Immunomodulatory Effects of Fruiting Body Extract and Solid-State-Cultivated Mycelia of Taiwanofungus camphoratus

Abstract

Taiwanofungus camphoratus is a rare and valuable medicinal mushroom indigenous to Taiwan. It has traditionally been used to promote good health. This study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory effects of "Leader Deluxe Taiwanofungus camphoratus capsule" (LDAC). LDAC is a healthy food product composed of fruiting body extract and solid-state-cultivated mycelia of T. camphoratus. Two complementary studies were performed. In the first, LDAC was orally administered to BABL/c female mice for 6 weeks as part of a non-specific immune study. In the second, mice were treated with LDAC for 8 weeks and immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) in a specific immune study. LDAC increased the growth of splenic immune cells and enhanced the activity of macrophages and natural killer cells. It increased the levels of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G, and OVA-IgG, and decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, serum IgE, and OVA-IgE. Thus, the findings of this study strongly supported the idea that LDAC possesses immunomodulatory activity.

Figures

Figure 1

Effect of Leader Deluxe Taiwanofungus…

Figure 1

Effect of Leader Deluxe Taiwanofungus camphoratus capsule (LDAC) on cytotoxic activity of nature…

Figure 1 Effect of Leader Deluxe Taiwanofungus camphoratus capsule (LDAC) on cytotoxic activity of nature killer cells (NK). The mice were administered with LDAC (172.2, 344.4, 861 mg/kg) and positive control (PC, 633.5 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. The cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells was measured by incubation of effector cells (NK cells) with target cells (YAC-1 cells) at the ratio (E/T ratio) 5:1, 10:2, and 25:1. The percentage of dead YAC-1 cells represented the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. All data are presented as mean ± SD. * p < 0.05 compared to vehicle control.

Figure 2

Effect of LDAC on phagocytic…

Figure 2

Effect of LDAC on phagocytic cell activity. The mice were administered with LDAC…

Figure 2 Effect of LDAC on phagocytic cell activity. The mice were administered with LDAC (172.2, 344.4, 861 mg/kg) and positive control (PC, 633.5 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. The peritoneal macrophages were isolated from mice and incubated with fluorescein-labeled E. coli at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 12.5–50. The ratio of phagocytosis was determined by flow cytometry. All data are presented as mean ± SD. * p < 0.05 compared to vehicle control.

Figure 3

Effect of LDAC on serum…

Figure 3

Effect of LDAC on serum ovalbumin (OVA)-IgG1, OVA-IgG2a, and OVA-IgE secretion. The OVA-immunized…

Figure 3 Effect of LDAC on serum ovalbumin (OVA)-IgG1, OVA-IgG2a, and OVA-IgE secretion. The OVA-immunized mice were administered with LDAC (172.2, 344.4, 861 mg/kg) and positive control (PC, 633.5 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. The serum OVA-IgG, OVA-IgG2a, and OVA-IgE were analyzed using ELISA assays. All data were presented as mean ± SD. * p < 0.05 compared to vehicle control. Normal group received only sterile water.