Suche
reference
Chen JT, Tominaga K, Sato Y, Anzai H, Matsuoka R. Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) extract induces ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a possible monotherapy and combination therapy after failure with first-line clomiphene citrate.J Altern Complement Med.2010;16(12):1295-1299.
Study design
Open label, no placebo control
Participant
Eighty subjects diagnosed with PCOS. Inclusion was based on the following criteria:
- 18–35 Jahre alt
- PCOS-Diagnose, angezeigt durch das Vorliegen von Oligomenorrhoe und Hyperandrogenismus und/oder erhöhtem basalem luteinisierenden Hormon (LH) und normalem basalem follikelstimulierendem Hormon (FSH), polyzystische Ovarien, nachgewiesen durch Ultraschall
- Kein Diabetes mellitus; Und
- Keine Hypercholesterinämie.
After discontinuation or noncompliance, 72 women participated in the study. Group 1 (n=36) received the maitake mushroom (MSX) SX fraction containing 250 mg of dried maitake mushroom powder and 18 mg of MSX per tablet at a dose of 3 tablets three times daily between meals. Group 2 (n=36) received 50 mg clomiphene citrate (CC) daily on days 5–9 of the menstrual cycle. The study period included 3 menstrual cycles. Due to study withdrawals and protocol deviations, 12 participants were not included in the ovulation analysis.
Key findings
After 3 menstrual cycles, the MSX group (26 women) had an ovulation rate of 76.9% and the CC group (31 women) had an ovulation rate of 93.5%. Fifteen subjects who did not respond to either CC or MSX alone subsequently received combination therapy of CC and MSX. With this combined therapy, ovulation occurred in 100% of the failed MSX group and 75% of the CC group.
Effects on practice
As a naturopath, most of my PCOS patients come to me because they want alternatives to clomiphene citrate and metformin. Basic interventions for all PCOS patients include altering insulin regulation through exercise and dietary interventions that lower serum glucose levels. Additionally, many patients may require certain nutrients and herbs to mitigate the effects of hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia. Depending on the symptoms, nutrients such as chromium, lipoate, B vitamins and magnesium as well as herbs such as peony, licorice and saw palmetto may also be indicated.
The proposed mechanism of action of SX fraction from maitake mushroom is to modulate blood glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity.
This study by Chen et al. represents another possible alternative for improving insulin sensitivity and inducing ovulation. The proposed mechanism of action of the SX fraction from the maitake mushroom is to modulate blood glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity.1.2It has been found that women with PCOS have lower androgen levels and therefore regular ovulation cycles due to the increase in insulin sensitivity and the associated decrease in insulin levels. Although the study group was small, it is exciting to have another natural ingredient to help our PCOS patients. A clinical disadvantage of MSX may be the dosage required. In this study, women took 3 capsules three times a day for 3 months. No side effects were reported, except for mild epigastralgia noted in two women taking MSX. However, the question of costs and compliance arises. Maitake is naturally an expensive dietary supplement and was taken daily in this study. In contrast, clomiphene only needed to be administered for four days during the follicular phase - a much simpler treatment. In reality, naturopathic treatment of a PCOS patient is already difficult for the patient, as the dietary restrictions that must be adhered to can be a major challenge for many. One wonders whether adding 9 tablets per day is feasible in the long term. Nonetheless, maitake extract represents a novel natural remedy that holds promise for those patients who choose not to use medications to induce ovulation. Further studies are needed to substantiate this small, open-label study.