The Agaricus bisporus mushroom (white button mushrooms) contain large amounts vitamins and minerals as well as medicinal value. Chen et al. looked at the ability of chemicals derived from button mushrooms to inhibit aromatase (an enzyme that promotes estrogen). Fatty acids contained within the mushroom inhibited aromatase activity in cancer cells isolated from hamster ovaries. Conjugated linoleic acid was the most potent inhibitor evaluated. Cancerous mice given this substance had fewer tumors in tests with live animals. This study showed that the extract decreased proliferation of cancer cells and tumor growth without affecting cell death or apoptosis. (16)
