Glucans are part of a group of biologically active natural molecules and are steadily gaining strong attention not only as an important food supplement, but also as an immunostimulant and potential drug. This paper represents an up-to-date review of glucans (β-1,3-glucans) and their role in various immune reactions and the treatment of cancer. With more than 80 clinical trials evaluating their biological effects, the question is not if glucans will move from food supplement to widely accepted drug, but how soon.
This review critically examined the evidence for β-glucan as both a dietary supplement and a potential therapeutic drug, assessing the clinical evidence required for regulatory approval as a medicine.
β-glucans occupy a dual role: as dietary supplements they have substantial evidence for immune support, while pharmaceutical-grade applications require more rigorous clinical validation. The review identified gaps in clinical data for specific indications while acknowledging robust mechanistic evidence. It highlighted structure-activity relationships and called for standardized preparations to enable meaningful clinical trial comparison.
This perspective on the supplement-to-drug pathway is directly relevant to Aureobasidium pullulans β-glucan positioning. Current evidence strongly supports AP-glucan as a safe, effective immune supplement, with future clinical trials potentially establishing pharmaceutical indications.
AI-generated summary for accessibility. Always refer to the original paper.
Vetvicka, Vaclav; Vannucci, Luca; Sima, Petr; Richter, Josef. Beta Glucan: Supplement or Drug? From Laboratory to Clinical Trials. Molecules. 2019. DOI: 10.3390/molecules24071251.
For scientific reference only. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional. See our Medical Disclaimer.