IngredientsHypsizygus marmoreus (Peck) H.E. Bigelow is the formal scientific name most widely used in the peer-reviewed literature, particularly that originating from Asia. Its full taxonomic placement within the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy is: kingdom Fungi, phylum Basidiomycota, class Agaricomycetes, order Agaricales, family Lyophyllaceae, genus Hypsizygus, species Hypsizygus marmoreus. The species was originally described as Agaricus marmoreus Peck, 1872; the NCBI BLAST designation is basidiomycete fungi.
The basionym of the closely related European taxon is Agaricus tessulatus Bulliard, 1791, first described from European collections; Rolf Singer transferred it to the new genus Hypsizygus in 1947. Index Fungorum and Species Fungorum now treat H. tessulatus and H. marmoreus as the same species, with H. tessulatus taking nomenclatural priority because Bulliard's 1791 publication predates Peck's. Most peer-reviewed scientific literature — particularly from Asia where most cultivation research originates — uses the name H. marmoreus.
Historically recognized synonyms include Agaricus marmoreus Peck, Clitocybe marmorea (Peck) Sacc., Clitocybe submarmorea Murrill, and Hypsizigus marmoreus (Peck) Bigelow (alternate spelling).
The wild species of the genus Hypsizygus are parasites (they grow on the trunks and large branches of trees) and saprophytes. Wild H. marmoreus is native to East Asia, where it is a popular and widely cultivated species for consumption and medicinal use. It generally grows well in the stumps of beech, maple, and blighted trees. The natural habitats of this species are Korea, Japan, China, and northern Europe, and it grows primarily in autumn and winter.
The whitish cap has distinct patches of darker yellow-brown near-circular spots or markings; its margin is inrolled in youth and expands to become nearly flat in age. Its closely spaced white to cream-colored gills are slightly notched at the stipe apex. The cap can measure between 2 and 5 cm in diameter, and the stem is long and slender, reaching up to 10 cm in length.
Japan is the largest producer and consumer of this species, and its commercial cultivation there began in 1972. Two varieties of this species are grown for commercial use: white and brown. Beech mushrooms are edible mushrooms commercially used in South Korea; they can be classified into white and brown according to their pigmentation. H. marmoreus is the third most widely cultivated industrialized mushroom in China, behind only Flammulina velutipes and Pleurotus eryngii.
Phylogenetic analysis has noted that the inclusion of Japanese white strains in a particular genetic group provides clues to their origin, aligning with historical practices during the Meiji era in Japan involving the systematic introduction of edible fungal germplasms from the Asian mainland.
Shimeji mushrooms have their roots in East Asia, where they have been consumed for centuries. Their cultivation spread to other parts of the world, and today they are popular in international cuisine. These mushrooms have been used in traditional Japanese and Chinese dishes, such as soups, noodles, rice, and stews.
H. marmoreus is native to East Asia, where it is a popular and widely cultivated species for consumption and medicinal use. This mushroom is important in the traditional cuisine of Japan, used in soups, stews, and nabe hot pot dishes.
The nutritional and health-promoting properties of mushrooms were reported thousands of years ago, and mushroom cultivation in Asian countries, particularly in China, dates back several centuries. The available historical record for H. marmoreus specifically as a distinct medicinal ingredient is less extensively documented in classical pharmacopeias than mushrooms such as Ganoderma lucidum or Lentinula edodes; the species is primarily documented in food and culinary traditions, with medicinal attributions largely carried through the broader East Asian tradition of edible fungi as health-promoting foods.
The currently available studies, mainly from Asian countries, focus on the therapeutic effects of H. marmoreus. Its dietary effect is attributed to active substances such as polysaccharides, proteins, essential amino acids, lectins, vitamins, and enzymes. Due to the presence of these compounds, this species shows, among other things, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypertensive, anticancer, and antiallergic properties.
Dried H. marmoreus contains 21.85% protein, 2.74% crude fiber, 3.64% crude fat, 7.64% ash, and 4.8% polysaccharides. Fruiting body of H. marmoreus (brown cultivar) has been reported to contain 27.3% crude protein, 55.8% total sugar, and 11,109.3 mg/100 g dry weight of malic acid.
This mushroom contains complete kinds of amino acids, including the 8 essential amino acids of the human body, and several kinds of polysaccharide.
H. marmoreus polysaccharides (HPS) are an essential source of active polysaccharides, mainly consisting of rhamnose (Rha), mannose (Man), galactose (Gal), and glucose (Glc). They also contain abundant antioxidant groups such as carboxyl, carbonyl, and ester, which have anti-inflammatory activity, anti-tumor activity, and antioxidant activity.
Its antitumor polysaccharide, β-(1-3)-D-glucan, has demonstrated anticancer activity. A water-soluble polysaccharide was extracted from H. marmoreus whose main chain consisted of a β-(1–6)-glucan. Oliveira et al. (2019) found a fucomannogalactan from H. marmoreus, whose main chain involved α-(1–6)-linked galactopyranose, substituted by α-l-fucopyranose and β-d-mannopyranose.
Four proteoglycans were sequentially extracted from H. marmoreus, found to contain carbohydrates (19.8–82.4%) with various amounts of proteins (7.7–67.3%), with glucose as the major monosaccharide unit present, along with trace amounts of galactose.
H. marmoreus produces the terpene compound hypsiziprenol A9, which has antitumor properties. Seven sterols and three hypsiziprenols were isolated from the non-saponifiable lipid (NSL) fraction of the extract of H. marmoreus. The caps of both beech mushroom strains contained more hypsiziprenols than the stipe; the brown mushroom had more hypsiziprenols than the white one. Hypsiziprenols positively correlated with cytotoxic activities against a cancerous cell line.
The thermostable ribosome-inactivating protein hypsin, which can be extracted from the fruiting body of the mushroom, has antifungal and antiproliferative properties. A putative gene (Hypma_04324) encoding the antifungal and antiproliferative hypsin protein with 75% sequence identity with the previously known N-terminal sequence has been identified in genome sequencing.
A novel fungal immunomodulatory protein (FIP), identified as FIP-hma, was discovered in the genome of H. marmoreus. Bioinformatics analysis suggested FIP-hma contained the cerato-platanin (CP) conserved domain and was categorized into Cerato-type FIP. In phylogenetic analysis, FIP-hma was clustered into a new branch of the FIP family, displaying large systemic divergence from most other FIPs. The iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels of RAW 264.7 macrophages were upregulated by rFIP-hma, indicating its activation of an immune response by regulating central cytokines.
Most FIPs exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects by inducing IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, and TNF-α production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and inhibiting the overproduction of T helper-2 (Th2) cytokines common in an allergy reaction.
Among sterols isolated from H. marmoreus, ergosterol exhibited a moderate inhibitory effect against Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells. It is considered a potentially important chemopreventive compound from the species, as the most predominant lipid constituent, and has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the promotion of skin papillomas caused by TPA.
H. marmoreus mycelium from in vitro cultures is a good source of indole compounds, bioelements, glucans, and lovastatin. Mycelia from in vitro cultures showed the most diverse composition of indole compounds (L-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, tryptamine, 5-methyltryptamine, and melatonin). The dominant indole compound was 5-OH-L-tryptophan both in extracts derived from fruiting bodies and in mycelium collected from in vitro culture with the addition of zinc hydroaspartate (28–109 mg/100 g dry weight).
Indole compounds are among the most important antioxidant compounds found in many mushroom species, and they determine the dietary and medicinal value of mushrooms. These compounds play an extremely important role in the prevention of depression, besides showing procognitive and antioxidant activities.
Other compounds also identified in H. marmoreus include ergothioneine, which is a thiol compound with strong antioxidant activity, sterols, lovastatin, phenolic compounds, glucans, and macro- and microelements. Extracts from H. marmoreus fruiting bodies contain substantial amounts of phenolic compounds (5.10–9.96 mg/g extract) and flavonoids (1.92–5.13 mg/g extract).
The antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor in water extracts from the brown-cultivar fruiting body of Hypsizygus marmoreus was purified, and the purified ACE inhibitor with inhibitory activity of IC50 value of 0.19 mg/mL was obtained. The purified ACE inhibitor was found to be a new oligopeptide with the sequence LSMGSASLSP. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 567.3 Da, and the water extracts containing this ACE inhibitor showed a clear antihypertensive action in a spontaneously hypertensive rat.
A total of 42 metabolites (37 volatiles, two phenolics, and three carbohydrates) were quantified in white beech mushrooms, and 47 (42 volatiles, two phenolics, and three carbohydrates) were detected in brown mushrooms. The major volatiles detected were hexanal, pentanal, 1-hexanol, and 1-pentanol. Brown mushrooms contained higher levels of hexanal (64%) than white mushrooms (35%), whereas white mushrooms had higher levels of pentanal (11%) and 1-pentanol (3%).
The genome of H. marmoreus is 42.7 Mbp in length and annotated with 16,627 gene models. A putative gene (Hypma_04324) encoding the antifungal and antiproliferative hypsin protein was identified. Carbohydrate active enzyme analysis displayed the typical feature of white-rot fungi where auxiliary activity and carbohydrate-binding modules were enriched. The genome annotation revealed four terpene synthase genes responsible for terpenoid biosynthesis.
Evidence level: Preclinical (in vitro and animal); no human clinical trials identified in the reviewed literature.
The terpenoid compound hypsiziprenol A9 inhibits cell cycle progression in HepG2 cells, a human liver cancer cell line. This finding, from a 2004 study published in Cancer Letters (Chang et al.), represents in vitro evidence only.
White genius mushroom (WGM), the white strain of H. marmoreus, has been demonstrated to mediate potent antiproliferation effects against human Hep3B liver cancer cells. According to next-generation sequencing technology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways were markedly changed during treatment with WGM extracts in Hep3B cells. The study examined effects on the expression of mTOR and MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins, such as PI3K, Akt, mTOR, Ras, Raf, MEK, ERK, p38, and JNK in Hep3B cells.
According to KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, autophagy, mitophagy, and apoptosis pathways were markedly changed by WGM extracts in human Hep3B liver cancer cells.
β-(1-3)-D-glucan from H. marmoreus has shown anticancer activity, and β-(1-3)-D-glucan isolated from H. marmoreus showed very high antitumor activity in referenced preclinical work.
All anticancer evidence reviewed here is derived from cell culture and rodent experiments. No controlled human clinical trials evaluating H. marmoreus specifically for cancer outcomes were identified in the reviewed peer-reviewed literature.
Evidence level: In vitro, animal, and one small human pilot trial (mixed mushroom supplement).
Four proteoglycans were sequentially extracted from H. marmoreus, and their structures and immunomodulatory activities were investigated. The iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels of RAW 264.7 macrophages were upregulated by rFIP-hma, indicating activation of an immune response by regulating central cytokines.
Japanese people consume a variety of mushrooms, including H. marmoreus (Bunashimeji). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of Japanese participants was conducted for 4 weeks to evaluate the effects of mushrooms on the immune system, especially IgA content occurring via the gut microbiota and metabolome. The mushrooms used in this study contain β-(1-3)-glucan (from H. marmoreus), and SCFA levels may have increased through the metabolism of β-glucans by the gut microbiota. This study used a mixture of mushroom species, making it impossible to attribute effects specifically to H. marmoreus alone.
Evidence level: In vitro and animal only.
Extracts prepared from H. marmoreus fruiting bodies were evaluated for effects on inflammation-related mediators in RAW 264.7 cells; the extracts contained substantial amounts of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. With the extracts, the production of nitric oxide and the proinflammatory interleukin (IL)-6 could be effectively suppressed, whereas production of proinflammatory TNF-α and IL-1β could be relatively suppressed. Production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 could be increased. Overall, these mushrooms might be capable of amending inflammatory responses.
The polysaccharides extracted from the mycelia of H. marmoreus showed antioxidant and anti-pulmonary inflammation functions, whose mechanism of action might be attributed to the down-regulation of serum complement 3 (C3), glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
Evidence level: Animal only.
Researchers investigated the mechanisms for the antiallergic effects of H. marmoreus mushrooms on an oxazolone-induced type IV allergy in male ICR mice. Serum levels of IL-12 and gamma-IFN were significantly increased in allergic mice. The oral administration of an ethanol extract of H. marmoreus for 3 days at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight prevented the increase of serum IL-12 levels but not gamma-IFN levels. Lowering of serum levels of IL-2, spleen natural killer (NK) cell activity, and serum antioxidant activity in mice with allergic symptoms were also prevented by oral administration of the ethanol extract. Results suggested that one of the antiallergic mechanisms of H. marmoreus would be due to maintenance of antioxidant status and inhibition of cytokine fluctuations in allergic mice.
Evidence level: Animal only.
Researchers investigated anti-inflammatory activities of H. marmoreus extract on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like symptoms. Ethanol extract of H. marmoreus (HMEE) was administered in powder to BALB/c mice in which AD was induced by picryl-chloride (PCL). The dermatitis severity score and the thickness of the epidermis were significantly decreased following daily intake of HMEE powder (1 g/kg/day) for 5 weeks compared with a PCL-treated group. The mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IFN-γ was significantly attenuated in the dorsal skin of the HMEE-fed mouse group compared with the PCL-treated group. In concanavalin A-stimulated and LPS-stimulated mouse splenocytes and macrophages, levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ production were attenuated following addition of HMEE.
Evidence level: In vitro and animal only.
An ACE inhibitor was purified from water extracts of the brown-cultivar fruiting body of H. marmoreus; the purified ACE inhibitor with IC50 of 0.19 mg/mL was identified as a new oligopeptide with the sequence LSMGSASLSP (MW 567.3 Da). Water extracts containing this ACE inhibitor showed a clear antihypertensive action in a spontaneously hypertensive rat. Two hours after administration to rats of the water extract at a dosage of 800 mg/kg, blood pressure decreased to 154 mmHg; after 4 hours the average blood pressure increased to 166 mmHg. In the water extract from H. marmoreus, 66.7% of antihypertensive ACE inhibitory activity and 37.3% of antigout xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity were also reported.
Evidence level: Preliminary; primarily referenced from animal and dietary supplement studies with no identified randomized human trial specific to this species.
Mori et al. reported that a dietary supplement containing H. marmoreus powder lowered total serum cholesterol and had a strong antiatherosclerotic effect. H. marmoreus and related Pleurotus species have been described as helping to maintain the levels of low and total cholesterol, high-density homocysteine, and lipoproteins to prevent the development of arterial disease. These findings require evaluation in well-controlled human clinical trials before conclusions can be drawn.
Evidence level: In vitro and animal; robust across multiple studies.
It was found that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the renal tissue of mice were significantly increased, and the contents of lipid peroxidase (LPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly decreased after administration of polysaccharides from H. marmoreus, indicating significant antioxidant activities in vivo.
In vitro antioxidant testing showed that steam-explosion-pretreated H. marmoreus polysaccharide demonstrated better ability to scavenge DPPH radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide anion radicals than untreated polysaccharide.
Evidence level: In vitro simulated digestion, animal, and one human pilot trial (mixed mushroom supplement).
In a simulated digestion and fermentation model in vitro, no significant difference in molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and total or reducing sugar content of H. marmoreus polysaccharides (HMP) was found after simulated digestion, suggesting HMP was indigestible and could reach the colon. After colonic fermentation, HMP was degraded by gut microbiota, producing short-chain fatty acids, especially acetate and propionate, which in turn reduced the pH value. HMP regulated the gut microbiota; a decrease in the abundance of Fusobacterium and Desulfovibrio, as well as an increase in the abundance of Prevotella and Faecalibacterium in the HMP group were observed.
A 2026 study investigated the protective effects of H. marmoreus polysaccharides (HMP) against cisplatin-induced intestinal mucositis in mice. These findings are preclinical only and have not been validated in human trials.
Evidence level: Animal only.
The effects of H. marmoreus (HMM) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated alongside four other mushroom species. HMM treatment showed lower plasma glucose levels. ACE, Shannon, and Simpson microbiota diversity indexes were significantly affected by HMM treatment (p < .01).
Evidence level: Animal studies (mixed mushroom formula) only.
Studies have reported that a mixture of various mushrooms including Flammulina velutipes, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Lentinus edodes, Grifola frondosa, and Pleurotus eryngii suppressed visceral fat accumulation. As this evidence involves a multispecies combination, independent attribution to H. marmoreus is not possible from available data.
H. marmoreus is consumed in the following forms:
The following specific dosages appear in reviewed literature:
No standardized human oral dosage for H. marmoreus as a dietary supplement has been established in the reviewed clinical literature. The dosages cited above are all from animal studies and cannot be directly extrapolated to human use.
Overall, the use of H. marmoreus and related mushrooms seems to be safe, but with some side effects that are easily reversible after intake interruption. Human evaluation dose studies have been performed for mushrooms broadly, and all the mushrooms were found to be safe at a dose of 2000 mg/kg, but some with mild side effects. These assessments refer to the broader category of edible medicinal mushrooms and not necessarily to rigorous safety trials of H. marmoreus specifically.
A clinically documented safety concern has been reported in a peer-reviewed case report:
A novel finding of cross-allergy between Alternaria alternata (a common airborne mold) and Hypsizygus marmoreus has been reported. This is described as the first report of cross-reactivity between mushrooms and the major allergen component Alt a 1 of Alternaria alternata. Fungus-related foods, such as edible mushrooms, mycoprotein, and fermented foods by fungi, can often induce fungus food allergy syndrome (FFAS) by allergic cross-reactivity with airborne fungi. This case involved an individual with mold allergy who experienced anaphylaxis after consuming seafood mushrooms (H. marmoreus). Mushrooms tend to induce anaphylaxis in patients with mold allergy and warrant clinicians' attention.
The content of the active compounds differed depending on the H. marmoreus variety and the tested material. The nutrients and phytochemical content of different strains or different parts of fruiting bodies may differ. This variability has implications for the reproducibility of pharmacological effects and the consistency of commercial preparations.
Carbohydrate active enzyme analysis of H. marmoreus displays the typical feature of white-rot fungi where auxiliary activity and carbohydrate-binding modules were enriched. Commercial cultivation substrates may influence the chemical composition of fruiting bodies; preparations sourced from different cultivation systems may differ in their bioactive compound profiles.
The preponderance of scientific evidence for the bioactivities of H. marmoreus derives from in vitro cell culture studies and rodent models. As of the studies reviewed:
Health conditions that Hypsizygus marmoreus may help support.
Body systems that Hypsizygus marmoreus may help support.
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