MC-S

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Australian MC-S product box
Australian MC-S product box

MC-S (Metabolic Cell-Support) is a standardised pharmacological blend of soluble multi branched polysaccharides and polysaccharide-bound proteins derived from medicinal mushrooms and a plant extract. It is sold in Australia as a complementary medicine to improve the body's immune system and assist in prevention of foreign cell growth, cold viruses, flu and secondary infections.

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[edit] Research

Research of MC-S has been completed in Australia primarily at the University of Newcastle. The in-vivo and in-vitro immune-stimulating properties of MC-S indicate that it is a biological response modifier(1,2,4). Research has shown that MC-S promotes the proliferation of Natural killer cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells and B cells (peripheral blood lymphocytes)[1].This is likely due to the up regulation of cytokine production [2].The anti-tumour activity of MC-S has been shown in-vitro to significantly inhibit the growth of breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and melanoma cells in hypothesized cell culture conditions (μg/ml) comparable to human therapeutic doses.(4) A double blind placebo controlled study monitoring healthy adults showed that MC-S was effective as an anti-viral agent which can significantly reduce the incidents of colds, flu and secondary infections in-vivo [3].

[edit] Benefits and effects

The commercial nutraceutical MC-S has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth, HIV induced syncytia formation, significantly increased the expression of the T-cell growth factor Interleukin 2 (IL-2) and the anti-viral cytokine interferon (IFN) in-vivo(2,4). This research has demonstrated that the commercial nutraceutical MC-S is selective in its action by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation while enhancing immune cell production at comparable doses[4]. These findings indicate MC-S may offer additional adjunctive benefits to standard oncology / immunology protocols(1,2,3,4).

[edit] Official recognition

World Health Organisation (WHO) - WHOCPP 08/0533

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) certificate of analysis: 45351. Approval was given to MC-S in 2008 so that it can be legally used by athletes[5].

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) AUST L138610

[edit] Ingredients

The compounds of MC-S have been extensively researched and been shown to be safe for human consumption and beneficial to the immune system[6].

[edit] References

  1. ^ The University of Newcastle Research Associates (TUNRA), The School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, 2007, An in vitro proliferation study using the commercial nutraceutical MC-S on non-stimulated human lymphocytes
  2. ^ The South Asian Epidemiology Research Group 2008, The in vivo in vitro anti-HIV activity and cellular immune stimulating effects of the pharmacological compound, MC-S
  3. ^ Human Health Research Australia, Clark D, 2007. A double blind placebo controlled study monitoring healthy adults taking the commercial preparation of MC-S
  4. ^ The University of Newcastle Research Associates (TUNRA), The School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, 2008, The commercial nutraceutical MC-S inhibits cancer cell growth
  5. ^ HFL England, WADA approved laboratory, UKAS Testing Laboratory No: 1187, MC-S (Metabolic Cell-Support) Certificate of analysis: 45351, 2008
  6. ^ Kidd P. M. 2000. The use of mushroom glucans and proteoglycans in cancer treatment. Alternative Medicine Review, 5, 4-27