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Poria

Also known as: Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, Wolfiporia cocos, Wolfiporia extensa, Fuling, Hoelen, Tuckahoe, Poria cocos

Overview

Poria cocos, also known as Wolfiporia cocos, Fuling, Hoelen, or Tuckahoe, is an edible medicinal mushroom used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 2,000 years. It is the dried sclerotium of the fungus and belongs to the family Polyporaceae. This mushroom is rich in bioactive compounds like tumulosic acid and pachymic acid, contributing to its various health applications. Primarily, Poria cocos is used to address health conditions such as ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and sleep disorders. Research on Poria cocos is moderately mature, with several systematic reviews and meta-analyses available, providing moderate to high-quality evidence supporting its benefits. It is often used in conjunction with conventional treatments to enhance their effectiveness and reduce side effects.

Benefits

Poria cocos has shown promise in several key areas: * **Ovarian Cancer:** Meta-analyses indicate that Poria cocos-based formulas, when combined with chemotherapy (paclitaxel-carboplatin), significantly improve tumor response rates, Karnofsky Performance Scale scores, and reduce chemotherapy side effects. This is supported by multiple RCTs. * **Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM):** Systematic reviews of RCTs demonstrate that adding Poria cocos formulae to hypoglycaemic agents reduces fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and haemoglobin A1c, indicating improved glycemic control. * **Sleep Quality:** Clinical trials using Poria cocos ethanol extract have shown improvements in sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and a decrease in wake after sleep onset (WASO). Participants reported subjective improvements in sleep quality within a few days of use. Additionally, Poria cocos may improve the quality of life for ovarian cancer patients, although the evidence is somewhat controversial.

How it works

Poria cocos exerts its effects through several biological pathways. In ovarian cancer, its anti-cancer effect may be related to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, with tumulosic acid inhibiting ovarian cancer by regulating BCL2L1 and modulating this pathway. Regarding sleep, Poria cocos ethanol extract modulates sleep architectures via activation of GABA-ergic transmission. The known molecular targets include BCL2L1 for ovarian cancer and GABA receptors for sleep regulation. While the bioavailability of Poria cocos compounds is not extensively detailed, the observed effects suggest adequate absorption.

Side effects

Poria cocos is generally well-tolerated when used in combination with other treatments. Common side effects are not specifically reported in the reviewed studies, but combination therapies have been noted to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. Uncommon and rare side effects are not detailed in the reviewed studies. No significant drug interactions have been reported, but caution is advised when combining with other medications due to the lack of comprehensive interaction studies. Contraindications are not specifically identified in the reviewed studies. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should use Poria cocos with caution due to the lack of specific safety data. Long-term safety and potential interactions with other medications require further investigation.

Dosage

Dosage guidelines for Poria cocos are not clearly defined in the reviewed studies. For T2DM, studies involved various herbal formulae containing Poria cocos, but specific dosage ranges were not standardized. The maximum safe dose is not established. For sleep quality, ethanol extracts have been used in clinical trials, with the extract taken before bedtime. Minimum effective dose is not clearly defined. Absorption factors have not been extensively studied. Due to the lack of standardized dosage information, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using Poria cocos, especially when combining it with other treatments.

FAQs

Is Poria cocos safe?

Poria cocos is generally well-tolerated, but long-term safety and potential interactions with other medications need further investigation. Consult with a healthcare provider before use.

When should I take Poria cocos?

For sleep, take the extract before bedtime. For other conditions, follow the specific regimen outlined in clinical trials or as advised by a healthcare professional.

What results can I expect from taking Poria cocos?

Potential benefits include improvements in sleep quality, glycemic control, and quality of life in ovarian cancer patients, based on available research.

Can Poria cocos replace standard medical treatments?

No, Poria cocos is not a replacement for standard medical treatments but can be used as an adjunct therapy under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Research Sources

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.788810/full – This meta-analysis of 13 RCTs (922 ovarian cancer patients) found that Poria cocos-based formulas, when combined with chemotherapy, improved tumor response rates, Karnofsky Performance Scale scores, and reduced chemotherapy side effects. The study suggests that Poria cocos may enhance the efficacy and tolerability of chemotherapy in ovarian cancer treatment, although some controversy remains regarding quality of life improvements.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/19/4242 – A clinical trial using Poria cocos ethanol extract demonstrated improvements in sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and a decrease in wake after sleep onset (WASO) in participants experiencing insomnia. Subjective improvements in sleep quality were reported within a few days of use, suggesting that Poria cocos may modulate sleep architectures via activation of GABA-ergic transmission.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36455062/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis of 73 RCTs (6,489 T2DM participants) found that adding Poria cocos formulae to hypoglycaemic agents reduced fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and haemoglobin A1c. The study indicates that Poria cocos may offer significant glycemic control benefits when used in conjunction with conventional diabetes treatments, although high heterogeneity and risk of bias were noted in some studies.
https://jmla.pitt.edu/ojs/jmla/article/download/1223/1368 – This article discusses the use of traditional Chinese medicine in cancer treatment, highlighting the potential benefits of herbs like Poria cocos in improving patient outcomes and reducing side effects of conventional therapies. It emphasizes the importance of integrating TCM with conventional medicine to provide comprehensive care for cancer patients.
https://caccl-monterey.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=cdi_doaj_primary_oai_doaj_org_article_8e774d2b6725432b8ab70ec365f32bf4&context=PC&vid=01CACCL_MONTEREY%3AMONTEREY&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Primo+Central&tab=Everything&query=sub%2Cexact%2C+Blood+glucose+%2CAND&mode=advanced&offset=80 – This resource likely contains information related to blood glucose control and the potential role of Poria cocos in managing blood sugar levels. Further review of the full text would be needed to extract specific findings and conclusions related to Poria cocos and its effects on blood glucose.