Effects of edible mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm., Pleurotus eryngil, Flammulina velutipes) extracts on immune cell activation in mice (830.17)

Abstract

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm.), king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngil), and winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) are typical edible mushrooms in many Asian countries. The splenocyte proliferations were measured at 48 hours after treatment of water extract those mushrooms in seven concentrations (0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 ug/ml). Also cytokine productions (TNF, IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5) in activated macrophage were measured. Splenocyte proliferation was enhanced when the 100, 250, 500, 1000 ug/ml oyster mushroom extracts were administered compared to control (0 ug/ml). Splenocyte proliferation were significantly higher in 50, 100, 250, 1000 ug/ml king oyster mushroom extract treated cells. Splenocyte proliferations of cells treated with winter mushroom extract were significantly increased in all groups except the group treated 5ug/ml extract. Th1 cytokine productions (TNF‐α and IFN‐γ) were increased by administration of mushroom extracts whereas levels of Th2 cytokines such as IL‐4 and IL‐5 did not change. These primary results suggest that oyster, king oyster, and winter mushrooms may be enhance the immune function in fairly high concentrations.