Maitake beta-glucan MD-fraction enhances bone marrow colony formation and reduces doxorubicin toxicity in vitro

Narrative Review: Bioactive Potential of Various Mushrooms as the Treasure of Versatile Therapeutic Natural Product

Mushrooms have remained an eternal part of traditional cuisines due to their beneficial health potential and have long been recognized as a folk medicine for their broad spectrum of nutraceuticals, as well as therapeutic and prophylactic uses. Nowadays, they have been extensively investigated to explain the chemical nature and mechanisms of action of their biomedicine and nutraceuticals capacity. Mushrooms belong to the astounding dominion of Fungi and are known as a macrofungus. Significant health benefits of mushrooms, including antiviral, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antifungal, wound healing, anticancer, immunomodulating, antioxidant, radical scavenging, detoxification, hepatoprotective cardiovascular, anti-hypercholesterolemia, and anti-diabetic effects, etc., have been reported around the globe and have attracted significant interests of its further exploration in commercial sectors. They can function as functional foods, help in the treatment and therapeutic interventions of sub-optimal health states, and prevent some consequences of life-threatening diseases. Mushrooms mainly contained low and high molecular weight polysaccharides, fatty acids, lectins, and glucans responsible for their therapeutic action. Due to the large varieties of mushrooms present, it becomes challenging to identify chemical components present in them and their beneficial action. This article highlights such therapeutic activities with their active ingredients for mushrooms.

Mushroom-Derived Bioactive Molecules as Immunotherapeutic Agents: A Review

Mushrooms with enhanced medicinal properties focus on finding such compounds that could modulate the human body's immune systems. Mushrooms have antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antitumor, and immunomodulatory properties due to the presence of various bioactive components. β-glucans are the major constituent of the mushroom cell wall and play a significant role in their biological activity. This review described the techniques used in the extraction of the active ingredients from the mushroom. We highlighted the structure of the bioactive polysaccharides present in the mushrooms. Therapeutic applications of different mushrooms were also described. It is interesting to note that mushrooms have the potential sources of many bioactive products that can regulate immunity. Thus, the development of functional medicinal food based on the mushroom is vital for human welfare.

Differential Immune Activating, Anti-Inflammatory, and Regenerative Properties of the Aqueous, Ethanol, and Solid Fractions of a Medicinal Mushroom Blend

Purpose

To compare three fractions of a medicinal mushroom blend (MMB), MyCommunity, on immune-activation, inflammation-regulation, and induction of biomarkers involved in regenerative functions.

Methods

A seventeen-species MMB was sequentially extracted: first, saline solution at ambient temperature, followed by re-extraction of the solids in ethanol, and finally resuspension of the homogenized ethanol-insoluble solids in cell-culture media. Fractions were tested on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from three healthy donors. Immunostaining, flow-cytometry, and Luminex protein-arrays measured immune-cell activation and cytokine response. Dose-responses for induction of the CD69 early activation marker and individual cytokine and growth-factor responses for each donor were evaluated. The CD69 and the combined cytokine and growth-factor results were subjected to Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) and multivariate ordination to aid interpretation of the aggregate immune response and pairwise permutational MANOVA on a distance-matrix to evaluate statistical differences between treatments on pooled data from all donors.

Results

Differential effects were induced by water-soluble, ethanol-soluble, and insoluble immunomodulatory compounds of the MMB. The aqueous and ethanol fractions upregulated expression of CD69 on all tested cell types. Monocyte-activation was correlated with the ethanol fraction, while NKT and non-NK non-T cell-activation was more closely correlated with the aqueous fraction. The solid fraction was the most potent inducer of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, as well as the anti-viral cytokines interferon-γ, MCP-1 (CCL-2), MIP-1α (CCL-3), and MIP-1β (CCL-4), and induced G-CSF and b-FGF—growth-factors involved in regenerative functions—and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ra.

Conclusion

The aqueous, ethanol, and insoluble compounds within MMB induced differential immune-activating, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative effects. This in vitro data suggests that, upon consumption, MMB may induce a concerted series of immunomodulatory events based on the differential solubility and bioavailability of the active constituents. These differential responses support both immune-activation and resolution of the host defense-induced inflammatory reactions, thus assisting a post-response return to homeostasis.

Sterically Stabilised Polymeric Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Improve Doxorubicin Efficiency: Tailored Cancer Therapy

The fruition, commercialisation and clinical application combining nano-engineering, nanomedicine and material science for utilisation in drug delivery is becoming a reality. The successful integration of nanomaterial in nanotherapeutics requires their critical development to ensure physiological and biological compatibility. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are attractive nanocarriers due to their biodegradable, biocompatible, and relative malleable porous frameworks that can be functionalized for enhanced targeting and delivery in a variety of disease models. The optimal formulation of an MSN with polyethylene glycol (2% and 5%) and chitosan was undertaken, to produce sterically stabilized, hydrophilic MSNs, capable of efficient loading and delivery of the hydrophobic anti-neoplastic drug, doxorubicin (DOX). The pH-sensitive release kinetics of DOX, together with the anticancer, apoptosis and cell-cycle activities of DOX-loaded MSNs in selected cancer cell lines were evaluated. MSNs of 36-60 nm in size, with a pore diameter of 9.8 nm, and a cumulative surface area of 710.36 m²/g were produced. The 2% pegylated MSN formulation (PCMSN) had the highest DOX loading capacity (0.98 mgdox/mgmsn), and a sustained release profile over 72 h. Pegylated-drug nanoconjugates were effective at a concentration range between 20-50 μg/mL, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, and affirming their potential as effective drug delivery vehicles.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy promotes the improvement and recovery of renal function in a preclinical model

Acute renal failure (ARF) is an extremely important public health issue in need of novel therapies. The present study aimed to evaluate the capacity of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy to promote the improvement and recovery of renal function in a preclinical model. Wistar rats were used as the experimental model, and our results show that cisplatin (5mg/kg) can efficiently induce ARF, as measured by changes in biochemical (urea and creatinine) and histological parameters. MSC therapy performed 24h after the administration of chemotherapy resulted in normalized plasma urea and creatinine levels 30 and 45d after the onset of kidney disease. Furthermore, MSC therapy significantly reduced histological changes (intratubular cast formation in protein overload nephropathy and tubular hydropic degeneration) in this ARF model. Thus, considering that current therapies for ARF are merely palliative and that MSC therapy can promote the improvement and recovery of renal function in this model system, we suggest that innovative/alternative therapies involving MSCs should be considered for clinical studies in humans to treat ARF.

Maitake mushroom extract in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): a phase II study

Background

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis with dysplastic bone marrow leading to peripheral cytopenia, risk of infection, and progression to acute myelogenous leukemia. Maitake mushroom beta-glucan, a dietary supplement, stimulates hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor production, and recovery of peripheral blood leukocytes after bone marrow injury. This phase II trial examined the effects of Maitake on innate immune function in MDS.

Methods

Myelodysplastic syndromes patients with International Prognostic Scoring System Low- and Intermediate-1-risk disease received oral Maitake extract at 3 mg/kg twice daily for 12 weeks. Primary endpoints included neutrophil count and function tested as endogenous or stimulated neutrophil production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by flow cytometry compared with age-matched healthy controls (HC). ROS activators were Escherichiacoli, phorbol ester, and the bacterial peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). Complete blood counts, chemistry panels, iron studies, and monocyte function were evaluated.

Results

Of 21 patients enrolled, 18 completed the study and were evaluable. Maitake increased endogenous (basal) neutrophil (p = 0.005) and monocyte function (p = 0.021). Pre-treatment monocyte response to E. coli was reduced in MDS patients compared with HC (p = 0.002) and increased (p = 0.0004) after treatment. fMLP-stimulated ROS production response also increased (p = 0.03). Asymptomatic eosinophilia occurred in 4 patients (p = 0.014). Other changes in albumin, hemoglobin, and total protein were not clinically relevant.

Conclusions

Maitake was well tolerated. Enhanced in vitro neutrophil and monocyte function following treatment demonstrate that Maitake has beneficial immunomodulatory potential in MDS. Further study is warranted.

Effects of glucan on bone marrow

Bone marrow damage represents a significant problem in cancer treatment. Therefore, it is clear that the pharmacologic protection against bone marrow damage is of considerable interest, since the development of novel and effective medical approaches to combat radiation or cytotoxic damage are of major importance not only to the medical field but also to several industries and the military. This review represents a summary of our knowledge of the effects of various glucans on bone marrow protection.

Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts

BACKGROUND

The role of glucan in stimulation of immune reactions has been studied for several decades. In this report, we focused on the effects of orally administered glucan Maitake and Shiitake on immune reactions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured phagocytosis, NK cell activity, and secretion of IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) after 14 days of oral application of tested glucans. For comparison, active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) was used in all reactions.

RESULTS

We found significant stimulation of defense reaction. In all cases, the most active was the Maitake-Shiitake combination, with Maitake alone being the second strongest, followed by Shiitake on its own and AHCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term oral application of natural immunomodulating glucans from Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms strongly stimulated both the cellular and humoral branch of immune reactions. These activities were significantly higher than those of AHCC.

Effect of active hexose-correlated compound in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

Anthracyclines and taxanes are often used as first-line chemotherapy treatments in patients with breast cancer. There are, however, significant toxicity and side effects associated with these therapies. Previous studies have demonstrated that active hexose-correlated compound (AHCC) reduces such side effects. The present study explored the beneficial effects of AHCC on adverse events in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

SUBJECTS

Forty-one women who were treated with anthracyclines and taxanes at Nagumo Clinic in Tokyo from October 2004 to March 2011 were selected for this study.

OUTCOME MEASURES

We compared the occurrence of adverse events in patients who received AHCC with those who did not receive AHCC. Using Fisher's exact tests, we also compared the worst-grade adverse events in each treatment cycle. Generalized estimating equations were employed to compare longitudinal changes, and the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, in the two groups was analyzed using Student's t-test.

RESULTS

We found that, compared to the control group, the AHCC group had significantly fewer neutrophil-related events (odds ratio, 0.30; p=0.016), significantly lower use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and a higher (although not significant) rate of adverse events associated with γ-glutamyl transpeptidase.

CONCLUSIONS

AHCC has the potential to reduce the severity of neutropenia induced by breast cancer chemotherapy and the use of G-CSF during chemotherapy.

In vivo evaluation of the antimutagenic and antigenotoxic effects of β-glucan extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in acute treatment with multiple doses

Ample evidence suggests that cancer is triggered by mutagenic damage and diets or supplements capable of reducing such incidences can be related to the prevention of neoplasy development or to an improvement in life quality of patients who undergo chemotherapy. This research aimed to evaluate the antimutagenic and antigenotoxic activity of β-glucan. We set up 8 experimental groups: control (Group 1), cyclophosphamide (Group 2), Groups 3–5 to assess the effect of β-glucan administration, and Groups 6–8 to evaluate the association between cyclophosphamide and β-glucan. The intraperitonial concentrations of β-glucan used were 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg. Micronucleus and comet assays showed that within the first week of treatment β-glucan presented a damage reduction rate between 100–62.04% and 94.34–59.52% for mutagenic and genotoxic damages, respectively. This activity decreased as the treatment was extended. During the sixth week of treatment antimutagenicity rates were reduced to 59.51–39.83% and antigenotoxicity was not effective. This leads to the conclusion that the efficacy of β-glucan in preventing DNA damage is limited when treatment is extended, and that its use as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant need to be better clarified.

Effects of β-glucan polysaccharide revealed by the dominant lethal assay and micronucleus assays, and reproductive performance of male mice exposed to cyclophosphamide

β-glucan is a well-known polysaccharide for its chemopreventive effect. This study aimed to evaluate the chemopreventive ability of β-glucan in somatic and germ cells through the dominant lethal and micronucleus assays, and its influence on the reproductive performance of male mice exposed to cyclophosphamide. The results indicate that β-glucan is capable of preventing changes in DNA in both germ cells and somatic ones. Changes in germ cells were evaluated by the dominant lethal assay and showed damage reduction percentages of 46.46% and 43.79% for the doses of 100 and 150 mg/kg. For the somatic changes, evaluated by micronucleus assay in peripheral blood cells in the first week of treatment, damage reduction percentages from 80.63–116.32% were found. In the fifth and sixth weeks, the percentage ranged from 10.20–52.54% and −0.95–62.35%, respectively. Besides the chemopreventive efficiency it appears that the β-glucan, when combined with cyclophosphamide, is able to improve the reproductive performance of males verified by the significant reduction in rates of post-implantation losses and reabsorption in the mating of nulliparous females with males treated with cyclophosphamide.

Anticlastogenic effect of β-glucan, extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on cultured cells exposed to ultraviolet radiation

β-glucan is an important polysaccharide due to its medicinal properties of stimulating the immune system and preventing chronic diseases such as cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine the anticlastogenic effect of β-glucan in cells exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UV). Chromosome aberration assay was performed in drug-metabolizing cells (HTC) and non drug-metabolizing cells (CHO-K1 and repair-deficient CHO-xrs5), using different treatment protocols. Continuous treatment (UV + β-glucan) was not effective in reducing the DNA damage only in CHO-xrs5 cells. However, the pre-treatment protocol (β-glucan before UV exposition) was effective in reducing DNA damage only in CHO-K1 cells. In post-treatment (β-glucan after UV exposition) did not show significative anticlastogenic effects, although there was a tendency toward prevention. The data suggest that β-glucan has more than one action mechanism, being capable of exerting desmutagenic as well as bio-antimutagenic action. The findings also suggest that the presence of the xenobiotic metabolizing system can reduce the chemopreventive capacity of β-glucan. Therefore, these results indicate that β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be used in the prevention and/or reduction of DNA damage.

Hematopoietic and myeloprotective activities of an acidic Angelica sinensis polysaccharide on human CD34+ stem cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Angelica sinensis (AS) is a Chinese herbal medicine traditionally used in prescriptions for replenishing blood and treating abnormal menstruation and other women's diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to separate and identify the major hematopoietic fraction from Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASPS), and to investigate the myeloprotective activity of the major bioactive fraction of ASPS as a possible supporting agent for cancer treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ASPS was fractionated with DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column to obtain four fractions (F1, F2, F3 and F4). Each fraction was cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) to collect conditioned medium (CM). The hematopoietic ability of various MNC-CM was then evaluated by the colony-forming assay on CD34(+) cells collected by the MACS method from human umbilical cord blood (UCB). In myeloprotective experiment, Adriblastina was used to act as the myelosuppressive agent. The monosaccharide composition of ASPS was analyzed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography-pulse amperometric detector.

RESULTS

The F2 fraction, which was found to have the highest hematopoietic activity, stimulated the human peripheral blood MNCs to secret GM-CSF and IL-3. F2 could also protect the hematopoietic function of CD34(+) cells from Adriblastina. F2 occupies 19% of ASPS and contains 0.53% protein. The monosaccharide composition of F2 was arabinose (51.82%), fructose (1.65%), galactose (29.96%), glucose (4.78%) and galacturonic acid (14.80%), with molecular weight 2.5-295 kDa.

CONCLUSIONS

The bioactive fraction identified and fractionated from ASPS may be used as a health-promoting agent for anemia patients and cancer patients under chemoradiation treatment.

Modulation of animal and human hematopoiesis by β-glucans: a review

β-Glucans are cell wall constituents of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and plants. They are not expressed in mammalian cells, but they are recognized by mammalian cells as pathogen-associated molecular patterns by pattern recognition receptors and thus act as biological response modifiers. This review summarizes data on the hematopoiesis-stimulating effects of β-glucans, as well as on their ability to enhance bone marrow recovery after an injury. β-Glucans have been shown to support murine hematopoiesis suppressed by ionizing radiation or cytotoxic anti-cancer therapy. They also enhance stem cell homing and engraftment. Basically, two forms of β-glucan preparations have been investigated, namely particulate and soluble ones. β-Glucans are generally well tolerated, the particulate forms showing a higher incidence of undesirable side effects. Taken together, the hematopoiesis-stimulating properties of β-glucans predetermine these biological response modifiers to ever increasing use in human medicinal practice.

Role of nutrients in the development of neonatal immune response

Nutrients exert unique regulatory effects in the perinatal period that mold the developing immune system. The interactions of micronutrients and microbial and environmental antigens condition the post-birth maturation of the immune system, influencing reactions to allergens, fostering tolerance towards the emerging gastrointestinal flora and ingested antigens, and defining patterns of host defense against potential pathogens. The shared molecular structures that are present on microbes or certain plants, but not expressed by human cells, are recognized by neonatal innate immune receptors. Exposure to these activators in the environment through dietary intake in early life can modify the immune response to allergens and prime the adaptive immune response towards pathogens that express the corresponding molecular structures.

Maitake beta-glucan promotes recovery of leukocytes and myeloid cell function in peripheral blood from paclitaxel hematotoxicity

Bone marrow myelotoxicity is a major limitation of chemotherapy. While granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment is effective, alternative approaches to support hematopoietic recovery are sought. We previously found that a beta-glucan extract from maitake mushroom Grifola frondosa (MBG) enhanced colony forming unit-granulocyte monocyte (CFU-GM) activity of mouse bone marrow and human hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC), stimulated G-CSF production and spared HPC from doxorubicin toxicity in vitro. This investigation assessed the effects of MBG on leukocyte recovery and granulocyte/monocyte function in vivo after dose intensive paclitaxel (Ptx) in a normal mouse. After a cumulative dose of Ptx (90-120 mg/kg) given to B6D2F1mice, daily oral MBG (4 or 6 mg/kg), intravenous G-CSF (80 microg/kg) or Ptx alone were compared for effects on the dynamics of leukocyte recovery in blood, CFU-GM activity in bone marrow and spleen, and granulocyte/monocyte production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Leukocyte counts declined less in Ptx + MBG mice compared to Ptx-alone (p = 0.024) or Ptx + G-CSF treatment (p = 0.031). Lymphocyte levels were higher after Ptx + MBG but not Ptx + G-CSF treatment compared to Ptx alone (p < 0.01). MBG increased CFU-GM activity in bone marrow and spleen (p < 0.001, p = 0.002) 2 days after Ptx. After two additional days (Ptx post-day 4), MBG restored granulocyte/monocyte ROS response to normal levels compared to Ptx-alone and increased ROS response compared to Ptx-alone or Ptx + G-CSF (p < 0.01, both). The studies indicate that oral MBG promoted maturation of HPC to become functionally active myeloid cells and enhanced peripheral blood leukocyte recovery after chemotoxic bone marrow injury.

Cultivation and bioactivity assessment of Grifola frondosa fruiting bodies on olive oil press cakes substrates

Grifola frondosa, a medicinal and edible mushroom, was cultivated on substrates composed of olive oil press cakes with different supplements. Crude extracts were prepared from mature fruiting bodies and tested for their capacity to stimulate splenocyte proliferation. Two wild-growing fruiting bodies were extracted for comparison. Olive oil press cakes reduced the mushroom yield, and the best biological efficiency was obtained on substrates supplemented with wheat bran and without olive oil press cakes. All extracts were capable of inducing splenocyte proliferation and were half as effective as the positive control (6.0 microg/mL phytohaemagglutinin). No correlation between substrate composition and bioactivity could be established. Extracts from wild-growing G. frondosa were superior to cultivated ones in respect to biological activity.

Synergistic potentiation of D-fraction with vitamin C as possible alternative approach for cancer therapy

Maitake D-fraction or PDF is the bioactive extract of maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) and its active constituent is the protein-bound polysaccharide (proteoglucan), or more specifically known as beta-glucan. PDF has been extensively studied and a number of its medicinal potentials/properties have been unveiled and demonstrated. Those include various physiological benefits ranging from immunomodulatory and antitumor activities to treatment for hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, viral infections (hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus), and obesity. Particularly, two major biological activities of PDF, immunomodulatory and antitumor activities, have been the main target for scientific and clinical research. To demonstrate and confirm such biological activities, numerous studies have been performed in vitro and in vivo or in clinical settings. These studies showed that PDF was indeed capable of modulating immunologic and hematologic parameters, inhibiting or regressing the cancer cell growth, and even improving quality of life of cancer patients. Synergistic potentiation of PDF with vitamin C demonstrated in vitro is rather interesting and may have clinical implication, because such combination therapy appears to help improve the efficacy of currently ongoing cancer therapies. Recently, intravenous administration of vitamin C has been often used to increase its physiological concentration and this useful procedure may further make this combination therapy feasible. Therefore, PDF may have great potential, either being used solely or combined with other agents, for cancer therapy. Such relevant and detailed studies will be described and discussed herein with a special focus on the combination of PDF and vitamin C as a viable therapeutic option.

A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: immunological effects

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients commonly use dietary supplements to "boost immune function". A polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake extract) showed immunomodulatory effects in preclinical studies and therefore the potential for clinical use. Whether oral administration in human produces measurable immunologic effects, however, is unknown.

METHODS

In a phase I/II dose escalation trial, 34 postmenopausal breast cancer patients, free of disease after initial treatment, were enrolled sequentially in five cohorts. Maitake liquid extract was taken orally at 0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 3, or 5 mg/kg twice daily for 3 weeks. Peripheral blood was collected at days -7, 0 (prior to the first dosing), 7, 14, and 21 for ex vivo analyses. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability.

RESULTS

No dose-limiting toxicity was encountered. Two patients withdrew prior to completion of the study due to grade I possibly related side effects: nausea and joint swelling in one patient; rash and pruritus in the second. There was a statistically significant association between Maitake and immunologic function (p < 0.0005). Increasing doses of Maitake increased some immunologic parameters and depressed others; the dose-response curves for many endpoints were non-monotonic with intermediate doses having either immune enhancing or immune suppressant effects compared with both high and low doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral administration of a polysaccharide extract from Maitake mushroom is associated with both immunologically stimulatory and inhibitory measurable effects in peripheral blood. Cancer patients should be made aware of the fact that botanical agents produce more complex effects than assumed, and may depress as well as enhance immune function.

Maitake beta-glucan enhances umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation in the NOD/SCID mouse

Beta glucans are cell wall constituents of yeast, fungi and bacteria, as well as mushrooms and barley. Glucans are not expressed on mammalian cells and are recognized as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) by pattern recognition receptors (PRR). Beta glucans have potential activity as biological response modifiers for hematopoiesis and enhancement of bone marrow recovery after injury. We have reported that Maitake beta glucan (MBG) enhanced mouse bone marrow (BMC) and human umbilical cord blood (CB) cell granulocyte-monocyte colony forming unit (GM-CFU) activity in vitro and protected GM-CFU forming stem cells from doxorubicin (DOX) toxicity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of MBG on expansion of phenotypically distinct subpopulations of progenitor and stem cells in CB from full-term infants cultured ex vivo and on homing and engraftment in vivo in the nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mouse. MBG promoted a greater expansion of CD34+CD33+CD38- human committed hematopoietic progenitor (HPC) cells compared to the conventional stem cell culture medium (P = 0.002 by ANOVA). CD34+CXCR4+CD38- early, uncommitted human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) numbers showed a trend towards increase in response to MBG. The fate of CD34+ enriched CB cells after injection into the sublethally irradiated NOS/SCID mouse was evaluated after retrieval of xenografted human CB from marrow and spleen by flow cytometric analysis. Oral administration of MBG to recipient NOS/SCID mice led to enhanced homing at 3 days and engraftment at 6 days in mouse bone marrow (P = 0.002 and P = 0.0005, respectively) compared to control mice. More CD34+ human CB cells were also retrieved from mouse spleen in MBG treated mice at 6 days after transplantation. The studies suggest that MBG promotes hematopoiesis through effects on CD34+ progenitor cell expansion ex vivo and when given to the transplant recipient could enhance CD34+ precursor cell homing and support engraftment.

Submerged culture mycelium and broth of Grifola frondosa improve glycemic responses in diabetic rats

Grifola frondosa, an edible fungus with a large fruiting body and overlapping caps, has been demonstrated to be a natural source of health-promoting substances, mainly due to its polysaccharides beta-glucan. By using male Wistar rats injected with saline (normal rats) or nicotinamide plus streptozotocin (diabetic rats), we investigated the effects of an orally ingested placebo (CON and STZ groups), culture mycelium (CGM and SGM groups), broth (CGB and SGB groups), and mycelium plus broth (CGX and SGX groups) of Grifola frondosa on glycemic responses. During the experimental period (from day 0 to day 15), the STZ group had significantly lower body weight compared to the CON group (one-way ANOVA, p<0.05). Moreover, the STZ group had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations at 2 hour-postprandial periods on days 0, 7, and 14 and in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on day 10, as well as significantly higher serum fructosamine and triglyceride on day 15 compared to the CON group. These diabetes-induced increases were significantly attenuated by administrations of mycelium and/or broth, i.e., the SGM, SGB, and SGX groups. The results of repeated-measures analysis and three-way ANOVA indicated that diabetes mellitus significantly increases, and mycelium administration significantly decreases postprandial blood glucose; diabetes mellitus significantly increases, and mycelium and broth administrations significantly decrease serum triglyceride, fructosamine, and blood glucose concentrations; moreover, in the area under the curve in OGTT, p<0.05. Our results revealed that submerged-culture mycelia and broth of Grifola frondosa have bioactivities for improving glycemic responses.

Protective effects of beta-glucan extracted from barley against benzo[a]pyrene-induced DNA damage in hepatic cell HepG2

The aim of the present study was to assess the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effect of beta-glucan (BG) extracted from barley. The genotoxicity of BG was tested in the single-cell gel electrophoresis assays (SCGE)/HepG2 test system. Moreover, the protective effects of BG against the genotoxicity of B[a]P were studied to delineate its mechanism of antigenotoxicity using four different treatment protocols - pre-treatment, simultaneous simple, simultaneous with pre-incubation, and post-treatment. The results showed that the compound itself was devoid of mutagenic activity at the three lower concentrations studied (1, 5, and 25microg/mL); however, genotoxic and cytotoxic effects were seen at 100 and 200microg/mL, respectively. In combination experiments with B[a]P, pronounced inhibition of DNA migration in the SCGE assay was observed in the two simultaneous treatments, and a smaller reduction was observed in the two other treatments. Thus, the data suggest that BG acts through binding to the genotoxic compound or capturing free radicals produced during its activation. However, the protective effects observed with pre-treatment and post-treatment suggest that the BG may be modulating cell metabolism.

Cordyceps sinensis health supplement enhances recovery from taxol-induced leukopenia

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the health food supplement Cordyceps sinensis (CS) to ameliorate suppressive effects of chemotherapy on bone marrow function as a model for cancer treatment. Mice were treated with Taxol (17 mg/kg body wt) one day before oral administration of a hot-water extract of CS (50 mg/kg daily) that was given daily for 3 weeks. White blood cell counts in peripheral blood of mice receiving Taxol were at 50% of normal levels on day 28 but had recovered completely in mice treated with CS. In vitro assays showed that CS enhanced the colony-forming ability of both granulocyte macrophage colony forming unit (GM-CFU) and osteogenic cells from bone marrow preparations and promoted the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells into adipocytes, alkaline phosphatase-positive osteoblasts, and bone tissue. This result could be attributed to enhanced expression of Cbfa1 (core binding factor a) and BMP-2 (bone morphogenetic protein) with concurrent suppression of ODF (osteoclast differentiation factor/RANK [receptor activator of NF-kappaB]) ligand. In summary, CS enhances recovery of mice from leukopenia caused by Taxol treatment. It appears to do so by protecting both hematopoietic progenitor cells directly and the bone marrow stem cell niche through its effects on osteoblast differentiation.

Immunomodulating and anticancer agents in the realm of macromycetes fungi (macrofungi)

Nowadays macrofungi are distinguished as important natural resources of immunomodulating and anticancer agents and with regard to the increase in diseases involving immune dysfunction, cancer, autoimmune conditions in recent years, applying such immunomodulator agents especially with the natural original is vital. These compounds belong mainly to polysaccharides especially beta-d-glucan derivates, glycopeptide/protein complexes (polysaccharide-peptide/protein complexes), proteoglycans, proteins and triterpenoids. Among polysaccharides, beta(1-->3)-d-glucans and their peptide/protein derivates and among proteins, fungal immunomodulatory proteins (Fips) have more important role in immunomodulating and antitumor activities. Immunomodulating and antitumor activity of these metabolites related to their effects to act of immune effecter cells such as hematpoietic stem cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and natural killer (NK) cells involved in the innate and adaptive immunity, resulting in the production of biologic response modifiers. In this review we have introduced the medicinal mushrooms' metabolites with immunomoduling and antitumor activities according to immunological evidences and then demonstrated their effects on innate and adaptive immunity and also the mechanisms of activation of immune responses and signaling cascade. In addition, their molecular structure and their relation to these activities have been shown. The important instances of these metabolites along with their immunomodulating and/or antitumor activities isolated from putative medicinal mushrooms are also introduced.

Protection against radiation-induced bone marrow and intestinal injuries by Cordyceps sinensis, a Chinese herbal medicine

Bone marrow and intestinal damage limits the efficacy of radiotherapy for cancer and can result in death if the whole body is exposed to too high a dose, as might be the case in a nuclear accident or terrorist incident. Identification of an effective nontoxic biological radioprotector is therefore a matter of some urgency. In this study, we show that an orally administered hot-water extract from a Chinese herbal medicine, Cordyceps sinensis (CS), protects mice from bone marrow and intestinal injuries after total-body irradiation (TBI). CS increased the median time to death from 13 to 20 days after 8 Gy TBI and from 9 to 18 days after 10 Gy TBI. Although CS-treated mice receiving 10 Gy TBI survived intestinal injury, most died from bone marrow failure, as shown by severe marrow hypoplasia in mice dying between 18 and 24 days. At lower TBI doses of 5.5 and 6.5 Gy, CS protected against bone marrow death, an effect that was confirmed by the finding that white blood cell counts recovered more rapidly. In vitro, CS reduced the levels of free radical species (ROS) within cells, and this is one likely mechanism for the radioprotective effects of CS, although probably not the only one.

Enhancement of umbilical cord blood cell hematopoiesis by maitake beta-glucan is mediated by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor production

Maitake beta-glucan (MBG) is an extract from the fruit body of the Grifola frondosa mushroom that is being widely used to treat cancer in Asia. We have previously reported that MBG enhances mouse bone marrow cell (BMC) hematopoiesis in vitro and protects BMC from doxorubicin (DOX) toxicity. In the current study, we investigated the ability of MBG to enhance hematopoiesis and to reduce the toxic effects of DOX on fresh human umbilical cord blood (CB) cells. MBG treatment significantly enhanced the colony formation unit (CFU) response of granulocytes-macrophages (CFU-GM response) over the whole dose range of 12.5 to 100 microg/ml (P < 0.05). The addition of MBG to DOX-treated CB cells significantly protected granulocyte-macrophage colony formation from the toxicity of DOX, which otherwise produced strong hematopoietic repression. MBG also partially replaced recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), as shown by a significant augmentation of the CFU-GM response in the absence of rhG-CSF. We found that MBG induces granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) production in CB CD33+ monocytes, as detected by intracellular cytokine flow cytometric assessment. In contrast, we found that adult peripheral blood monocytes did not produce a significant G-CSF response to MBG, whereas both adult and CB monocytes produced G-CSF in response to lipopolysaccharide. These studies provide the first evidence that MBG induces hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation of CFU-GM in umbilical CB cells and acts directly to induce G-CSF.

Evaluation of antimutagenic activity and mechanisms of action of β-glucan from barley, in CHO-k1 and HTC cell lines using the micronucleus test

Due to the need to identify new antimutagenic agents and to determine their mechanism of action, the present study examined the mechanism of action of the beta-glucan with regard to antimutagenicity using the micronucleus assay in CHO-k1 and HTC cell lines. The mutagenicity experiments were performed with three different concentrations of beta-glucan (5, 10, and 20 microg/mL), in wich only the highest dose showed mutagenic activity. In the antimutagenicity experiments, the same concentrations of beta-glucan were combined with a mutagenic agent, methylmethane sulfonate, or 2-aminoanthracene, using four different treatment protocols: pre-treatment, simultaneous treatment (simple and with pre-incubation), and post-treatment. The results indicate that the CHO-k1 cell line treated with MMS presented a chemopreventive activity for all the doses of beta-glucan in the different treatment protocols, except for the lowest dose in post-treatment. When HTC cell line treated with MMS is analysed, a chemopreventive activity can be verified for the highest dose in both pre- and post-treatment. For the simple simultaneous treatment, the three doses demonstrated efficacy, while for the simultaneous treatment with pre-incubation only the intermediate concentration was effective. In HTC treated with 2AA both the lowest dose in the pre-treatment protocol and the post-treatment protocol did not show efficacy in preventing DNA damage. The evaluation of the different protocols and the damage decrease percentages observed suggest that beta-glucan has both desmutagenic and bioantimutagenic activity. It is necessary, however, to note that efficacy and mechanism of action are subject to variation when compared the two cell lines, since in HTC, representing a drug-metabolizing system, this substance can show a diminished chemopreventive capacity.

Protective effect of beta-glucan extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, against DNA damage and cytotoxicity in wild-type (k1) and repair-deficient (xrs5) CHO cells

A large number of functional foods, including those that contain beta-glucan, have been shown to prevent the development of cancer and other chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to elucidate its mechanism of action, as well as to understand its effects as an antigenotoxic, anticlastogenic agent, and to determine its capacity to preserve cell viability. The investigation was carried out in the CHO-k1 and CHO-xrs5 cell lines. The cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay indicated that the different doses of beta-glucan examined (5, 10, 20 and 40 microg/ml) did not show clastogenic effects. In the CHO-k1 cell line, a chemopreventive effect could be observed in all the protocols tested: pre-treatment (% reduction of 35.0-57.3), simultaneous treatment (simple--5 reduction of 19.7-55.6 and with pre-incubation--of 42.7-56.4) and post-treatment (% reduction of 17.9-37.6). This finding indicates mechanisms of action involving desmutagenesis and bioantimutagenesis, albeit the latter having a lesser role. However, in the repair-deficient CHO-xrs5 cells, beta-glucan did not show a protective effect with post-treatment (% reduction of 2.96), thus supporting the involvement of bioantimutagenesis. The comet assay in CHO-k1 cells demonstrated that beta-glucan has neither a genotoxic nor an antigenotoxic effect. Cell viability tests indicated that beta-glucan preserves cell viability in both cell lines, preventing apoptotic events. These findings suggest that beta-glucan, when present in foods, could provide them with nutraceutical characteristics and act as a dietary supplement, or that beta-glucan could be used in new drug development.

Formaldehyde as a potential human leukemogen: an assessment of biological plausibility

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, 2004) recently reevaluated the epidemiological data on formaldehyde and concluded that there was "strong but not sufficient evidence for a causal association between leukaemia and occupational exposure to formaldehyde." This conclusion was tempered since a mechanism for leukemia induction could not be identified. Chemically induced leukemia is a well-studied phenomenon with benzene and a number of cancer chemotherapeutic drugs recognized as capable of causing this effect. Abundant in vitro and in vivo data in animals and humans demonstrate that exposure to sufficient doses of these recognized leukemogens can initiate a cascade of events leading to hematopoietic toxicity and the subsequent development of leukemia. This review addresses the biological plausibility that formaldehyde might be capable of causing any type of leukemia by providing a broad overview of the scientific data that must be considered in order to support or refute a conclusion that a particular substance might be leukemogenic. Data on benzene and selected chemotherapeutic cancer drugs are used as examples and are briefly summarized to demonstrate the similar biological events thought to result in leukemogenesis. These data are compared and contrasted with the available data on formaldehyde in order to judge whether they fulfill the criteria of biological plausibility that formaldehyde would be capable of inducing leukemia as suggested by the epidemiological data. Based on the epidemiological data, it is reasonable to expect that if formaldehyde was capable of inducing leukemia, in vivo and in vitro data would offer supporting evidence for biological plausibility. In particular, there is (1) no evidence to suggest that formaldehyde reaches any target organ beyond the site of administration including the bone marrow, (2) no indication that formaldehyde is toxic to the bone marrow/hematopoietic system in in vivo or in vitro studies, and (3) no credible evidence that formaldehyde induces leukemia in experimental animals. As discussed in this review, based on the key biological events that occur in the process of chemically induced leukemia, there is inadequate biological evidence currently available to corroborate existing weak epidemiological associations. This provides an insufficient database to conclude that there is a causal relationship for formaldehyde and leukemia risk.

The Systemic Theory of Living Systems. Part IV: Systemic Medicine--The Praxis

This fourth lecture illustrates the praxis and results of Systemic Medicine (SM) in various therapeutic applications. SM's success has made it popular throughout Venezuela and Puerto Rico. The treatment of over 300,000 patients by 150 orthodox MD's, trained and qualified in SM, in 35 medical establishments with above average results corroborate its effectiveness as an eCAM in chronic degenerative diseases. Herein we provide a synopsis of results obtained in four such pathologies-the journal's necessary space restrictions somewhat limiting content-as well as clinical and photographic evidence. The validity of any medical theory is substantiated by its degree of effectivity and success. The workability of evidence-based SM corroborates Systemic Theory's transcendence.

Oligo- and polysaccharides exhibit a structure-dependent bioactivity on human keratinocytes in vitro

In traditional medicine, a variety of plants with high carbohydrate contents were used for dermatological therapies. Contemporary investigations confirmed exogenous carbohydrates as biologically active. The recent study describes the characterization of oligo- and polysaccharides from medicinal herbs and evaluation of composite-dependent physiological activity of carbohydrates on human keratinocytes in vitro. Polysaccharide isolation was followed by size- and charge fractionation. Identification of monosaccharide components was performed by GLC/MS. Primary human keratinocytes (NHK) and cells of the cell line HaCaT were used for investigation of carbohydrate action on cellular proliferation (BrdU-uptake), differentiation specific enzymes (involucrin), cell viability (MTT-reduction) and cytotoxicity. Incubation of keratinocytes with a purified beta-glucan from Reed mace seeds resulted in an improved proliferation followed by an increased differentiation after contact inhibition. Fucosylated oligo- and polysaccharides of human milk and Sea weed induced involucrin expression as maker for early differentiation without an increase in proliferation. Cell viability and proliferation of keratinocytes were enhanced by an arabinogalactan of Kaki fruits. Okra fruit rhamnogalacturonans increased cell proliferation. Heart sease pectin-like polysaccharides reduced the proliferation significantly but improved the cell viability. These results led assume that the carbohydrates of traditional used herbs play a part in their efficacy.

Beta-glucan enhances complement-mediated hematopoietic recovery after bone marrow injury

Myelotoxic injury in the bone marrow (BM) as a consequence of total body irradiation (TBI) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilization results in the deposition of iC3b on BM stroma (stroma-iC3b). In the present study, we have examined how stroma-iC3b interacts with hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and the role of complement (C) and complement receptor 3 (CR3) in BM injury/repair. We demonstrate here that stroma-iC3b tethers HPCs via the inserted (I) domain of HPC complement receptor 3 (CR3, CD11b/CD18, Mac-1). Following irradiation, stroma-iC3b was observed in the presence of purified IgM and normal mouse serum (NMS), but not serum from Rag-2(-/-) mice, implicating a role for antibody (Ab) and the classic pathway of C activation. Furthermore, a novel role for soluble yeast beta-glucan, a ligand for the CR3 lectin-like domain (LLD), in the priming of CR3(+) HPC is suggested. Soluble yeast beta-glucan could enhance the proliferation of tethered HPCs, promote leukocyte recovery following sublethal irradiation, and increase the survival of lethally irradiated animals following allogeneic HPC transplantation in a CR3-dependent manner. Taken together, these observations suggest a novel role for C, CR3, and beta-glucan in the restoration of hematopoiesis following injury.

Antiinflammatory and immunomodulating properties of fungal metabolites

We discuss current information on the ability of extracts and isolated metabolites from mushrooms to modulate immune responses. This can result in a more enhanced innate and acquired disease resistance. The major immunomodulating effects of these active substances derived from mushrooms include mitogenicity and activation of immune effector cells, such as lymphocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells, resulting in the production of cytokines, including interleukins (ILs), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-alpha, and interferon gamma (INF)-gamma. In particular, the ability of selective mushroom extracts to modulate the differentiation capacity of CD4(+) T cells to mature into T(H)1 and/or T(H)2 subsets will be discussed. As a consequence these extracts will have profound effects in particular diseases, like chronic autoimmune T(H)1-mediated or allergic T(H)2-mediated diseases. Immunosuppressive effects by mushroom components have also been observed. The therapeutic effects of mushrooms, such as anticancer activity, suppression of autoimmune diseases, and allergy have been associated with their immunomodulating effects. However, further studies are needed to determine the molecular mechanisms of the immunomodulating effects of mushrooms metabolites both individually and in complex mixtures, for example, extracts.