title: Immunomodulatory and antioxidative activity of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides in mice.
abstract: To evaluate the immune activation and reactive oxygen species scavenging activity of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides (CMP) in vivo, 24 male and 24 female Kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups. The mice in the four experimental groups were administered 0 (normal control), 50, 100, or 200mg/kg/d body weight CMP via gavage. After 30 days, the viscera index, leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, immunoglobulin (IgG) levels, and biochemical parameters were measured. The effect of CMP on the expression of tumor necrosis (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-1β in the spleens of experimental mice was investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the administration of CMP improved the immune function in mice, significantly increased the spleen and thymus indices, the spleen lymphocyte activity, the total quantity of white blood cells, and IgG function in mice serum. CMP exhibited significant antioxidative activity in mice, and decreased malondialdehyde levels in vivo. CMP upregulated the expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β mRNA in high-dose groups compared to that observed for the control mice. We can thus conclude that CMP effectively improved the immune function through protection against oxidative stress. CMP thus shows potential for development as drugs and health supplements.
authors: College of Food Science and Engineering, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors: Jing-yu
authors: JY
authors: Liu
authors: College of Food Science and Engineering, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi 030801, PR China. Electronic address: ndfcp@163.com.
authors: Cui-ping
authors: CP
authors: Feng
authors: College of Food Science and Engineering, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors: Xing
authors: X
authors: Li
authors: College of Food Science and Engineering, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors: Ming-chang
authors: MC
authors: Chang
authors: College of Food Science and Engineering, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors: Jun-long
authors: JL
authors: Meng
authors: College of Food Science and Engineering, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi 030801, PR China.
authors: Li-jing
authors: LJ
authors: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000737:chemistry*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D062610:Fungal Polysaccharides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D062610:Fungal Polysaccharides; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide; Cytokines; Immune activation