Efficacy of Pleuran (β-Glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) in the Management of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection

Authors:
Ingrid Urbancikova, Dana Hudackova, Juraj Majtan, Zuzana Rennerova, Peter Banovcin, Milos Jesenak

Journal:
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020
DOI: 10.1155/2020/8562309

Study Design

Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a 10-day acute phase and a 120-day preventive phase.

Participants

90 patients aged 6+ with active HSV-1 (labial/facial) infection. Participants were randomized into active (n = 49) and placebo (n = 41) groups.

Intervention

During the 10-day acute phase, the active group received Imunoglukan P4H® ACUTE! (300 mg pleuran, 160 mg vitamin C, 10 mg zinc) daily. The placebo group received a capsule with vitamin C and zinc only. In the 120-day preventive phase, the active group took 100 mg pleuran + 100 mg vitamin C daily, while the placebo group took vitamin C alone.

Outcome Measures

• Duration and intensity of herpes symptoms
• Number of asymptomatic days
• Incidence, duration, and severity of respiratory symptoms
• Adverse events and tolerability

Summary

This clinical trial assessed the effects of pleuran, a β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus, on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) symptoms and respiratory infections. The active group experienced a significantly shorter duration of herpes symptoms (11.0 vs. 12.2 days) and more asymptomatic days during acute treatment. In the preventive phase, duration and severity of respiratory symptoms like cough and rhinitis were significantly lower in the pleuran group. No serious adverse effects were reported. These findings support pleuran as a safe, supportive therapy for HSV-1 and respiratory symptom management.