Researchers in Japan found that the King Agaricus or A. brasiliensis KA21 effectively synthesises collagen, which aids wound healing and improves skin elasticity.
These findings were based on tests conducted on mice, and surveys that assessed the satisfaction levels on its wound healing effects among plastic surgery patients and animals.
“This means opportunities in Asia, particularly in Korea and Thailand, where plastic surgeries are common,” said Akimoto Motoi, president of pharmaceutical manufacturer Toei Shinyaku.
KA21 is known to have various beneficial pharmacological effects, but they vary depending on cultivation conditions.
According to researchers, the outdoor cultivated variety showed greater efficacy compared to the indoor cultivated one.
“The outdoor-cultivated A. brasiliensis KA21 (KAOD) promoted wound healing in mice, and the effect of KAOD was stronger than that of the indoor-cultivated one (KAID).
“In addition, A. brasiliensis KA21 promoted the synthesis of collagen I and III, which are involved in promoting wound healing; KAOD strongly induced collagen III production. Furthermore, KAOD suppressed the decrease in skin elasticity after acetone application in our mouse model, which was not observed for KAID,” wrote researchers in International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms.
Compared to the commonly indoor-cultivated Agaricus grown in dark environments, the outdoor cultivated King Agaricus grows larger, contains higher levels of key components such as beta-glucan and vitamin D, and exhibits more than five times the antioxidant activity, said researchers.
This explains the greater efficacy of KAOD in reducing the loss of skin elasticity caused by acetone in mice.
The research
To test the efficacy of KA21 on humans, researchers conducted a survey with cosmetic surgeons.
For the study, 18 patients who just underwent cosmetic surgery participated in this six-day study.
The patients were administered the supplement NKUP Premium. Each sachet contains 1600mg King Agaricus KA21, cultivated outdoor in Brazil using the KA21 strain. It also contains 400mg yacon.
When asked why yacon was added, Motoi explained that Agaricus boosts immune function by stimulating gut immunity, while yacon is rich in fructooligosaccharides, which enhances the effects of KA21 and improves gut health at the same time.
The patients each took one sachet a day, from the day of surgery to the time of suture removal.
On the last day, when the sutures were removed, the plastic surgeons completed a questionnaire to assess KA21’s effectiveness in healing the wounds.
Fifteen responses were collected – one indicated “very satisfied”, 13 said they were “satisfied”, and one indicated they were “dissatisfied” with the results of the wound healing.
A survey done with veterinarians and pet owners yielded similar satisfaction ratings – for this study, 55 cases were assessed across 20 facilities.
Responses were received for 53 cases, which included 30 dogs, 19 cats, and four unknown animals. All the animals underwent invasive procedures that included spaying, amputation, abdominal surgery, and skin surgery.
The duration of this study was seven to 10 days, from the day of surgery to the time of suture removal.
Each animal took one tablet a day for every 4–5kg of body weight. Each tablet of NKUP+α contained 240mg KA21 and 60mg Hanabira mushroom, or Sparassis crispa.
The Hanabira mushroom was included because it contains beta-1,3 glucan, while KA21 contains beta-1,3-1,6 glucans. These compounds work together to enhance the overall effect, aiding post-surgery recovery, said Motoi.
On the day of suture removal, the veterinarians and pet owners likewise completed a questionnaire to assess the effectiveness of KA21.
Seven indicated they were “very satisfied”, 40 were “satisfied, one was “dissatisfied”, and five did not respond.
“These results show that KAOD is useful as a supplement in surgery and injury healing for humans and animals, improving immunity against pathogens in wound areas and promoting wound healing. In addition, KAOD may be useful in the field of skin aesthetics for repairing skin damage and maintaining skin elasticity,” said the researchers.
Next steps for use in Asia
Motoi identified two main uses of KA21 – as a supplement for wound recovery after surgery or injury, and for skincare.
For wound recovery, the direct targets are the surgeons, and the end consumers are patients who undergo surgery.
For skincare, the direct targets are companies selling skincare supplements, where the end consumers are both men and women who are concerned with maintaining skin elasticity against dryness.
The firm positions KA21 products as premium offerings, as Agaricus is a rare ingredient imported from Brazil. Furthermore, the manufacturing costs of outdoor-cultivated KA21 are high.
“KA21 is targeted at healthcare professionals like doctors, dentists, and veterinarians. This would make Southeast Asia a suitable market as the region shows significant population growth and economic development, said Motoi.
The dosage is easy to administer. KA21 products will either be in granule or tablet form, which can be swallowed with water.
When asked if the firm plans to explore other dosage formats like jellies and chewables, Motoi said the team has stopped producing jelly supplements as there was low demand for such an alternative format.
Currently, KA21 products are available for immune enhancement, hair growth, and beauty enhancement in Asia. It includes regions like China, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Nepal.
For example, King Agaricus 100 for immunity is available in a box of 60 for 51,840 yen or USD 366.
Beroot, a beauty supplement, contains collagen, shell and fish bone calcium powder on top of KA21. It costs 12,960 yen or USD 92 for 120 tablets.
The firm has not yet exported supplements specifically for post-surgical recovery. It plans to do so within the next year.
Toei Shinyaku supplies either the finished product or raw material to other businesses.
