What other names is Lentinan known by?

Lenticus edodes, Lentinan edodes, Lentinane, Lentinula edodes, Lentinus edodes, Polysaccharide dérivé de Lentinus edodes, Polysaccharide derived from Lentinus edodes, Tricholomopsis edodes.

What is Lentinan?

Lentinan is a substance that comes from the shiitake mushroom.

Medical professionals use lentinan to boost the effects of regular medicines used for treating cancer and HIV infection. They give lentinan intravenously (by IV) or as a shot (by injection).

Possibly Effective for...

Treatment of HIV infection, when given with the medication didanosine (ddI, Videx).

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

Breast cancer, when given by injection. Developing evidence suggests that lentinan may improve the way regular cancer drugs work in people with breast cancer.
Stomach cancer, when given by injection. Developing evidence suggests that lentinan may improve the way regular cancer drugs work in people with stomach cancer. However, lentinan seems less likely to work in stomach cancer patients who are malnourished.
Prostate cancer, when given by injection. Developing evidence suggests that lentinan may improve the way regular cancer drugs work in men with prostate cancer.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of lentinan for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Quick GuideHIV AIDS Facts: Symptoms and Treatments

How does Lentinan work?

Lentinan might increase the effects of certain medications that fight viruses and cancer. It might also increase the activity of some of the body's defense (immune) cells.

Are there safety concerns?

There isn't enough information available to know if lentinan is safe. It might cause stomach and intestinal cramps, rash, muscle pain, and tiredness; and it can slow blood clotting.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of lentinan during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.