Biobran, Hemicellulose Complex with Arabinoxylane.
MGN-3 is a product made by combining rice bran with chemicals from the shiitake, kawaratake, and suehirotake mushrooms. It is used as a medicine.
MGN-3 is used for boosting the immune system to improve the body's defenses against disease; preventing and treating cancer; and treating AIDS and other immune disorders, hepatitis, diabetes, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking a court order to block the marketing of MGN-3 by Lane Labs. The complaint charges that MGN-3 is an unapproved drug product promoted as treatment for cancer and HIV infection.
How does work?
MGN-3 might work by improving the body's natural immune system.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- AIDS.
- Hepatitis.
- Diabetes.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Boosting immune function.
- Preventing and treating cancer.
- Other conditions.
QUESTION
See AnswerThere isn't enough reliable information to know whether MGN-3 is safe.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of MGN-3 during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.The appropriate dose of MGN-3 depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for MGN-3. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
FDA Talk Paper. FDA takes action against firm marketing unapproved drugs. 1999. Available at: www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS00988.html
Ghoneum M, Jewett A. Synergistic effect of modified arabinoxylane (MGN-3) and low dose of recombinant IL-2 on human NK cell activity and TNF-a production. American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Education Conference 1998.
Ghoneum M, Namatalia G, Kim C. Effect of MGN-3 on human natural killer cell activity and interferon-y synthesis in vitro. FASEB 1996;10:26-32.
Ghoneum M, Namatalla G. NK immunomodulatory function in 27 cancer patients by MGN-3, a modified arabinoxylane from rice bran. 87th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 1996.
Ghoneum M. Anti-HIV activity in vitro of MGN-3, an activated arabinoxylane from rice bran. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1998;243:25-9. View abstract.
Ghoneum M. Enhancement of human natural killer cell activity by modified arabinoxylane from rice bran (MGN-3). Int J Immunotherapy 1998;14:89-99.
Ghoneum M. Immunomodulatory and anti-cancer properties of MGN-3, a modified xylose from rice bran, in 5 patients with breast cancer [abstract]. American Association for Cancer Research Special Conference. November 5-8, 1995.