of Texas Health Science Center Medial School at Houston, said in a press release. "This study, initiated in 2008, shows that by itself AHCC has the potential to treat the HPV infection."
The study authors said that AHCC might help reduce the development of cancer caused by HPV. There are also other HPV strains that are generally harmless. HPV is one of the most common STIs and roughly three-quarters of all women contract the virus at some point in their lives.
Researchers explained that AHCC works by stimulating the body's immune system to combat the virus. After entering the body, it activates the number and activity levels of Natural Killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells and cytokines. These cells then fight off the infection more effectively. AHCC is currently used as an alternative cancer therapy in Japan.
"AHCC is a common, well tolerated nutritional supplement that has been used for decades in Japan. I am very excited to be pursuing a nutritional approach to trying to find a treatment for HPV infections," Smith said, according to the Daily mail. "We had previously demonstrated an antiretroviral regimen that successfully eradicated the HPV infection but wanted to develop a more benign protocol, since these medications have a number of side effects."
The study by the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) Medical School at Houston was presented at the Society of Gynecological Oncology 45th Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer, Tampa, Fl.
