Abstract
Mushrooms have been used for various health conditions for many years by traditional medicines practiced in different regions of the world although the exact effects of mushroom extracts on the immune system are not fully understood. AHCC® is a standardized extract of cultured shiitake or Lentinula edodes mycelia (ECLM) which contains a mixture of nutrients including oligosaccharides, amino acids, and minerals obtained through liquid culture. AHCC® is reported to modulate the numbers and functions of immune cells including natural killer (NK) and T cells which play important roles in host defense, suggesting the possible implication of its supplementation in defending the host against infections and malignancies via modulating the immune system. Here, we review in vivo and in vitro effects of AHCC® on NK and T cells of humans and animals in health and disease, providing a platform for the better understanding of immune-mediated mechanisms and clinical implications of AHCC®.
Highlights
Mushrooms have been considered to have possible beneficial effects in health and disease for many years by traditional medicines practiced in different regions of the world [1]
Studies reported the activation of natural killer (NK) and T cells by alpha- (α-) glucans extracted from edible mushrooms like Tricholoma matsutake and maitake (Grifola frondosa)
AHCC® is a standardized extract of cultured shiitake or Lentinula edodes mycelia (AHCC®) which contains a mixture of nutrients including oligosaccharides, amino acids, and minerals obtained through the liquid culture process of shiitake mycelia [6, 7]
Summary
Mushrooms have been considered to have possible beneficial effects in health and disease for many years by traditional medicines practiced in different regions of the world [1]. The mice that received AHCC® had increased NK cell percentages and activity as measured against YAC-1 target cells, along with decreased viral titers in the lungs [24] The former finding could be a potential mechanism responsible for the beneficial effect of AHCC® in this mouse model in that NK cells were suggested to have a role in controlling influenza viral infection by secreting cytokines and expressing cytotoxic molecules [30]. The possible effects of AHCC® on T cell immunity may have biological significance in developing immune responses to antigens This is evidenced by a study reporting increased NKT cells and CD8+ T cells along with increased protective antibody titers to influenza B in healthy people who received influenza vaccine and AHCC® supplementation (3 g/day × 3 weeks) [25]. AHCC® could directly suppress cytokine production from activated T cells while the function of T cells may be promoted by innate immune cells in the presence of AHCC®
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