How It Works
Bottom Line: Not enough research has been done with AHCC in humans to tell whether it works. Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is an extract of mushrooms from the Basidiomycete class, including
shiitake mushrooms. This product contains polysaccharides called glucans, which scientists think are responsible for its biological activity. Not much laboratory research has been performed on AHCC, although one study showed that it could enhance the activity of natural killer cells (a type of immune cell) in the test tube. Animal studies suggest that AHCC has antioxidant effects and can improve the response of the immune system in mice with chemotherapy-weakened immune systems. In humans, AHCC has been shown to improve liver function in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis and reduce the levels of certain tumor markers in the blood.
Purported Uses
To prevent and treat cancer
Laboratory studies show some anti-cancer activity, but these results are not especially strong. One human study supported the use of AHCC in patients undergoing surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma, but this study had design flaws and much more research is needed.
Research Evidence
Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer):
Only one study has looked at the effects of AHCC in humans. One hundred and thirteen patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer), after undergoing surgical tumor resection, were treated with AHCC. When the disease-free period and overall survival rate of this group were compared to that of a similar group of patients who had not received AHCC, it was found that the AHCC group fared better. While this suggests that AHCC can improve the prognosis of patients undergoing surgery for liver cancer, this study had certain design flaws, including lack of placebo control group and random assignment of patients, and further clinical trials are needed.
Warnings
This product is regulated by the FDA as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
Do Not Take If
If you are taking doxorubicin or ondansetron (AHCC may decrease their activity).
Side Effects
None known
Common Name
Active Hexose Correlated Compound
Brand Name
AHCC
Clinical Summary
A proprietary extract prepared from co-cultured mycelia of several species of Basidiomycete mushrooms, including
shiitake (Lentinus edodes), active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is extracted from mushrooms using hot water following an enzyme pretreatment, but specific mushroom source and preparation details have not been fully disclosed. Patients use this to prevent and treat cancer. Animal studies suggest that AHCC has antioxidant effects and may protect against disorders induced by oxidative stress
(1) and may also enhance resistance against bacterial
(2) (7)and viral infections
(3). In healthy humans, AHCC increased dendritic cell number and function
(4) In vitro and animal studies show that AHCC exhibits some anticancer activities, but the results of these studies are vague
(5) (6). In cisplatin-treated mice, AHCC increased its anti-tumor effects and decreased its side effects
(8). One prospective cohort study suggested that AHCC improves prognosis after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
(9), but no other clinical trials have been performed.
AHCC can cause interactions with other drugs, include doxorubicin or ondansetron, that are substrates of CYP450 2D6 enzyme
(10).
Food Sources
Purported uses
- Cancer prevention
- Cancer treatment
Constituents
Polysaccharides
Amino Acids
Minerals
(2)
Mechanism of Action
AHCC glucans are low molecular weight (~5 KDa) polysaccharides with alpha-1,3 linkages. Both properties are unusual for this class of mushroom glucans with reported immunomodulatory properties (5) although the mechanism of action is not completely known. One animal study suggested that AHCC has antioxidant effects and may protect against disorders induced by oxidative stress (1). Animal studies have shown AHCC to enhance resistance to bacterial infection (7) by increasing inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression as well as lymphocytes (11). AHCC can enhance mice's resistance to West Nile virus by improving T-cell response (3). In chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenic mice, AHCC improved immune response to Candida albicans (2). In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis, treatment with AHCC has shown beneficial effects on liver function (9) possibly by regulating nitric oxide (NO) production (12). AHCC has been shown to enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity in vitro and induces endogenous IL-12 in mice (6).
Herb-Drug Interactions
AHCC can induce CYP450 2D6
(10). This may decrease the activity of other drugs, like doxorubicin or ondansetron, which are substrates of this enzyme.
Literature Summary and Critique
Matsui Y, et al. Improved prognosis of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients when treated with functional foods: a prospective cohort study. J Hepatol 2002;37:78-86. A prospective cohort study to determine whether AHCC improves the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients following surgical treatment. 269 patients with histologically confirmed HCC were studied from February 1992 through December 2001. After undergoing curative surgery, some of the patients received 3.0 g/day oral AHCC. Participants were not randomized, nor were placebos administered. Results showed statistically significant lengthening of time to recurrence and overall survival rate when compared to those who did not take AHCC. Three participants in the AHCC group did not complete the trial due to nausea, but overall side effects were minimal. While the study implies a benefit for post surgical HCC treatment, the lack of randomization and placebo control tempers that result.
References
- Ye SF, Ichimura K, Wakame K, Ohe M. Suppressive effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound on the increased activity of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase induced by oxidative stress. Life Sci. Dec 19 2003;74(5):593-602.
- Ikeda T, Ishibashi H, Fujisaki R, et al. Prophylactic efficacy of a basidiomycetes preparation AHCC against lethal Candida albicans infection in experimental granulocytopenic mice. Nippon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi. 2003;44(2):127-131.
- Wang S, Welte T, Fang H, et al. Oral Administration of Active Hexose Correlated Compound Enhances Host Resistance to West Nile Encephalitis in Mice. J Nutr. Jan 13 2009.
- Terakawa N, Matsui Y, Satoi S, et al. Immunological effect of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) in healthy volunteers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutr Cancer. 2008;60(5):643-651.
- Kidd PM. The use of mushroom glucans and proteoglycans in cancer treatment. Altern Med Rev. Feb 2000;5(1):4-27.
- Yagita A, Maruyama S, Wakasugi S, Sukegawa Y. H-2 haplotype-dependent serum IL-12 production in tumor-bearing mice treated with various mycelial extracts. In Vivo. Jan-Feb 2002;16(1):49-54.
- Aviles H, Belay T, Fountain K, Vance M, Sun B, Sonnenfeld G. Active hexose correlated compound enhances resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in mice in the hindlimb-unloading model of spaceflight conditions. J Appl Physiol. Aug 2003;95(2):491-496.
- Hirose A, Sato E, Fujii H, Sun B, Nishioka H, Aruoma OI. The influence of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) on cisplatin-evoked chemotherapeutic and side effects in tumor-bearing mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. Jul 15 2007;222(2):152-158.
- Matsui Y, Uhara J, Satoi S, et al. Improved prognosis of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients when treated with functional foods: a prospective cohort study. J Hepatol. Jul 2002;37(1):78-86.
- Mach CM, Fugii H, Wakame K, Smith J. Evaluation of active hexose correlated compound hepatic metabolism and potential for drug interactions with chemotherapy agents. J Soc Integr Oncol. Summer 2008;6(3):105-109.
- Aviles H, O'Donnell P, Orshal J, Fujii H, Sun B, Sonnenfeld G. Active hexose correlated compound activates immune function to decrease bacterial load in a murine model of intramuscular infection. Am J Surg. Apr 2008;195(4):537-545.
- Matsui K, Kawaguchi Y, Ozaki T, et al. Effect of active hexose correlated compound on the production of nitric oxide in hepatocytes. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. Sep-Oct 2007;31(5):373-380; discussion 380-371.
