Agaricus blazei vs. Viruses

Research has indicated Agaricus blazei (ABM) has an antagonistic relationship with viruses. In vitro research has indicated Agaricus blazei directly inhibits certain viruses such as the Poliovirus(1) and the Western equine encephalitis virus(2). Like other mushrooms, Agaricus blazei probably has an inhibitory effect on a much larger variety of viruses, although this has yet to be tested.

Two interesting in vivo experiments noted that Agaricus blazei could improve the efficiency of vaccination. The two experiments, which were conducted on mice, showed that ABM improved the ability of the Hepatitis B vaccine(3) as well as the vaccine for the foot-and-mouth disease virus(4). Researchers noted that mice treated with ABM produced a higher amount of antibody production specific to the vaccine. Researchers also noted that mice treated with ABM produced a higher number of T cells, important white blood cells of the immune system.

Reference:
1. Faccin LC, Benati F, Rincão VP, Mantovani MS (Jul 2007), "Antiviral activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts and of an isolated polysaccharide from Agaricus brasiliensis against poliovirus type 1.", Lett Appl Microbiol. 45 (1): 24-8, PMID 17594456
2. Sorimachi K, Ikehara Y, Maezato G (Jul 2001), "Inhibition by Agaricus blazei Murill fractions of cytopathic effect induced by western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus on VERO cells in vitro.", Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 65 (7): 1645-7, PMID 11515550
3. Chen L, Shao HJ, Su YB (March 2004), "Coimmunization of Agaricus blazei Murill extract with hepatitis B virus core protein through DNA vaccine enhances cellular and humoral immune responses", Int Immunopharmacol 4 (3): 403–409, doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2003.12.015, PMID 15037217
4. Chen L, Shao H (15 January 2006), "Extract from Agaricus blazei Murill can enhance immune responses elicited by DNA vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease", Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 109 (1-2): 177–182, doi:10.1016/j.vetimm.2005.08.028, PMID 16213597