Myco Immune Complex:
beta-glucans, immune modulation and veterinary oncology evidence
How do beta-glucans act as immune modulators, what distinguishes Coriolus, Agaricus, Maitake, and Shiitake from each other, and what does the veterinary oncology literature show about medicinal mushrooms in dogs? For dogs, cats and humans.
By Stefan Veenstra DVM
Medicinal mushrooms: more than food
Medicinal mushrooms are among the most bioactive organisms on earth. In East Asian medicine, species such as Coriolus versicolor, Maitake and Shiitake have been used for more than 2000 years for immune disorders and as support for chronic disease. Western science has established the molecular basis of this action in recent decades: the primary active ingredients are beta-glucans, complex polysaccharides with a specific (1→3)(1→6) binding structure that the innate immune system modulates via pattern recognition receptors. [1]
A review in Microorganisms (Amaral et al., 2024) translates the available human and animal model studies into veterinary applications in dogs and cats, specifically for skin diseases, osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The conclusion is that beta-glucans are a promising nutraceutical for immune modulation in dogs and cats through cross-species mechanisms. [2]
NGD Care Aging Protocol: Immune Modulation and Tumor Repression in Aging
NGD Care Intracellular Microbe Protocol: Immunomodulation Without Overstimulation
NGD Care Behavioural Protocol: immune support for chronic stress stress
The mechanism of action of beta-glucans
Beta-glucans with a (1→3)(1→6) binding structure are recognized by two primary pattern recognition receptors on immune cells: dectin-1 on macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils, and TLR2 (toll-like receptor 2). Dectin-1 binding activates macrophages and dendritic cells via Syk kinase signaling, leading to production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, radicals, and phagocytosis. At the same time, beta-glucans stimulate the maturation of dendritic cells and thus promote a Th1-targeted immune response that is relevant in both chronic infections and tumor immunology. [3]
NK cells (natural killer cells) are crucial for early tumor recognition and elimination. Beta-glucans increase NK cell activity via IL-12 production by macrophages and dendritic cells. Shiitake lentinan also increases NK cell activity via direct interaction with NK cell surface receptors. The combination of macrophage activation, Th1 polarization and NK cell stimulation makes beta-glucans a mechanistically coherent immune support in both infection and oncological treatment.
The four mushrooms: each with its own bioactive profile
Coriolus versicolor: the most researched oncological mushroom
Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail, Yunzhi) contains two standardized bioactive glycoprotein fractions: PSK (polysaccharide-K, Krestin) and PSP (polysaccharopeptide). PSK is officially recognized in Japan as an adjuvant oncology treatment for stomach, esophageal and colorectal cancer. PSP and PSK modulate the immune system through similar but not identical mechanisms: Th1 polarization, NK cell stimulation, and inhibition of tumor-promoting immune suppression. [4]
The veterinary evidence for Coriolus is the strongest of all medicinal mushrooms in dogs. Brown and Reetz (2012) showed in a double-blind pilot study at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School that PSP as a single agent produced the longest survival times ever reported in dogs with hemangiosarcoma. A prospective follow-up study (Gedney et al., 2022) in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology evaluated PSP in 101 dogs with splenectomy hemangiosarcoma of the spleen after splenectomy, alone or in combination with doxorubicin. [5]
Coriolus and hemangiosarcoma in dogs: the veterinary evidence
Brown & Reetz (2012): Double-blind pilot study at UPenn Vet School. PSP as a single agent gave the longest survival times ever reported for canine hemangiosarcoma. [4]
Gedney et al. (2022): prospective study in 101 dogs. PSP alone or in combination with doxorubicin after splenectomy in splenic hemangiosarcoma. Coriolus is the most researched supplement in canine oncology. [5]
Agaricus blazei Murill: highest beta-glucan concentration
Agaricus blazei Murill, the Brazilian medicinal mushroom, contains the highest concentration of beta-glucans of all medicinal mushrooms, specifically (1→3)(1→6)-beta-glucans and (1→4)-beta-glucans. Agaricus extracts activate NK cells and macrophages particularly strongly via dectin-1 activation and have demonstrated direct cytotoxicity against multiple human cancer cell lines in vitro. In chemotherapy, Agaricus studies show reduction of side effects by up to 70-80% and preservation of quality of life. Agaricus also modulates blood sugar via AMPK activation, which is relevant in diabetic dogs and cats. [6]
Maitake: D-Fraction and tumor immunology
Maitake (Grifola frondosa) contains the Maitake D Fraction, a standardized beta-glucan fraction that activates T cells and NK cells particularly strongly. The D-Fraction inhibits tumor growth in animal models through two mechanisms: direct cytotoxicity via activated NK cells and indirectly via stimulation of apoptosis in tumor cell lines. Maitake extracts reduce blood pressure via ACE inhibition and blood sugar via AMPK activation, and have been widely studied in combination with chemotherapy for breast cancer and leukemia in humans. [7]
Shiitake: lentinan, serotonin and antimicrobial profile
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) provides lentinan, a (1→3)(1→6)-beta-glucan approved in Japan as an oncology adjuvant in gastric and colorectal cancer. Lentinan increases NK cell activity, promotes IL-2 production, and has a broad antimicrobial profile. A recent study (Kusaba and Arai, 2024) in dogs showed that shiitake powder provided significant immunometabolic effects, including SOD upregulation and sirtuine-1 activation. Shiitake also influences serotonin and histamine metabolism via enzymatic modulation, which expands its applicability to behavioural and allergic complaints. [8]
Prebiotic side effect: microbiome support
In addition to their direct immunomodulatory action, beta-glucans from medicinal mushrooms act as a prebiotic substrate for commensal intestinal bacteria, especially Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. The fermentation of beta-glucans leads to the production of short-chain fatty acids (butyrate) that strengthen the intestinal barrier and reduce systemic inflammation. This makes Myco Immune Complex both an immune supporter and a microbiome enhancer, two actions that are mechanistically synergistic. [1]
Oncological application: always in consultation with a specialist
Myco Immune Complex is not a replacement for veterinary oncological treatment, but a mechanistically well-founded supplement. In animals with cancer, always consult with a veterinary oncology specialist or integrative veterinarian. The PSP studies in hemangiosarcoma show promising results but are based on small pilot populations and require further validation in larger controlled studies.
Myco Immune Complex application area: dog, cat and human
Immune weakness and chronic infections in which immune balance is central. Oncological support in addition to or after conventional treatment, in consultation with a veterinarian. Autoimmune diseases and allergies via Th1/Th2 balance modulation. Low-grade chronic inflammation and chronic syndromes. Aging protocol: tumor repression, immune modulation, and microbiome support. Behavioral protocol: immune and microbiome support for chronic stress load. Intracellular Microbe Protocol: immunomodulation without overstimulation in Phase 1 and 2.
Liposomal Formulation: A Unique Process for Mushrooms
The beta-glucans, polysaccharopeptides, and triterpenes in medicinal mushrooms are partly water-soluble and partly fat-soluble, and virtually all of the active fractions are sensitive to enzymatic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract before absorption. Conventional mushroom supplements in powder or tablet form already lose activity in the gastrointestinal tract in a significant proportion of the bioactive components, before they reach the immune cells and tissues where they need to work.
Liposomal encapsulation of medicinal mushroom extracts is a technological innovation that is currently unique on the market: NGD Care is the only provider that produces mushroom complexes in liposomal form for veterinary use. Phospholipid vesicles envelop the active mushroom fractions, protect them from gastric acid and enzymatic degradation, and facilitate absorption via endocytosis through the intestinal mucosa, directly into the lymph and bloodstream. The result is a bioavailability that is significantly higher than with conventional mushroom supplements, which significantly improves clinical effectiveness in chronic diseases, where absorption capacity is often already reduced. [10]
This is especially relevant for mushrooms because the primary target group for this supplement is animals with chronic conditions, inflammation or oncological treatment. It is precisely in these animals that the intestinal function and absorption capacity are most vulnerable. Liposomal formulation ensures that the active ingredients can also fulfil their therapeutic potential in this context.
The Power of Eight: Myco Immune Complex + Myco Adaptogen Complex
Myco Immune Complex (Coriolus, Agaricus, Maitake, Shiitake) focuses on immune modulation, beta-gluc-powered NK cell activation, and oncological support. Its sister product Myco Adaptogen Complex (Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps) targets the nervous system, NGF stimulation, stress regulation, and energy metabolism. Together, the two complexes form a combination of eight medicinal mushrooms that covers the full spectrum: from immune modulation and oncological support to neuroprotection, stress regulation and adaptogenic resilience. For animals with complex chronic complaints in which both the immune and nervous systems are affected, the combined deployment is mechanistically coherent and therapeutically broader than each complex individually.
More about Myco Adaptogen Complex: Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga and Cordyceps
Conclusion
Myco Immune Complex combines four medicinal mushrooms with complementary bioactive profiles: Coriolus for oncological immune support via PSK/PSP, Agaricus for the highest beta-glucan concentration and NK cell activation, Maitake for Th1 polarization and tumor immunology via the D-Fraction, and Shiitake for lentinan, antimicrobial profile and serotonin modulation. Together, they provide broader and deeper immune modulation than any individual mushroom.
The liposomal formulation makes NGD Care Myco Immune Complex unique on the market: as the only liposomal mushroom mix for veterinary use, it guarantees significantly higher bioavailability. In combination with Myco Adaptogen Complex, a spectrum of eight complementary medicinal mushrooms is created for the broadest possible clinical application. In the case of oncological application, always consult with a veterinary specialist.
View Myco Immune Complex in the NGD Care webshop
Literature
- Akramiene D, Kondrotas A, Didziapetriene J, Kevelaitis E. Effects of beta-glucans on the immune system. Medicina (Kaunas). 2007; 43(8):597-606.
- Amaral AR, Risolia LW, Rentas MF, et al. Translating human and animal model studies to dogs’ and cats’ veterinary care: beta-glucans application for skin disease, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease management. Microorganisms. 2024; 12(6):1071. [Translation study beta-glucans to veterinary applications in dogs and cats 2024]
- Zhong X, Wang G, Li F, et al. Immunomodulatory effect and biological significance of β-glucans. Pharmaceutics. 2023; 15(6):1615. [Dectin-1 and TLR2 Signaling Beta-Glucans 2023]
- Brown DC, Reetz J. Single agent polysaccharopeptide delays metastases and improves survival in naturally occurring hemangiosarcoma. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:384301. [Landmark Veterinary PSP Study Hemangiosarcoma Dogs, UPenn]
- Gedney A, Salah P, Mahoney JA, et al. Evaluation of the anti-tumour activity of Coriolus versicolor polysaccharopeptide (I’m-Yunity) alone or in combination with doxorubicin for canine splenic hemangiosarcoma. Vet Comp Oncol. 2022; 20(3):688-696. [Prospective Study PSP in 101 Dogs With Hemangiosarcoma 2022]
- Hetland G, Johnson E, Lyberg T, Kvalheim G. The mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill elicits medicinal effects on tumor, infection, allergy, and inflammation through its modulation of innate immunity and amelioration of Th1/Th2 imbalance. J Immunol Res. 2011;2011:157015.
- Deng G, Lin H, Seidman A, et al. A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: immunological effects. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2009; 135(9):1215-1221.
- Kusaba A, Arai Y. Immunometabolic effects of shiitake mushroom powder supplementation in dogs: a preliminary study. Cited in: Bonza.dog veterinary evidence review. 2024. [Shiitake in Dogs: SOD Upregulation and Sirtuine-1 Activation 2024]
- Dian L, Meng L, Miller B, et al. Enhancement of the efficacy of natural bioactive compounds through various drug delivery strategies. Drug Deliv. 2021; 28(1):1569-1581. [Liposomal encapsulation increases bioavailability of polysaccharides and bioactive mushroom components via endocytosis]
This information is educational in nature and based on available scientific literature. The studies mentioned are not always directly veterinary or specific to the formulation described here. This text does not replace a veterinary consultation and does not contain any therapeutic claims. In the case of oncological application, always consult with a veterinary oncology specialist.