Gandoderma lucidum extract promotes immune responses in normal BALB/c mice In vivo.
Enhanced fruit and vegetable consumption is closely related to reduced cancer incidence as shown in epidemiological studies. Ganoderma lucidum, one of the most well-known traditional Chinese medicines, has been demonstrated to have pharmacological activities and antitumor effects, in Asian populations. However, the promotion of immune responses in normal BALB/c mice is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the immune responses of BALB/c mice after treatment with G. lucidum extract in vivo. The results demonstrated that G. lucidum extract was able to promote the proliferation of splenocytes under Concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Compared with the control group, phagocytosis of macrophage was significantly enhanced by intraperitoneal administration of G. lucidum extract at both 3 and 6 mg/kg. Compared with the control group, natural killer cell activity was significantly enhanced by intraperitoneal administration of G. lucidum extract (6 mg/kg). Results of cytometric bead array and flow cytometry indicated that the expressions of interleukin-6 and interferon-gamma also increased (p<0.001) by treatment with G. lucidum extract (3 and 6 mg/kg). In conclusion, the findings of this study implied that G. lucidum extract was able to effectively promote immune responses in BALB/c mice.
Graduate Institutes of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Yung-Hsien
YH
Chang
Jai-Sing
JS
Yang
Jiun-Long
JL
Yang
Chang-Lin
CL
Wu
Shu-Jen
SJ
Chang
Kung-Wen
KW
Lu
Chao-Lin
CL
Kuo
Te-Chun
TC
Hsia
Jing-Gung
JG
Chung
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D020940:Reishi / Q000737:chemistry*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D003208:Concanavalin A; D007371:Interferon-gamma