The anticancer effect of Huaier (Review)

Oncol Rep. 2015 Jul;34(1):12-21. doi: 10.3892/or.2015.3950. Epub 2015 May 5.

Abstract

Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) is a sandy beige mushroom found on the trunks of trees and has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for ~1,600 years. The anticancer effects of Huaier have attracted increasing worldwide interest in recent years. Accumulating evidence suggests that the anticancer mechanism of Huaier may be associated with various biological activities, such as inhibition of cell proliferation, anti-metastasis, interference with tumor angiogenesis and tumor-specific immunomodulatory effect. Animal and experimental studies suggest that Huaier is a promising anticancer agent. Further clinical research is warranted to illustrate the untapped chemopreventive and therapeutic potential of Huaier either alone or in conjunction with existing therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Trametes / chemistry

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal