Herb Profile

Maitake D Fraction

Grifola frondosa

Maitake D fraction (Grifola frondosa) carries a Grade C rating — limited evidence.

Last reviewed: 3 sources citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·C Limited

Use extra caution Immune active mushroom extract; use caution with immunosuppressants, transplant medicines, autoimmune disease, and during active cancer treatment unless clinician supervised. Details

Evidence
Limited Evidence
Typical onset
Varies by prep
Safety rating
High caution
Best for
Immune, Inflammatory signaling
Avoid / review if
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Without Clinician Supervision, Known Allergy To The Plant/Family, Potential Interaction Concern With Immunosuppressants
Maitake D Fraction monograph visual
Generated profile category visual

At a glance

From this profile's structured data
Evidence
Grade C
Safety
Immune-active mushroom extract; use caution with immunosuppressants, transplant medicines, autoimmune disease, and during active cancer treatment unless clinician-supervised.
Profile context
immune
Next steps

Continue reading

  • If you want to browse more herbsAll herbs

Safety

Safety & Cautions

Immune active mushroom extract; use caution with immunosuppressants, transplant medicines, autoimmune disease, and during active cancer treatment unless clinician supervised.

High caution

Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.

  • Interaction-AwareMedication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding CautionPregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Detailed safety fields

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications

  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Without Clinician Supervision
  • Known Allergy To The Plant/Family
  • Potential Interaction Concern With Immunosuppressants
  • Use Clinician Review For High Dose Extracts Or Chronic Use.

Safety classifications

  • Interaction-Aware: Medication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution: Pregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.

Full safety note

  • Immune active mushroom extract; use caution with immunosuppressants, transplant medicines, autoimmune disease, and during active cancer treatment unless clinician supervised.

Safety labels

  • Interaction-Aware
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution

Evidence

Evidence Summary

Evidence lens

Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.

LimitedLimited Evidence

Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals

Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mappedInflammatory Signaling Modulation · Immune Signaling Modulation · NF KB Modulation

Research maturity: Emerging researchLong Term Human Evidence May Be Limited.

Safety boundary: Safety note availableImmune active mushroom extract; use caution with immunosuppressants, transplant medicines, autoimmune disease, and during active cancer treatment unless clinician supervised.

This profile cites 3 human studies.

Study design details
Evidence Grade

Grade C: Limited Evidence

Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.

Design Match
Randomized controlled trial
Risk of Bias
Low
Consistency
Not assessed
Strongest recorded design is a randomized controlled trial, drawn from 2 recorded studies, 2 in people.
How evidence grades work

Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.

Strong
Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
Moderate
Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
Preliminary / Mixed
Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
Traditional / Theoretical
Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (4)1 human evidence source · 1 human trial · ~141 participants across 1 human evidence source with reported N · Consistency not yet classifiable

Filter by study class

Showing 4 of 4 studies.

What the evidence actually shows

This table contains 4 structured sources, including 1 human evidence source; 1 is a human trial. Across 1 human evidence source with a reported sample size, the approximate participant total is 141; overlapping publications may include some of the same people.

StudyDesignNDoseDurationPopulationOutcomeResult & magnitudeSource

Effect of Maitake D-fraction in advanced laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers during concurrent chemoradiotherapy: A randomized clinical trial

Hu Q et al. · Acta Biochim Pol · 2022

Background
Randomized controlled trial

Randomly assigns participants to interventions or controls, reducing many sources of bias when the trial is conducted well.

n=141PubMed

Antitumoral and antimetastatic activity of Maitake D-Fraction in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Alonso EN et al. · Oncotarget · 2018

Background
Other / unclear

The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy.

PubMed

Maitake (D fraction) mushroom extract induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells by BAK-1 gene activation

Soares R et al. · J Med Food · 2011

Background
Other / unclear

The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy.

PubMed

A very small human study (10 cancer patients) evaluated Maitake D-fraction and natural-killer-cell activity. The nondefinitive design and tiny sample do not support cancer-treatment efficacy claims.

Background
Other / unclear

The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy.

A very small human study (10 cancer patients) evaluated Maitake D-fraction and natural-killer-cell activity. The nondefinitive design and tiny sample do not support cancer-treatment efficacy claims.PubMed

Dosing & Timing

No standardized dose
Preparation specific; use standardized product label for Preparation varies by tradition and product form and require source backed dosage review before therapeutic claims.
How Maitake D Fraction works

Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.

Mechanism Pathway — How Maitake D Fraction Works

How Maitake D Fraction WorksMaitake D Fraction acts on biological target pathways via anti inflammatory, leading to immune defense.Maitake D FractionBiological TargetBiological pathwayAnti InflammatoryImmune DefensePathogen resistanceImmune ModulationParallel pathway
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
  • Inflammatory Signaling Modulation
  • Immune Signaling Modulation
  • NF KB Modulation

Active Compounds

Key constituents studied in Maitake D Fraction, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.

Compare related active botanicals

Explore botanicals with similar chemistry, effects, or safety considerations in the Botanical Activity Atlas.

Guides that use Maitake D Fraction

Condition guides

Compare & Sourcing

Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.

Review available sources for Maitake D Fraction

Independent database mapping — evaluated separately from safety and efficacy scores.

Check sourcing options

Affiliate disclosure: Shopping links may earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Links are chosen on quality and availability, never commission tiers; safety warnings and evidence ratings stay independent.

Safety first · Harm reduction

This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.

Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.

Editorial Review

Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.

Editorial Standards →

Help improve this profile

Was this useful for your research?

These controls record only the page and the structured choice you make when analytics consent is enabled. Please don’t include personal medical information in research requests.

Was this evidence summary clear?

Did you find what you were researching?

Free safety checklist

Get the Maitake D Fraction research notes

Evidence summaries, dosing context, and safety updates for this herb — straight to your inbox.

We use your email to send the checklist and occasional evidence-first supplement updates. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy.