D-fraction (Grifola frondosa proteoglucan)

Clinical trial

Protein-bound beta-1,6/1,3-glucan polysaccharide

Mechanism of Action

Activates innate immune cells by binding Dectin-1 and TLR-2 receptors on macrophages, dendritic cells, and NK cells. Enhances phagocytosis, cytokine production (IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α), and dendritic cell maturation, shifting the immune response toward a Th1-dominant profile. Promotes NK cell cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines. The protein component enhances intestinal absorption of the glucan fraction.

Research Notes

MaitakeMushroom

Nanba and colleagues demonstrated D-fraction's anti-tumor activity in sarcoma 180-bearing mice (1987–1995), with tumor regression rates of 70–90% in some models. A Phase I/II trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering (Deng et al., 2009) in 34 postmenopausal breast cancer patients showed that D-fraction stimulated NK cell activity and enhanced immunological function without significant adverse effects. Kodama et al. (2003) published case series data suggesting clinical benefit in hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer patients receiving D-fraction adjunctively. No large-scale RCTs completed as of 2025.

Found In 1 Herb

Maitake

Mushroom

3D Molecular Structure

Protein-bound beta-1,6/1,3-glucan polysaccharide

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D-fraction (Grifola frondosa proteoglucan)

Protein-bound beta-1,6/1,3-glucan polysaccharideComplex carbohydrate polymers that modulate immune response

Representative pattern: (C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Atoms

Carbon

Oxygen

Live Research

Open on PubMed

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