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Research

I’M-YUNITY® IS BASED ON SOUND RESEARCH.

I’m-Yunity® is a well-researched mushroom health supplement made from the mycelium extract of Yunzhi mushroom (Coriolus Versicolor). Over the last 20 years, our company group has supported studies including clinical trials to identify the active ingredient groups of polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and demonstrate its immune health benefits in the body. Following are a few key findings. To receive more information about PSP research, please contact us.

Dogs clinical study: Single Agent Polysaccharopeptide Delays Metastases and Improves Survival in Naturally Occurring Hemangiosarcoma

Research Article: Compound Derived From Mushroom Lengthens Survival Time in Dogs With Cancer

GIVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM A DAILY BOOST

Studies have shown that polysaccharopeptide (PSP), the key ingredient in I'm-Yunity® extract, supports immune health and helps stabalize white blood cell counts. It enhances quality of life by maintaining good energy levels and appetite.

SOUND RESEARCH, STRONG PROTECTION

I'm-Yunity® extract effectively delivers polysaccharopeptite (PSP), isolated from the COV-1® strain of the Coriolus Versicolor mushroom, also known as Yunzhi. Ancient practitioners have known for centuries that Yunzhi is good for maintaining general health and preserving the normal aging process if taken appropriately. 

REGAIN YOUR NATURAL BALANCE

In Chinese medicine, there is no specific term for "immunity." Chinese medicine focuses on the internal harmony of qi to maintain immune health. This internal harmony encompasses the balance of qi movement throughout the body and the balance of qi in the organs.
Researchers from all fields including western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and immunology have been investigating some medicinal mushroom’s ability to inhibit tumor growth, alter immune function, exhibit antibacterial and antiviral activity, and thus they have been subjects of research for approximately 50 years.
The most researched of the medicinal mushrooms are Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi, turkey tail mushroom) and Ganoderma lucidium (Lingzhi, reishi).

STRONG IMMUNITY AS STRONG PROTECTION

Phase I (21 cases, 1 hospital), Phase II (485 cases, 8 hospitals) and Phase III (650 cases, 14 hospitals) randomized controlled clinical trials showed that our Yunzhi polysaccharopeptide (PSP) supports normal immune function and benefits general well being. These results were reflected in the increase in the activity of natural killer cells [2], increase in the production of interleukin-2[1][2] and increase in the ratio of helper T cells (CD4+) to cytotoxic T cells (CD8+)[1][2] in comparison with the control group. The above are all immune cells and proteins responsible for guarding against and killing any foreign bodies and abnormal cells in the body. Their increase suggests our Yunzhi polysaccharopeptide (PSP) possess immune supporting benefits and potentially can enhance our immune surveillance.

MAINTAINING WHITE BLOOD CELL LEVELS

Another clinical study carried out by clinical oncologists successfully showed Yunzhi polysaccharopeptide (PSP) was able to maintain white blood cell counts in comparison with a control group.[5] Additionally recently published phase II (34 cases)[7] double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized clinical trial reported that study subjects taking polysaccharopeptide for four weeks (PSP) had significant improvement in their white blood cell and neutrophil counts, serum Immunoglobin G and Immunoglobin M (two types of antibodies in the serum of blood) (p < 0.05) compared with their pretreatment values.[6]

INCREASED IMMUNE PROTEINS

Other experimental studies suggest our Yunzhi polysaccharopeptide (PSP) can induce the increase of cytokines (immune proteins) such as an increase in a and g-interferon production[7] and an increase of helper T cells (CD4+) under certain experimental conditions[8]. Moreover, Yunzhi polysaccharopeptide (PSP) was shown to activate macrophages, which secrete tumour necrosis factors and other reactive intermediates to mediate immunomodulatory effects[9]. An animal study also suggested Yunzhi polysaccharopeptide (PSP) may counteract the depressive effect of certain drugs on white blood cell counts and interleukin-2 production.[10]

LOOKING AT DRUG-HERB INTERACTIONS

The most recent clinical study conducted in the US investigated the ability of I’m-Yunity® to inhibit or induce the drug metabolism of CYP3A4 in healthy adult human subjects by using an erythromycin breath test (EBT). A 14-day course of I’m-Yunity® was not associated with any clinically significant CYP3A4 inhibition or induction. This suggests that the administration of I’m-Yunity® with other medications and dietary supplements which are primarily metabolized by CYP3A4, a subtype of the P450 enzyme pathway, is not expected to be associated with significant herb-drug interactions.[11]


References

  1. Xu. G.M. Phase I clinical test report of PSP capsules. In Proceedings of PSP International Symposium (Edited by Yang. Q.Y. and Kowk C.Y.), 179-182 (1993).
  2. Liu, J.X. et al. Phase II clinical trial for PSP capsules. In Proceedings of PSP International Symposium (Edited by Yang. Q.Y. and Kowk C.Y.), 183-208 (1993).
  3. Liu, J.X. Phase III clinil trial for Yun Zhi polysaccharopeptide (PSP) capsules. In Advanced Research in PSP 1999(Edited by Yang. Q.Y.), 295-303 (1999)
  4. Xu. G.M. The effect of PSP on improving immunity for gastric cancer patients. In Proceedings of PSP International Symposium (Edited by Yang. Q.Y. and Kowk C.Y.), 263-264 (1993).
  5. Shui. W.C.T. et al. A clinical study of PSP on peripheral blood counts during chemotherapy. Phytother. Res. 6, 217-218 (1992).
  6. Tsang. K.W. et al. Coriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide slows progression of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Resp. Med. 97, 618-624 (2003).
  7. Yang, J.C. The stimulative and inductive effects of Coriolus Versicolor polysaccharide peptide (PSP) on interferon. In Advanced Research in PSP 1999 (Edited by Yang, Q.Y.). 164-167 (1999).
  8. Li, X.Y. Advances in immunomodulating studies of PSP. In Advanced Research in PSP 1999 (Edited by Yang, Q.Y.), 39-46 (1999).
    Liu, W.K. et al. Evidence that Coriolus Versicolor polysaccharide acts on tumor cells through an immunomodulatory effect on macrophages. In Advanced Research in PSP 1999(Edited by Yang, Q.Y.), 187-191 (1999).
  9. Qian, Z.M. et al. Polysaccharide peptide (PSP) restores immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide in rats. Am. J Chin. Med. 25, 27-35 (1997).
  10. Guglielmo, B.J. et al. In vivo effect of I’m-Yunity® on Hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4. J. Herb. Pharmacother.7(1), in press.
    Ng TB. A review of research on the protein-bound polysaccharide (polysaccharopeptide. PSP) from the mushroom Coriolus versicolor (Basidiomycetes: Polyporaceae). Gen Pharmacol., 30(1), pp. 1-4. (1998)
  11. Nicandro JP, Tsourounis C, Frassetto L and Guglielmo BJ. In vivo effect of I’m-Yunity on hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4, J Herb Pharmacother, 7(1), pp. 39-56. (2007).

2014 Clinical (Human)
Kumar Pallav, Scot E Dowd, Javier Villafuerte, Xiaotong Yang, Toufic Kabbani, Joshua Hansen, Melinda Dennis, Daniel A Leffler, David S Newburg, Ciarán P Kelly Effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes Versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: A randomized clinical trial

2013 In Vitro

Yu ZT1, Liu B, Mukherjee P, Newburg DS. Trametes versicolor extract modifies human fecal microbiota composition in vitro.

2012 Clinical (Dogs)

Brown, Dorothy Cimino; Reetz, Jennifer. Single agent polysaccharopeptide delays metastases and improves survival in naturally occurring hemangiosarcoma. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. eCAM 2012: 384301, (2012).

2008 In vitro

Wan JM, Sit WH, Louie JC. Polysaccharopeptide enhances the anticancer activity of doxorubicin and etoposide on human breast cancer cells ZR-75-30. Int J Oncol. 32(3):689-699 (2008).

Lee CL, Sit WH, Jiang PP, So IW, Wan JM. Polysaccharopeptide mimics ciclosporin-mediated Th1/Th2 cytokine balance for suppression of activated human T cell proliferation by MAPKp38 and STAT5 pathways. J Pharm Pharmacol. 60(11): 1491-9 (2008).

2007 Clinical (Human)

Guglielmo, B.J. et al. In vivo effect of I’m-Yunity® on Hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4. J. Herb. Pharmacother. 7(1), 39-56 (2007).

2007 In vitro

Lee CL, Jiang PP, Sit WH, Wan JM. Proteome of human T lymphocytes with treatment of cyclosporine and polysaccharopeptide: analysis of significant proteins that manipulate T cells proliferation and immunosuppression. Int Immunopharmacol. 7(10): 1311-24 (2007).

2006 In vitro & animal

Chan, S.L. et al. Effects of polysaccharide peptide (PSP) from Coriolus versicolor on the pharmacokinetics of cyclophosphamide in the rat and cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Food Chem. Toxicol. 44, 689-694 (2006).

2006 In vitro

Wu, J.M. et al. Induction of cell cycle changes and modulation of apoptogenic/anti-apoptotic and extracellular signaling regulatory protein expression by water extracts of I’m-Yunity® (PSP). BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 6, 30 (2006)

Hsieh TC and Wu JM. Differential control of growth, cell cycle progression, and gene expression in human estrogen receptor positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells by extracts derived from polysaccharopeptide I’m-Yunity® and Danshen and their combination. Intern J Oncol. 29, 1215-1222 (2006).

2005 Clinical (Human)

Wong, C.K., et al. Immunomodulatory activities of Yunzhi and Danshen in post-treatment breast cancer patients. Am. J. Chin. Med. 33, 381-395 (2005).

2005 In vitro

Zeng, F. et al. Molecular characterization of Coriolus versicolor PSP-induced apoptosis in human promyelotic leukemic HL-60 using cDNA microarray. Int. J. Oncol. 27, 513-523 (2005).

Hui, K.P. et al. Induction of S phase cell arrest and caspase activation by polysaccharide peptide isolated from Coriolus versicolorenhanced the cell cycle dependent activity and apoptotic cell death of doxorubicin and etoposide, but not cytarabine in HL-60 cells. Oncol. Rep. 14, 145-155 (2005).

Yang X. et al. The cell death process of the anticancer agent polysaccharide-peptide (PSP) in human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells. Oncol. Rep. 13, 1201-1210 (2005).

2003 Clinical (Human)

Tsang, K.W. et al. Coriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide slows progression of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Resp. Med. 97, 618-624 (2003).

2002 In vitro

Hsieh, T.C. Wu, J.M. et al. Effects of extracts of Coriolus versicolor (I’m Yunity®) on cell-cycle progression and expression of Interleukins-1ß, -6, and -8 in promyelocytic HL-60 leukemic cells and mitogenically stimulated and nonstimulated human lymphocytes. J. Altern. Complem. Med. 8, 591-602 (2002).

2001 In vitro

Hsieh, T.C. Wu, J.M. et al. Cell growth and gene modulatory activities of Yunzhi (Winsor Wunxi) from mushroom Trametes versicolor in androgen-dependent and androgen-insensitive human prostate cancer cells. Int. J. Oncol. 18, 81-88 (2001).

Mao, X.W. et al. Evaluation of polysaccharopeptide effects against C6 glioma in combination with radiation. Oncology. 61, 243-246 (2001).

2000 Review

Kidd, P.M. The use of mushroom glucans and proteoglycans in cancer treatment. Altern. Med. Rev. 5, 4-27 (2000).