Poria cocos (Schwein.) RA. Wolf in Japanese Traditional Herbal Medicines: Insights from Kampo Case Studies and Implications for Contemporary Research

摘要

The mushroom Poria cocos (Polyporaceae) is used in approximately 30% of all Kampo (traditional Japanese herbal medicine) formulas. It consists of several pharmacologically active ingredients, including the vitamin D precursor ergosterol and the triterpene pachymic acid. In Kampo, P. cocos is known as bukuryo and is only used in combination with other herbs. To date, little research has been done on this mushroom in isolation. However, extracts have demonstrated the inhibition of tumor promotion, inflammation, induction, and red cell lysis by reactive oxygen species. In clinical use, poria is part of the multi-herb formulas used for enhancing immunocompetence; in treating suidoku (traditional Kampo medicine diagnosis, which roughly translates into "water overload")and various women's health issues, and has many more indications. Currently, poria is part of a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved trial of a non-estrogenic multi-herb formula for the management of menopausal hot flashes.