Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa) Extract Induces Ovulation in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Possible Monotherapy and a Combination Therapy After Failure with First-Line Clomiphene Citrate

Authors: Jui-Tung Chen, Kunihiko Tominaga, Yoshihiko Sato, Hideo Anzai, and Ryo Matsuoka

Journal: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Study Design: Open-label trial

Participants: 80 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Trial Length: Up to 12 weeks for monotherapy, up to 16 weeks for combination therapy

Intervention:

• MSX group (n = 32): Maitake extract (SX-fraction) tablets 3 times a day
• CC group (n = 36): Clomiphene citrate (CC) 50 mg daily from days 5 to 9 of menses
• Combination therapy: MSX + CC for patients who did not respond to monotherapy

Primary Outcomes: Ovulation rateSummary: The study investigated the effects of Maitake extract (MSX) on ovulation in PCOS patients. The results showed that MSX alone could induce ovulation, with an ovulation rate of 76.9% compared to 93.5% for CC. The ovulation rate by cycles was 41.7% for MSX and 69.9% for CC. The combination therapy of MSX and CC was effective in inducing ovulation in patients who failed to respond to monotherapy. The study suggests that MSX may be a potential alternative or adjunctive treatment for ovulation induction in PCOS patients.