title: In vitro augmentation of natural killer activity and interferon-gamma production in murine spleen cells with Agaricus blazei fruiting body fractions.
abstract: Aqueous extracts of the Agaricus blazei fruiting body prepared at different temperatures were fractionated by ethanol precipitation with various ethanol concentrations. The original aqueous extracts of A. blazei failed to stimulate natural killer (NK) cell activity in murine spleen cells in vitro, but the strongest effect was observed in a 30% ethanol-soluble-50% ethanol-insoluble fraction prepared from the extract at 40 degrees C (fraction A-50). Fraction A-50 also showed the strongest augmenting effect on interferon (IFN)-gamma production. This augmentation of NK activity and IFN-gamma production by fraction A-50 was completely abrogated by a heat treatment.
authors.affiliation: Bizen Chemical Co., Ltd., Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: Itaru
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000364:Agaricus / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D007371:Interferon-gamma