Beneficial Effects of Pleuran on Asthma Control and Respiratory Tract-Infection Frequency in Children with Perennial Asthma

Authors:
Milos Jesenak, Martin Hrubisko, Jerzy Chudek, Jaromir Bystron, Zuzana Rennerova, Zuzana Diamant, Juraj Majtan, Andrzej Emeryk

Journal:
Scientific Reports, 2025
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-91830-2

Study Design

International, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial over 48 weeks (24-week treatment + 24-week follow-up)

Participants

230 children aged 7–17 with partially controlled perennial asthma and allergy to house dust mites or other perennial allergens. All were on stable conventional asthma therapy.

Intervention

Participants were randomized to receive either a pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) + vitamin C supplement (Imunoglukan P4H®) or a placebo (vitamin C only). The treatment group took two capsules daily (each containing 100 mg pleuran and 100 mg vitamin C) for 24 weeks.

Outcome Measures

• Asthma Control Test (ACT and C-ACT) scores
• Number of respiratory tract infections (RTIs)
• Frequency of asthma exacerbations
• Spirometry and FeNO levels
• Pediatric asthma quality of life scores (PAQLQ, PACQLQ)
• Adverse events and tolerability

Summary

This placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the effects of pleuran, a β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus, on asthma control and respiratory infections in children with perennial asthma. After 24 weeks of supplementation, children under 12 showed significantly better asthma control and fewer exacerbations than those receiving placebo. Children aged 12 or older in the treatment group had significantly fewer respiratory infections. At the end of the 48-week study, 84.7% of the treatment group showed improved asthma control versus 67.0% in the placebo group. No serious adverse events were reported. These results suggest that pleuran may be a safe and effective immunomodulatory supplement for improving asthma control and reducing respiratory infections in allergic children.