Turkey Tail

Turkey Tail

Coriolus versicolor

Turkey Tail has a long history of use in both Native American and Oriental medicine. The observed healing properties prompted Chinese and Japanese scientists to begin clinical research on the use of Turkey Tail in clinical practice. It was identified that compounds found in a particular strain of Turkey Tail, named COV-1 are the most beneficial as they have specific compounds. This gave birth to two potent extracts named polysaccharopeptide Krestin (PSK), the Japanese version, and polysaccharopeptide PSP, the Chinese version. Both are extracted from Coriolus mycelia and are used in conventional healthcare in China and Japan as adjuvant cancer therapy
The polysaccharopeptides found in Turkey Tail have a broad range of physiological activity including immune system enhancement, antitumor and anticancer effects, antimicrobial effects, and various other effects contributing to increased quality of life.

Alternative names:
In Chinese Yun Zhi (cloud mushroom), in Japanese Kawaratake (roof tile mushroom),

Around 1965 Coriolus versicolor was “discovered” by modern science. A popular (but unverifiable) story circulating on the internet goes as follows: a chemical engineer working for the Japanese Kureha Chemical Industry Company Ltd., observed his neighbor attempting to cure himself of gastric cancer after having been rejected for treatment by the hospitals. The man turned towards a traditional medicine, Saru-no-koshikake, which is a tea made from the Coriolus versicolor. He used this for several months and, amazingly enough, he managed to cure himself. The engineer was intrigued and convinced his employer to investigate the mushroom in depth.
The rest is history. Kureha Labs managed to isolate active compounds from the mycelium and identified the most potent mycelia strain (CM-101). The mycelia contained a very specific type of protein-linked polysaccharide (beta-glucan), which seemed to be responsible for its therapeutic effects. Such a compound is called proteo-glycan or glyco-protein.

Key Actions:
Antiaging/geroprotective
Anti-cancer & adjuvant therapy
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Anti-viral (HPV)
Hepatoprotective
Immunomodulatory
Lipid-modulatory
Neuroprotective

Key Indications:
Cancer adjuvant therapy
Chronic bronchitis
Dysbiosis
Hepatitis
Hyperlipidaemia
Immune support
Meniere’s disease
Neuroinflammatory condition

Key active compounds:

Polysaccharides - unique peptidopolysaccharides (peptide covalently linked to Beta-glucans main chain), are dominant in the fruit body and mycelium.
The following fractions from liquid cultivated mycelia strains are approved for use in China and Japan as adjuvant cancer therapy:
Polysaccharide peptide (PSP) strain CM101
Polysaccharide Kerstin (PSK) strain COV-1
Fruiting body contains high amounts of mixed-linkage Beta glucans

Terpenes - Betulin & betulinic acid
Sterols - ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide and other derivatives
Lipids - Trilinolein, cerebrosides
Phenolic compounds - Baicalein, baicalin, quercetin, catechin
Other compounds - proteins, amino acids, purpurins
PSP & PSK

PSK (PolySaccharide-Kureha) was discovered and isolated for the first time in 1969. The isolation protocol was patented and after several years of research and clinical trials the product was ratified as an official medicine under the brand name Krestin in 1977 by the Japanese Ministry of Health. Five years later the Chinese professor Qing-yao Yang managed to isolate an even more potent variation from a different strain of mycelia: PSP.

PSP (polysaccharopeptide) was ratified as an official medicine by the Chinese Government in 1992/93.
PSP and PSK have each been extracted from specific strains of the Coriolus mycelia (Cov-1® and CM-101, respectively), and each needs a specific extraction protocol to get the results (as described in the patents)
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Chinese Medicine perspective
Turkey Tail grows naturally around the world, in many types of forests, although it is primarily found throughout mixed hardwood deciduous forests. The cap is characterised by defined bands of different colours ranging from cream, grey, yellow, orange, and brown. The cap’s surface is finely fuzzy or velvety. Many clearly resemble a turkey’s tail. The inner flesh is white and rubbery. They have no gills, they have pores.

Turkey tail is technically edible, however the texture can be described as tough and leathery. For this reason, Turkey Tail is usually dried, ground into a powder, and consumed as tea.

History

Turkey Tail was mentioned in the first written text on medicinal herbs from the Han Dynasty, Shennong Ben Cao Jing (Classic of the Materia Medica), around 200 BC. There are also records of Turkey Tail from the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century Compendium of Materia Medica (Ben Cao Gang Mu) by Li ShiZhen. In this text, it is said that the “The black and green Yun Zhi (Turkey Tail) are beneficial to one’s spirit and vital energy and strengthen one’s tendon and bone. If Yun Zhi is taken for a long time, it will make one vigorous and live long”.
Research articles
"The findings conclude that the T. versicolor could be an alternative source for CNS anti-depressant and antioxidant activity." (2021) Deciphering the CNS anti-depressant, antioxidant and cytotoxic profiling of methanol and aqueous extracts of Trametes versicolor and molecular interactions of its phenolic compounds

"T. versicolor chitosan/PVA nanofibers have good potential for use as wound dressings." (2021) In vivo and in vitro evaluation of the wound healing properties of chitosan extracted from Trametes versicolor

"C. versicolor have now been established to induce direct cytotoxicity to cancer/tumour cells. They also increase the release of cytokines such as TNF-α with direct implication to tumour cell killing." (2020) Trametes versicolor Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Targets and Efficacy

"We conclude that the Coriolus Versicolor extract possesses cytotoxic activity against cancer cells and endothelial cells and has the ability to inhibit the expression of the pro-tumorigenic factors associated with inflammation." (2020) Extract from the Coriolus versicolor Fungus as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent with Cytotoxic Properties against Endothelial Cells and Breast Cancer Cells

"PSP was approved by the authority and has been used clinically in Japan and China since 1970s. PSP is helpful in improving the survival and quality of life in patients suffering cancers, hepatopathy, hyperlipidemia, chronic bronchitis, and other complex diseases." (2019) Coriolus versicolor polysaccharopeptide as an immunotherapeutic in China

"The results of numerous studies and clinical trials confirm that it inhibits the growth of cancer cells in in vitro and in vivo settings as well as decreases cancer treatment-related adverse side effects such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and pain. PSP is able to restore weakened immune response observed in patients with cancer during chemotherapy. Its anti-tumor effects seemed to be mediated through immunomodulatory regulation. PSP stimulates cells of the immune system" (2015) Immunomodulatory and antitumor properties of polysaccharide peptide (PSP)

(2014) Control of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) by medicinal mushrooms, Trametes versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum: a preliminary clinical trial

"...contains putative prebiotic agents that alter human gut microbiota and pH. This prebiotic-like activity may help explain some of the plethora of the health benefits attributed to this traditional Chinese medicine." (2013) Trametes versicolor Extract Modifies Human Fecal Microbiota Composition In vitro

(2011) Coriolus versicolor suppresses inflammatory bowel disease by Inhibiting the expression of STAT1 and STAT6 associated with IFN-γ and IL-4 expression
PSP in clinical cancer therapy - A brief overview of Phase I, II and III trials
The Use of Mushroom Glucans and Proteoglycans in Cancer Treatment
Chemopreventive Effect of PSP Through Targeting of Prostate Cancer Stem Cell-Like Population
Clinical Implications of PSP in Oncology
Coriolus versicolor - Detailed Scientific Review - MD Anderson Cancer center
General review of polysaccharopeptides (PSP) from C. versicolor: Pharmacological and clinical studies - Cancer Therapy
Oral coriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide is beneficial by slowing the progression of lung cancer
Polysaccharopeptides of Coriolus versicolor: physiological activity, uses, and production

Coriolus versicolor

Key Actions:

Research articles