Pleuran (Oyster Mushroom Beta-Glucan)
Insoluble beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus
TL;DR
Pleuran is an insoluble beta-glucan from oyster mushrooms. Randomised trials, mostly from one research group, found fewer respiratory infections in children prone to them and in athletes. Evidence for allergies, asthma and other uses is early.
Ideal For
- Children with frequent respiratory infections, after a medical check
- Endurance athletes in heavy training
Avoid If
- You have a mushroom allergy
- You take immunosuppressive medicines, unless your specialist agrees
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, as safety has not been studied
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pleuran?
Is Imunoglukan P4H the same as pleuran?
Does pleuran prevent colds and respiratory infections?
How much pleuran do the studies use?
Does pleuran help allergies?
Is pleuran safe for children?
Overview
Pleuran is a beta-glucan, a chain of glucose molecules, extracted from the cell walls of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Unlike the soluble oat and barley beta-glucans used to lower cholesterol, it is insoluble and has the 1,3/1,6-branched structure that immune cells recognise as microbial material. Structure seems to matter: across studies in endurance athletes, pleuran reduced upper respiratory symptoms while soluble oat beta-glucan did not.
Most of the human research comes from one research group and tests branded products: a syrup combining pleuran with vitamin C (Imunoglukan P4H) and, in later trials, capsules and a chewable tablet with vitamin D and zinc. In children with recurrent respiratory infections, adding pleuran to vitamin C raised the share who stayed infection-free during treatment from 21% to 36%, and the chewable form cut infections by about 15% over a winter. Smaller studies in athletes and in adults with COPD or cold sores point the same way, but a small trial in children with acute gastroenteritis found no benefit.
Pleuran has been well tolerated in trials in children and adults, and a systematic review of fungal beta-glucans found no adverse events caused by them. The open questions are independent replication, the right dose for adults, and whether the benefits extend to allergies and asthma, where the evidence so far rests on laboratory markers and subgroup results.
How It Works
- Pleuran's branched glucose chains resemble fungal cell walls, and researchers describe it as acting through receptors innate immune cells use to recognise microbes.
- It is thought to work mainly through immune tissue in the gut rather than after absorption.
- In elite athletes taking 100 mg a day, natural killer cell activity did not show the 28% post-exercise drop seen on placebo.
- Over three months in athletes it increased circulating natural killer cells and kept phagocytosis steady while it fell on placebo.
- In children with recurrent infections it modulated humoral and cellular immune markers and lowered blood eosinophils.
Quick Facts
- Insoluble beta-glucan from oyster mushrooms
- Key trials compared pleuran plus vitamin C with vitamin C
- Children's trial dose: 10 mg per 5 kg daily
- Adult studies used 100 mg a day
- No benefit in acute childhood gastroenteritis
Supporting Research13 studies
Immunomodulatory effect of pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections
Jesenak M, Majtan J, Rennerova Z +3 more
36% of the children did not suffer from any respiratory infections
Novel Chewable Pleuran-Based Supplement Decreases Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Jesenak M, Prokopova E, Bozensky J +4 more
significantly reduced respiratory tract infections in children with RRTIs
Beneficial effects of pleuran on asthma control and respiratory tract-infection frequency in children with perennial asthma
Jesenak M, Hrubisko M, Chudek J +4 more
positive effects of this treatment on asthma control and RTI incidence
Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) supplementation, cellular immune response and respiratory tract infections in athletes
Bergendiova K, Tibenska E, Majtan J
pleuran significantly reduced the incidence of URTI symptoms
The anti-infective effect of β-glucans in children
Wzorek-Łyczko K, Woźniak W, Piwowarczyk A +1 more
Ten out of twelve trials demonstrated the effectiveness of β-glucans
Anti-allergic effect of Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections
Jesenak M, Hrubisko M, Majtan J +2 more
Pleuran showed a potential anti-allergic effect
Efficacy of Pleuran (β-Glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) in the Management of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection
Urbancikova I, Hudackova D, Majtan J +3 more
significantly shorter duration of herpes simplex symptoms
Effect of Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) supplementation on cellular immune response after intensive exercise in elite athletes
Bobovčák M, Kuniaková R, Gabriž J +1 more
no significant reduction in NKCA was found in the β-glucan group
Effects of fungal beta-glucans on health - a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Vlassopoulou M, Yannakoulia M, Pletsa V +2 more
reduces the incidence and symptoms of cold, flu and other respiratory infections
Effects of Pleuran (Β-Glucan from Pleurotus Ostreatus) Supplementation on Incidence and Duration of COPD Exacerbations
Minov J, Bislimovska-Karadzhinska J, Petrova T +3 more
pleuran might impact the incidence and duration of bacterial exacerbations
Effect of a Pleuran-Based Supplement on Salivary IgA Secretion in Children With Recurrent Respiratory Infections
Kunc P, Fabry J, Matiscakova M +4 more
statistically significant increase in salivary sIgA concentrations
A randomised trial of pleuran in paediatric acute gastroenteritis
Wzorek-Łyczko K, Piwowarczyk A, Woźniak W +2 more
Pleuran was ineffective in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children
Immunomodulation with β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus in patients with endocrine-dependent breast cancer
Spacek J, Vocka M, Zavadova E +2 more
significant increase in the absolute number of CD3+, CD19+, CD4+ and CD8+
Safety Information
Potential Side Effects
Well tolerated in trials in children and adults. The largest children's trial reported only mild adverse events, and a systematic review of fungal beta-glucans found no adverse events caused by them.
Contraindications
Mushroom allergy. People on immunosuppressive treatment, for example after an organ transplant, should talk to their specialist first: pleuran is intended to stimulate immune responses and we found no interaction studies.
Drug Interactions
- Immunosuppressants (after a transplant or for autoimmune disease): theoretical opposing effect; use only with your specialist's agreement
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy: Not enough evidence to judge
Breastfeeding: Not enough evidence to judge
Dosage Guidelines
Dosage Used in Studies
100-100 mg
Best Time to Take
Once daily; trials ran for 2 to 6 months, usually through the respiratory-infection season.
Best Form
Pleuran combined with vitamin C, the form used in most trials
Bioavailability
Insoluble polysaccharide; researchers describe it as acting mainly on the gut's immune tissue.
Dosing by Goal
| Goal | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Children with recurrent respiratory infections | 10 mg pleuran per 5 kg body weight daily | The dose used in five pleuran trials in children; trials ran through the winter for about 3 to 6 months. |
| Children 7-17 with partly controlled asthma | 2 capsules of pleuran with vitamin C daily | Taken for 24 weeks alongside usual asthma treatment; the capsule strength is not given in the trial summary. |
| Adults and athletes | 100 mg pleuran daily | Used for 2 months in elite athletes and, with vitamin C and zinc, for 3 months in adults with COPD. |
Forms Compared
Pleuran with vitamin C (syrup or capsules)
Best for Children with recurrent respiratory infections
The combination used in most trials, including the 175-child recurrent-infection trial and the asthma trial; the comparison groups took vitamin C alone.
Chewable pleuran with vitamin D and zinc
Best for Children over 6 through the infection season
Tested for 3 winter months in children with recurrent infections; the comparison group took vitamin D and zinc alone.
Pleuran capsules (adults)
Best for Athletes in heavy training
Adult studies used 100 mg a day, alone in athletes or with vitamin C and zinc in COPD.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.
Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.