Study type: 

Preliminary clinical trial 

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of turkey tail in combination with reishi mushroom on oral human papillomavirus (HPV). Oral HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that mostly spreads through oral sex or mouth-to-mouth contact. 

Dose:

200 mg/day of turkey tail and reishi mushrooms (2 x 100 mg capsules) or 400 mg/day of chicken of the woods mushroom (2 x 200 mg capsules)

Participants:

61 oral HPV positive patients 

Duration:

2 months

Results:

The researchers observed that in the group receiving turkey tail and reishi mushroom treatment, 87.8% of the cases showed clearance of oral HPV after 2 months of administration. In contrast, in the control group (treated with chicken of the woods mushroom), only 5% of the cases showed clearance of oral HPV. No adverse events were reported during the study. The results suggest that the combination of turkey tail and reishi mushroom may be an effective treatment for eliminating oral HPV infections.

Year:

2014

Link:

https://doi.org/10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.v16.i5.80

Study type: 

Randomised clinical trial

Purpose:

To compare the effects of turkey tail mushroom polysaccharopeptide to a commonly used antibiotic medication (amoxicillin) on the human gut microbiome. The human gut microbiome is a complex collection of microorganisms in the digestive tract that influence digestion, metabolism, immune function, and mental health, contributing to overall well-being.

Dose:

3600 mg/day of turkey tail mushroom polysaccharopeptide (3 x 1200 mg capsules) or 750 mg/day of amoxicillin (3 x 250 mg)  or placebo

Participants:

22 healthy volunteers with an average age of 31 years

Duration:

8 weeks 

Results:

In healthy individuals, the gut microbiome, which refers to the vast community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract, is incredibly diverse, meaning there is a vast array of different microorganisms. The diversity of the gut microbiome is essential for its proper functioning and its ability to support overall health.

In the study, antibiotic treatment caused substantial, unfavourable microbiome changes, most notably an increase in Escherichia (E. coli)/Shigella. These changes persisted to the end of the study, 42 days after antibiotic therapy ended. Recovery from this disruption to the microbiome can take several weeks.

Turkey tail treatment, on the other hand, was found to have the ability to modulate or change the composition of the microbiome in a way that promotes a healthier balance of microorganisms. By acting as a prebiotic (a type of dietary fibre that serves as food for beneficial gut bacteria), turkey tail polysaccharopeptide may positively influence the diversity and overall composition of the microbiome in the human gut.

Year:

2014

Link:

https://doi.org/10.4161/gmic.29558

Study type: 

Animal study (mice)

Purpose:

To investigate the effect of turkey tail mycelium extract on exercise performance and physical fatigue in mice.

Dose:

615, 1230 or 3075 mg/kg/day of turkey tail mycelium extract or control (distilled water)

Duration:

4 weeks

Results:

Turkey tail mycelium had positive effects on exercise performance and fatigue in mice. There was a significant increase in forelimb grip strength in mice treated with turkey tail, compared to the control group. After engaging in swimming, mice treated with turkey tail exhibited lower blood levels of molecules called creatine kinase, serum lactate, and ammonia, in comparison to the control group. Lower levels of these molecules can indicate improved exercise performance, reduced muscle fatigue, and enhanced recovery. Higher levels of these molecules are often associated with fatigue and muscle fatigue. Further, turkey tail supplementation favourably lowered blood sugar levels and did not result in any kidney damage.

Overall, the findings suggest that turkey tail mycelium extract may have potential benefits in enhancing physical performance, reducing fatigue, and maintaining metabolic health.

Year:

2017

Link:

https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.20547