title: Immunomodulatory functions of extracts from the Chinese medicinal fungus Cordyceps cicadae.
abstract: The effects of Cordyceps cicadae extracted fractions on human mononuclear cells (HMNC) proliferation were determined by tritiated thymidine uptake. The results indicated that aqueous methanol (50%) extracts of C. cicadae ascocarps portion (CC-1-2) enhanced HMNC proliferation activated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) with an EC(50) of 13.8+/-4.6 micro g/ml. By contrast, the methanol (100%) extracts of C. cicadae insect-body portion (CC-2-1) suppressed HMNC proliferation stimulated by PHA with an IC(50) of 32.5+/-5.2 micro g/ml. Cell viability test indicated that inhibitory effects of CC-2-1 on HMNC proliferation were not through direct cytotoxicity. The action mechanisms of CC-1-2 and CC-2-1 may involve the regulation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in HMNC. Since CC-2-1 suppressed IL-2 and IFN-gamma production in HMNC induced with PHA. The CC-1-2 enhanced IL-2 and IFN-gamma production of HMNC stimulated with PHA in a concentration dependent manner. Therefore, the results demonstrated that C. cicadae contained growth modulators for HMNC.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, Fu-Jen University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Shu-Cheng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Cheng-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Lie-Chwen
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Wei-Jern
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Yuh-Chi
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D002460:Cell Line / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D032661:Cordyceps; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007371:Interferon-gamma