Abstract
• F1, F2 and F3 possessed immunoregulatory activity in immunosuppressed mice. • F1 enhanced cellular immunity, but F2 and F3 improved the adaptive and innate immunity. • Difference in MW of three fractions may account for the activity mechinism. Lentinula edodes (L. edodes) is a type of edible mushroom which is known to beneficially support the immune system. In this study, three polysaccharide fractions (F1, F2 and F3) were isolated from L. edodes water extracts. Their molecular weights distribution (F1 > F2 > F3) and their immunomodulatory properties were investigated. Thymus index, thickness of footpad, proliferation of splenocytes, immunoglobulin (Ig) content and cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells were measured to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of the polysaccharides. All three polysaccharide fractions protected host from immunosuppression. F1 had significant effects in enhancing cellular immunity only, while F2 and F3 improved cellular immunity, humoral immunity and innate immunity. The immunomodulatory effects became more significant in the order F1 < F2 < F3, inferring that molecular weight was an important factor for bioactivity of the L. edodes polysaccharide fractions. This potential of these mushrooms extracts qualifies them as candidates for immunomodulation in many types of diseases.
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