Agaricus blazei-Based Mushroom Extract Supplementation to Birch Allergic Blood Donors: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors: Faiza Mahmood, Geir Hetland, Ivo Nentwich, Mohammad Reza Mirlashari, Reza Ghiasvand, Lise Sofie Haug Nissen-Meyer

Journal: Nutrients

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Participants: 60 blood donors with self-reported birch pollen allergy and/or asthma, confirmed by positive specific IgE tests

Intervention:

• AndoSan™ extract (Agaricus blazei-based, 82% Agaricus blazei, 15% Hericium erinaceus, 3% Grifola frondosa): 60 mL daily for 7 weeks before birch pollen season
• Placebo group: Equivalent volume of a color-matched inert liquid

Outcome Measures:

• Self-reported allergy symptoms and asthma severity
• Medication use (antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, asthma drugs)
• Serum IgE levels (total and specific to Bet v 1 and birch pollen extract)
• Basophil activation test (BAT) before and after pollen season

Summary:
This study investigated whether pre-seasonal supplementation with AndoSan™ extract could reduce allergy symptoms, asthma severity, and medication use in birch pollen allergy sufferers. During pollen season, patients in the AndoSan™ group reported fewer allergy and asthma symptoms and required less medication compared to the placebo group.

Biomarker analysis showed a significant reduction in specific IgE levels for Bet v 1 and birch pollen extract (t3) in the AndoSan™ group, whereas the placebo group experienced increased IgE levels, suggesting greater allergic sensitization. Furthermore, basophil activation levels remained stable in the AndoSan™ group, while the placebo group developed increased basophil sensitivity to allergens after the season, indicating a protective effect of AndoSan™ against allergen-induced immune activation.

No significant changes in plasma cytokines were observed, and no adverse effects were reported. The findings suggest that pre-seasonal oral supplementation with AndoSan™ may help mitigate pollen-induced allergy and asthma symptoms through modulation of IgE and basophil activation.