– Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Activities of the Aqueous Extract and the Beta–D-Glucan-Rich Polysaccharide Fraction of Pleurotustuberregium(Pleurotaceae) –
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ABSTRACT
Mushroom cuisines are global delicacies and have been used for decades, not only as food, but mostly for the health benefits which are claimed or scientifically proven.
The present study explored the immunomodulatoryactivites of the hot aqueous extract of a local oyster mushroom, Pleurotustuberregium (Fr.) Singer (Pleurotaceae) (PT) and its β–D-Glucan-Rich Polysaccharide fraction (BGP).
The effects of the aqueous extract (PT) and the β–D-Glucan-Rich Polysaccharide fraction (BGP) were tested on some specific and non-specific immune responses in immune- competent mice and in culture of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
The effect of the PT and BGP on specific cell mediated immune response was investigated by the delayed type hypersensitivity response (DTHR) while the effect of the extract on specific humoral immune responses of treated mice was determined by prime-boost immunization protocol using ovalbumin as antigen and followed by the determination of antibody titers in the sera using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Their effect on non–specific immune responses was determined by the colloidal carbon-clearance assay in mice. The effect of BGP on functional maturation and activation of the monocytic cells was also determined by measuring the level of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and inducible oxygen (iNO) expressed into culture supernatant using cytokine capture ELISA and Griess reagent respectively.
INTRODUCTION
The immune system is a network of cells,tissues and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by “foreign invaders”. The human body provides an ideal environment for many microbes. The immune system consists of two categories of defense mechanisms- the innate (non- specific) and the adaptive (specific) systems (Janeway et al., 2005). Scientists continue to study how the body launches attacks that destroy invading microbes.
The emergence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the concern about bioterrorism have also increased the emphasis on the role of the immune system in defending individuals against infections.
The two mechanisms of the immune system can be modified by substances to either enhance or suppress their ability to resist invasion by pathogens (William, 2001).
There are however, limited strategies available to efficiently modulate the immune response.
Nutritional interventions that involve optimizing the intake of essential nutrients and utilizing promising functional foods have become an increasingly favoured approach to the modulation of immune cell function. Mushrooms have long been suggested to possess immunomodulatory properties.
More recent studies, however, report that oral supplementation with a variety of different mushroom species are effective in modulating certain immune functions.
It has also been observed that immunomodulatory substances of natural origin could play a significant role in human disease prevention and treatment (Dixon, 2001)
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