Immunomodulatory effect of Antrodia camphorata mycelia and culture filtrate

Effect of (-)-α-Bisabolol on the Inflammatory Response in Systemic Infection Experimental Model in C57BL/6 Mice

(-)-α-Bisabolol (BISA) is an unsaturated monocyclic sesquiterpenes compound, mainly found in the essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). It has been reported that this compound has several biological activities, but there are few studies evaluating the activity of this compound in the systemic inflammatory response in infectious processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of BISA on the inflammatory response and survival rate in a systemic infection model, and in vitro neutrophils phagocytic activity. BISA at concentration of 3, 10, 30, and 90 μg/ml did not presented in vitro cytotoxicity in MTT assay, and at concentrations of 1 and 3 μg/ml the BISA treatment increased in vitro phagocytic neutrophil activity. For the inflammatory response study, we verified the BISA treatment effect in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced systemic infection model in mice; in this model, we demonstrate that BISA at dose of 100 mg/kg reduced the leukocyte recruitment in peritoneal cavity; at dose of 200 mg/kg, the NO concentration was increased in the peritoneal cavity. The bacteria CFU number was reduced in mice blood in the BISA treatment, at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. The BISA treatment at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg increased the myeloperoxidase activity and reduction NO production in lung tissue of mice in CLP model. At dose of 100 mg/kg, the BISA treatment was able to reduce the mortality rate of mice submitted to CLP-induced sepsis and observed for 7 days. The results suggest an effect of BISA on inflammatory response, with activity on leukocyte chemotactic and NO production, in addition to increasing the survival rate of animals submitted to CLP model.

A Pilot Study to Assess Food Safety and Potential Cholesterol-Lowering Efficacy of Antrodia cinnamomea Solid-State Cultivated Mycelium in Healthy Adults

Antrodia cinnamomea is a Taiwanese medicinal mushroom with multiple pharmacological activities. Antrodia cinnamomea solid-state cultivated mycelium (LAC) exerts health-related effects in animal and cell models, but clinical data is limited. This study aimed to determine the safety and effects of LAC on human physiological functions. In an open-label, single-arm study, 32 healthy men and women ingested LAC capsules for three months. The subjects were monitored during the study and one month after the study end-point. LAC consumption did not significantly change fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels or liver and renal function indices. No adverse events occurred during the trial. Moreover, a significant change from baseline in total cholesterol levels was observed; men and women had decreases of 5.7% and 5.3%, respectively. Based on these, the ingestion of LAC-capsule has a considerable degree of safety and has the potential to reduce total cholesterol in healthy adults.

Combination of cut-log cultivated fruiting body and solid-state cultured mycelia of Taiwanofungus camphoratus ameliorates CCl4-induced liver injury in rats

Taiwanofungus camphoratus, a medicinal mushroom indigenous to Taiwan, possesses various pharmacological functions. The most recognized ethnopharmacological relevance of T. camphoratus is hepatoprotection since it was traditionally used for treating liver disorders by Taiwan aborigines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of the combination of fruiting body and solid-state cultured mycelia of T. camphoratus (LDAC) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced chronic liver damage in rats. We treated Wistar rats daily with low, medium and high [87.5, 175 and 437.5 mg/kg body weight (bw), respectively] doses of LDAC for 9 weeks. After the first week of treatment, rats were administered 20% CCl₄ (0.5 mL/0.3 kg bw) twice a week to induce liver damage until the treatment ended. The results showed that administration of LDAC by oral gavage significantly reduced the absolute weight of the liver and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in CCl₄-treated rats_. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRd) and catalase (CAT) were increased by LDAC treatment. Moreover, LDAC improved CCl₄-induced hepatic vacuolization, necrosis and fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner, and no adverse effects were observed in the LDAC-treated groups. Based on the results, LDAC is a promising hepatoprotective agent for preventing and ameliorating CCl₄-induced chronic liver injury, and this effect might be exerted through activation of the antioxidant defense system.

•

Combining cut-log fruiting body and solid-state mycelia of T. camphoratus is an efficient production.

•

The HPLC fingerprint shows the index compounds in the combination (LDAC).

•

LDAC decreases serum ALT and AST levels and elevates antioxidant activity in CCl₄-treated rats.

•

LDAC dramatically improves rat hepatic necrosis and fibrosis induced by CCl₄.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Fruiting Body Extract and Solid-State-Cultivated Mycelia of Taiwanofungus camphoratus

Taiwanofungus camphoratus is a rare and valuable medicinal mushroom indigenous to Taiwan. It has traditionally been used to promote good health. This study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory effects of “Leader Deluxe Taiwanofungus camphoratus capsule” (LDAC). LDAC is a healthy food product composed of fruiting body extract and solid-state-cultivated mycelia of T. camphoratus. Two complementary studies were performed. In the first, LDAC was orally administered to BABL/c female mice for 6 weeks as part of a non-specific immune study. In the second, mice were treated with LDAC for 8 weeks and immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) in a specific immune study. LDAC increased the growth of splenic immune cells and enhanced the activity of macrophages and natural killer cells. It increased the levels of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G, and OVA-IgG, and decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, serum IgE, and OVA-IgE. Thus, the findings of this study strongly supported the idea that LDAC possesses immunomodulatory activity.

Diversity of potentially exploitable pharmacological activities of the highly prized edible medicinal fungus Antrodia camphorata

Antrodia camphorata, also known as A. cinnamomea, is a precious medicinal basidiomycete fungus endemic to Taiwan. This article summarizes the recent advances in research on the multifarious pharmacological effects of A. camphorata. The mushroom exhibits anticancer activity toward a large variety of cancers including breast, cervical, ovarian, prostate, bladder, colorectal, pancreatic, liver, and lung cancers; melanoma; leukemia; lymphoma; neuroblastoma; and glioblastoma. Other activities encompass antiinflammatory, antiatopic dermatitis, anticachexia, immunoregulatory, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antiatherosclerotic, antihypertensive, antiplatelet, antioxidative, antiphotodamaging, hepatoprotective, renoprotective, neuroprotective, testis protecting, antiasthmatic, osteogenic, osteoprotective, antiviral, antibacterial, and wound healing activities. This review aims to provide a reference for further development and utilization of this highly prized mushroom.

Enhancement of antroquinonol production during batch fermentation using pH control coupled with an oxygen vector

BACKGROUND

Antroquinonol, a ubiquinone derivative that shows anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities, is produced during solid-state fermentation of Antrodia camphorata; however, it cannot be biosynthesized via conventional submerged fermentation.

RESULTS

A method for enhancing the biosynthesis of antroquinonol by controlling pH and adding an oxygen vector in a 7 L bioreactor was studied. In shake-flask experiments, a maximum antroquinonol production of 31.39 ± 0.78 mg L^-1 was obtained by fermentation with adding 0.2 g L^-1 coenzyme Q₀ (CoQ₀ ), at the 96th hour. Following kinetic analysis of the fermentation process, pH control strategies were investigated. A maximum antroquinonol production of 86.47 ± 3.65 mg L^-1 was achieved when the pH was maintained at 5.0, which exhibited an increase of 348.03% higher than the batch without pH regulation (19.30 ± 0.88 mg L^-1 ). The conversion rate of CoQ₀ improved from 1.51% to 20.20%. Further research revealed that the addition of n-tetradecane could increase the production of antroquinonol to 115.62 ± 4.87 mg L^-1 by increasing the dissolved oxygen in the fermentation broth.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that pH played an important role in antroquinonol synthesis in the presence of the effective precursor CoQ₀ . It was a very effective strategy to increase the yield of antroquinonol by controlling pH and adding oxygen vector. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antrodia cinnamomea induces autophagic cell death via the CHOP/TRB3/Akt/mTOR pathway in colorectal cancer cells

Antrodia cinnamomea, a well-known traditional medicine used in Taiwan, is a potent anticancer drug for colorectal cancer, but the upstream molecular mechanism of its anticancer effects remains unclear. In this study, A. cinnamomea extracts showed cytotoxicity in HCT116, HT29, SW480, Caco-2 and, Colo205 colorectal cancer cells. Whole-genome expression profiling of A. cinnamomea extracts in HCT116 cells was performed. A. cinnamomea extracts upregulated the expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker CHOP and its downstream gene TRB3. Moreover, dephosphorylation of Akt and mTOR as well as autophagic cell death were observed. Gene expression and autophagic cell death were reversed by the knockdown of CHOP and TRB3. Autophagy inhibition but not apoptosis inhibition reversed A. cinnamomea-induced cell death. Finally, we demonstrated that A. cinnamomea extracts significantly suppressed HCT116 tumour growth in nude mice. Our findings suggest that autophagic cell death via the CHOP/TRB3/Akt/mTOR pathway may represent a new mechanism of anti-colorectal cancer action by A. cinnamomea. A. cinnamomea is a new CHOP activator and potential drug that can be used in colorectal cancer treatment.

Effects of Taiwanofungus camphoratus on non-specific and specific immune activities in mice

Taiwanofungus camphoratus is a precious medicinal fungus endemic to Taiwan and has been used as traditional medicine for a long time. Many pharmacological studies have revealed that T. camphoratus possessed various biological activities, such as immunomodulatory effects, anticancer activity and liver protective function. The aim of this study is to investigate the non-specific and antigen (ovalbumin [OVA])-specific immunomodulation effects of solid-state cultivated powder of T. camphoratus (Leader Antrodia cinnamomea [LAC]) in BABL/c male mice. In non-specific and antigen-specific immune function studies, 8-week-old mice were orally administered with LAC for 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. The results have shown that the proliferation of splenic immune cells, phagocytic activity of macrophages and cytolytic activity of natural killer cells were enhanced by LAC. Additionally, LAC increased the levels of IL-2, TNF-α, INF-γ, GM-CSF and serum OVA-IgG and OVA-IgM. These findings provided evidences that LAC had the immunomodulation effects on both antigen-specific and non-specific immune responses in mice.

Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of eburicoic acid, a triterpenoid compound from Antrodia camphorata, by regulation of Akt phosphorylation, gluconeogenesis, and PPARα in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

The study is designed to examine the potential effects and underlying mechanisms of eburicoic acid (TRR), a compound from Antrodia camphorata, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Diabetic mice were randomly divided into six groups and given TRR orally by gavage (at three dosage rates) or fenofibrate (Feno) (250 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) or metformin (Metf) (300 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) or vehicle for 2 weeks. STZ-induced diabetic mice were found to have increased blood glucose, HbA1_C, plasma triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, but reduced blood insulin, adiponectin, and leptin levels as compared with the CON group. TRR was found to lower blood glucose and HbA1_C, but increase insulin levels. Plasma TG and TC levels were significantly lowered in TRR, Feno, or Metf-treated STZ-induced diabetic mice as compared with the vehicle-treated STZ group, indicating that TRR, Feno, and Metf ameliorated hyperlipidemia. The islet cells of STZ-induced diabetic mice exhibited a marked reduction from their classic round-shape as compared to the CON mice. The TRR-treated STZ mice revealed restoration of the size of Langerhans islet cells with β-cell repair as compared with the vehicle-treated STZ mice, implying that TRR ameliorated STZ-induced diabetic states within the pancreas. STZ-induction was found to decrease the expressions of membrane glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and phosphorylation of Akt in skeletal muscles, and administration of TRR reversed all the decreases. Moreover, administration of TRR increased blood insulin levels and enhanced hepatic expression levels of phospho-Akt and phospho-FoxO1 but decreased the mRNA levels of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6 Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) to suppress hepatic glucose production, thus leading to TRR's antidiabetic activity. Additionally, TRR caused an increase in the expression levels of fatty acid oxidation gene peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), but a decrease in lipogenic fatty acid synthase (FAS) and PPARγ expressions in the liver. TRR treatment suppressed hepatic mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) 1c and SREBP2, leading to decreased plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. These findings indicate that TRR may effectively enhance therapeutic potential in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus and/or hyperlipidemia.

The study is designed to examine the potential effects and underlying mechanisms of eburicoic acid (TRR), a compound from Antrodia camphorata, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.

The adjuvant effects of high-molecule-weight polysaccharides purified from Antrodia cinnamomea on dendritic cell function and DNA vaccines

The biological activity of the edible basidiomycete Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) has been studied extensively. Many effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, have been reported from either crude extracts or compounds isolated from AC. However, research addressing the function of AC in enhancing immunity is rare. The aim of the present study is to investigate the active components and the mechanism involved in the immunostimulatory effect of AC. We found that polysaccharides (PS) in the water extract of AC played a major role in dendritic cell (DC) activation, which is a critical leukocyte in initiating immune responses. We further size purified and identified that the high-molecular weight PS fraction (greater than 100 kDa) exhibited the activating effect. The AC high-molecular weight PSs (AC hmwPSs) promoted pro-inflammatory cytokine production by DCs and the maturation of DCs. In addition, DC-induced antigen-specific T cell activation and Th1 differentiation were increased by AC hmwPSs. In studying the molecular mechanism, we confirmed the activation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways in DCs after AC hmwPSs treatment. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TLR2 and TLR4 are required for the stimulatory activity of AC hmwPSs on DCs. In a mouse tumor model, we demonstrated that AC hmwPSs enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy of the HER-2/neu DNA vaccine by facilitating specific Th1 responses. Thus, we conclude that hmwPSs are the major components of AC that stimulate DCs via the TLR2/TLR4 and NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways. The AC hmwPSs have potential to be applied as adjuvants.

Lyophilized particles and ethanolic extracts of Antrodia cinnamomea mycelia suppress the tumorigenicity of head and neck cancer cells in vivo

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most common forms of cancer in Taiwan. In addition, head and neck cancer cells (HNCs) are highly tumorigenic and resistant to conventional therapy. Therefore, development of new therapeutic regimens that are adjuvant to conventional treatments would benefit future head and neck cancer therapy. In this study, we found that the lyophilized particles and ethanolic extracts of Antrodia cinnamomea mycelia inhibited the tumor growth of HNCs by xenograft assay in vivo. Moreover, administration of lyophilized particles or ethanolic extracts to nude mice did not cause significant side effects. Our study revealed that the Antrodia cinnamomea mycelia extract (ACME) efficiently inhibited the tumorigenicity of HNCs without causing organ failure. Furthermore, it showed that ACME may work as a novel drug candidate for alternative treatments for head and neck cancer.

Coenzyme Q0 from Antrodia cinnamomea in Submerged Cultures Induces Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Apoptosis in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells

We investigated the anticancer effects of Antrodia cinnamomea, a medicinal mushroom from Taiwan, on A549 human lung cancer cells using the ethyl acetate extract from submerged culture filtrates. Our results showed that 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (coenzyme Q0; CoQ0) derived from A. cinnamomea submerged culture filtrates has anticancer activity. CoQ0 treatment reduced the viability of A549, HepG2, and SW480 cancer cell lines. Furthermore, CoQ0 induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis in A549 cells, which was inhibited by the antioxidant ascorbic acid. To our knowledge, these data demonstrate for the first time that CoQ0 derived from A. cinnamomea submerged culture filtrates exerts its anticancer effect through the induction of ROS-mediated apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells.

The medicinal fungus Antrodia cinnamomea suppresses inflammation by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Antrodia cinnamomea--a medicinal fungus that is indigenous to Taiwan--has been used as a health tonic by aboriginal tribes and the Asian population. Recent studies indicate that Antrodia cinnamomea extracts exhibit hepato-protective, anti-hypertensive, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, and anti-cancer effects on cultured cells and laboratory animals. This study aims to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of an Antrodia cinnamomea ethanol extract (ACEE) and elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed, ATP-stimulated human THP-1 macrophages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of ACEE on cell viability were studied using the MTT assay. The expressions of genes, proteins, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting and ELISA, respectively. The ACEE was further investigated for its effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production using ROS detection kit.

RESULTS

Our results showed that ACEE significantly inhibits ATP-induced secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by LPS-primed macrophages. ACEE also suppresses the transcription and activation of caspase-1, which is responsible for the cleavage and activation of IL-1β and IL-18. Of note, ACEE not only reduces expression of the inflammasome component NLRP3 and the purinergic receptor P2X7R but also inhibits ATP-induced ROS production and caspase-1 activation. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of ACEE correlate with reduced activation of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicate that Antrodia cinnamomea suppresses the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 associated with inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. These findings suggest that ACEE may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Effect of estragole on leukocyte behavior and phagocytic activity of macrophages

Estragole, a chemical constituent of the essential oils of many aromatic plants, is used as flavoring in beverage and food industries. In vivo and in vitro experimental assays have shown that EST has sedative, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anesthetic activity. In this work, we evaluate the effect of EST on leukocyte behavior and phagocytic activity of macrophages. In the peritonitis model, EST (500 and 750 mg/kg) decreased the infiltration of peritoneal exudate leukocytes. In vitro chemotaxis assay showed that EST (3, 10, 30, and 60 μg/mL) inhibited neutrophil migration toward fMLP. In the in vivo microcirculation assay, EST at doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes and at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg decreased number of leukocyte migrated to perivascular tissue. The results showed that EST (3, 10, and 30 μg/mL) was able to stimulate the macrophages phagocytosis but only at concentration of 10 μg/mL promoted an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production. In conclusion, this study showed that EST had potential anti-inflammatory effects, likely by inhibiting leukocyte migration and by stimulating macrophages phagocytosis.

Inhibitory effects of black soybean on platelet activation mediated through its active component of adenosine

Owing to the beneficial health effects on human cardiovascular system, soybeans and soy-related products have been a focus of intensive research. Soy isoflavones are known to be primarily responsible for the soy-related biological effects including anti-platelet activity but its in vivo relevancy has not been fully verified. Here we compared the role of adenosine, an active ingredient abundant in black soybean (BB) extract, in the anti-platelet effects of BB, to that of soy isoflavones. At the concentrations existing in BB, isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein could not attenuate collagen-induced platelet aggregation, however, adenosine significantly inhibited platelet aggregation with an equivalent potency to BB, suggesting that adenosine may be the major bioactive component. Consistently, the anti-aggregatory effects of BB disappeared after treatment of adenosine receptor antagonists. The effects of BB are mediated by adenosine through intracellular cAMP and subsequent attenuation of calcium mobilization. Of note, adenosine and BB significantly reduced platelet fibrinogen binding and platelet adhesion, other critical events for platelet activation, which were not affected by isoflavones. Taken together, we demonstrated that adenosine might be the major active ingredient for BB-induced anti-platelet activity, which will shed new light on the roles of adenosine as a bioactive compound in soybeans and soy-related food.

Kojic acid, a secondary metabolite from Aspergillus sp., acts as an inducer of macrophage activation

KA (kojic acid) is a secondary metabolite isolated from Aspergillus fungi that has demonstrated skin whitening, antioxidant and antitumour properties among others. However, limited information is available regarding its effects on macrophages, the major cell involved in cell defence. The aim of the present study was to analyse whether KA affects functional properties related to macrophage activation, such as phagocytosis and spreading ability over a substrate. Treatment of resident macrophages with 50 μg/ml KA for 1 h induced both morphological and physiological alterations in cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed enhanced cell spreading and an increase in cell surface exposure, associated with a rearrangement of microtubules, actin filaments and intermediate filaments. KA also potentiated phagocytosis by macrophages, as demonstrated by the increase in phagocytic activity towards yeast, when compared to untreated cells. KA increased the production of ROS (reactive oxygen species), but not NO (nitric oxide) production. Three tests were used to assess cell viability; MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide], NR (neutral red) uptake and PI (propidium iodide) exclusion test, which showed that macrophages maintain their viability following KA treatment. Results indicate that KA can modulate macrophage activation through cytoskeleton rearrangement, increase cell surface exposure, enhance the phagocytic process and ROS production. The study demonstrates a new role for KA as a macrophage activator.

Macrophage mediated anti-proliferation effects of Anthodia camphorata non-polysaccharide based extracts on human hepatoma cells

It has been reported that medicinal mushrooms might induce different types of immune responses. Anthodia camphorata (A. camphorata) has attracted much attention for its therapeutic effects in treating hepatoma. We tested this anti-tumor effects using immunomodulation of macrophages and extracts of A. camphorata. We evaluated the anti-proliferation effects of various extracts of A. camphorata from fruiting bodies (AC-FB), mycelium of solid-state cultures (AC-SS), liquid-state cultures (AC-LS) and polyaccharide extracts from liquid-state cultures (AC-PS), and extracts of A. camphorata stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell-conditioned mediums (MC-CMs). We measured cell proliferation and, did migration assays by cell cycle analysis and by observing apoptosis-related proteins (AKT, PARP-1, and NF-κB) and the mRNA expression of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) of macrophages in human hepatoma cell lines. Our results revealed that two of the extracts (AC-FB and AC-SS) had better anti-proliferation effects, implying an immunomodulatory role the macrophages might play. This outcome is consistent with findings that AC-FB and AC-SS increase mRNA expression of TNF-α and the corresponding expression of apoptosis-related proteins on activation of MC-CMs, while A. camphorata polysaccharides induce macrophage-derived anti-tumor activities in human hepatoma cells via IL-1β and Akt activation. These results indicate that anti-tumor effects exerted by modulation of macrophage activation of A. camphorate may be influenced by the other constituents which (contained little or no polysaccharide) of A. camphorata.

Review of Pharmacological Effects of Antrodia camphorata and Its Bioactive Compounds

Antrodia camphorata is a unique mushroom of Taiwan, which has been used as a traditional medicine for protection of diverse health-related conditions. In an effort to translate this Eastern medicine into Western-accepted therapy, a great deal of work has been carried out on A. camphorata. This review discusses the biological activities of the crude extracts and the main bioactive compounds of A. camphorata. The list of bioactivities of crude extracts is huge, ranging from anti-cancer to vasorelaxation and others. Over 78 compounds consisting of terpenoids, benzenoids, lignans, benzoquinone derivatives, succinic and maleic derivatives, in addition to polysaccharides have been identified. Many of these compounds were evaluated for biological activity. Many activities of crude extracts and pure compounds of A. camphorata against some major diseases of our time, and thus, a current review is of great importance. It is concluded that A. camphorata can be considered as an efficient alternative phytotherapeutic agent or a synergizer in the treatment of cancer and other immune-related diseases. However, clinical trails of human on A. camphorata extracts are limited and those of pure compounds are absent. The next step is to produce some medicines from A. camphorata, however, the production may be hampered by problems related to mass production.

Promoting effect of Antrodia camphorata as an immunomodulating adjuvant on the antitumor efficacy of HER-2/neu DNA vaccine

It is well known that DNA vaccines induce protective humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in several animal models. Antrodia camphorata (AC) is a unique basidiomycete fungus of the Polyporaceae family that only grows on the aromatic tree Cinnamomum kanehirai Hayata (Lauraceae) endemic to Taiwan. Importantly, AC has been shown to be highly beneficial in the treatment and prevention of cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate whether AC is able to augment the antitumor immune properties of a HER-2/neu DNA vaccine in a mouse model in which p185neu is overexpressed in MBT-2 tumor cells. Compared with the mice that received the HER-2/neu DNA vaccine alone, co-treatment with AC suppressed tumor growth and extended the survival rate. This increase in the antitumor efficacy was attributed to the enhancement of the Th1-like cellular immune response by the HER-2/neu DNA vaccine-AC combination. Evidence for this came from the marked increase in the IFN-gamma mRNA expression in CD4+ T cells in the draining inguinal lymph nodes, an increase in the number of functional HER-2/neu-specific CTLs, and the increased tumor infiltration of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, depletion of which abolishes the antitumor effect of the HER-2/neu DNA vaccine-AC therapy. Our results further indicate that the treatment of mice with AC enhanced DC activation and production of Th1-activating cytokines (e.g. IL-12, and IFN-alpha) in the draining lymph nodes, which were sufficient to directly stimulate T cell proliferation and higher IFN-gamma production in response to ErbB2. Overall, these results clearly demonstrate that AC represents a promising immunomodulatory adjuvant that could enhance the therapeutic potency of HER-2/neu DNA vaccines in cancer therapy.