▕　Extracts from shiitake mushroom mycelial culture medium

LEM is "Shiitake mycelium culture medium extract," which is a useful extract extract of shiitake mycelium cultivated for a long period of time.
The mycelium of the shiitake mushroom grows by decomposing logs, sawdust, etc., and later develops on the surface of the logs.
LEM is a substance obtained by inoculating the shiitake mushroom fungus into a medium of "bagasse" and "rice sugar" after extracting the sugar component from sugarcane, and extracting by natural means all of the metabolites obtained through the growth of the shiitake mushroom fungus using its own enzymes and the components obtained by decomposing the mycelium of the shiitake mushroom with its own enzymes.
LEM is a member of the same fermented food group as natto, cheese, yogurt, miso, soy sauce, sake, lactic acid drinks, etc. Fermentation is the process by which microorganisms and their enzymes produce substances that are beneficial to humans.
 

▕　The power of LEM and its evidence　

LEM contains two types of active components: heteropolysaccharides and soluble lignin. Heteropolysaccharides arise primarily from cellulose and hemicellulose, which make up cell walls. The sugars that make up heteropolysaccharides are mainly pentasaccharides such as arabinose and xylose. In addition, water-soluble lignin is derived from water-insoluble lignin that is made soluble by breaking down the lignin that makes up the cell wall. LEM has a variety of effects, including immunomodulating, antiviral, antioxidant, and cancer cell growth inhibitory effects.

▕　Sfety of LEM

The shiitake mycelium used in the production of LEM is the same as that of edible shiitake mushrooms. Therefore, there are no safety issues. In addition, the safety of LEM has been confirmed through various safety tests, including toxicity and mutagenicity tests, conducted by an analytical institution.

 ▕　Example of LEM efficacy test (anti-influenza action)　

 
▒　Inhibition of proliferation
After influenza viruses were infected cultured cells, a given concentration of LEM was added, and plaque area was compared by plaque assay. The results showed that LEM inhibited plaque area expansion in a concentration-dependent manner. This suggested that LEM inhibited the growth of influenza viruses.
 
▒　Inhibition of proliferation
Mice were infected with influenza virus through their nasal cavity and orally administered LEM for 7 days. As a result, the gross lesions with inflammation, hemorrhage and congestion in the lungs of mice orally administered LEM were much smaller than those of mice not administered LEM. This suggested that LEM suppressed lung inflammation.