Abstract
AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) is an extract from mycelia of Lentinula edodes, a mushroom of the basidiomycetes family, which is cultivated in liquid media in a large tank. It is one of the most frequently used products in complementary and alternative medicine among cancer patients in Japan. Also in recent studies, it has been reported as efficacious in treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. AHCC has been proved as safe food by various safety evaluations and drug interaction studies have been conducted. The result of a Phase I trial in healthy volunteers concluded that AHCC is safe as a supplement in clinical practice. The present paper reviews the effects of AHCC in ameliorating the side effects of anti-cancer drugs, in modulating the immune system, in reducing inflammation and in infection prophylaxis.
