Glucan and humic acid: synergistic effects on the immune system

Humic Substances as a Versatile Intermediary

Humic substances are organic ubiquitous components arising in the process of chemical and microbiological oxidation, generally called humification, the second largest process of the carbon cycle. The beneficial properties of these various substances can be observed in many fields of life and health, whether it is the impact on the human organism, as prophylactic as well as the therapeutic effects; animal physiology and welfare, which is widely used in livestock farming; or the impact of humic substances on the environment and ecosystem in the context of renewal, fertilization and detoxification. Since animal health, human health and environmental health are interconnected and mutually influencing, this work brings insight into the excellence of the use of humic substances as a versatile mediator contributing to the promotion of One Health.

Clinical review of humic acid as an antiviral: Leadup to translational applications in clinical humeomics

This clinical review presents what is known about the antiviral features of humic substances (HS) to the benefit of the clinical healthcare provider using available data in humeomics, the study of the soil humeome. It provides the reader with a working framework of historical studies and includes clinically relevant data with the goal of providing a broad appreciation of the antiviral potential of humic substances while also preparing for a translational leap into the clinical application of humic acid.

Humic Substances as Microalgal Biostimulants—Implications for Microalgal Biotechnology

Humic substances (HS) act as biostimulants for terrestrial photosynthetic organisms. Their effects on plants are related to specific HS features: pH and redox buffering activities, (pseudo)emulsifying and surfactant characteristics, capacity to bind metallic ions and to encapsulate labile hydrophobic molecules, ability to adsorb to the wall structures of cells. The specific properties of HS result from the complexity of their supramolecular structure. This structure is more dynamic in aqueous solutions/suspensions than in soil, which enhances the specific characteristics of HS. Therefore, HS effects on microalgae are more pronounced than on terrestrial plants. The reported HS effects on microalgae include increased ionic nutrient availability, improved protection against abiotic stress, including against various chemical pollutants and ionic species of potentially toxic elements, higher accumulation of value-added ingredients, and enhanced bio-flocculation. These HS effects are similar to those on terrestrial plants and could be considered microalgal biostimulant effects. Such biostimulant effects are underutilized in current microalgal biotechnology. This review presents knowledge related to interactions between microalgae and humic substances and analyzes the potential of HS to enhance the productivity and profitability of microalgal biotechnology.

Nitrate shifted microenvironment: Driven aromatic-ring cleavage microbes and aromatic compounds precursor biodegradation during sludge composting

The aim of this study was to clarify the aromatic cleavage pathways and microbes involved in the adverse effect of nitrate on aromatic compounds humic substances during sludge composting. Results showed that the functional microbes involved in aromatic compounds humic substances precursors (catechol, tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine) cleavage pathways significantly enriched after nitrate addition. Linear regression analysis showed that aromatic-ring cleavage functional microbes exhibited significant negative correlation with aromatic humic substances (p < 0.05). Furthermore, network analysis indicated that most of microbial communities prefer cooperative with aromatic-ring cleavage functional microbes. Structural equation model further revealed that composting microenvironment drove aromatic-ring cleavage functional microbes activities, resulting in the biodegradation of complex aromatic compounds. This study parsed the effect of a negative factor on aromatic compounds humic substances from an opposing perspective. Properly controlling nitrate concentration and aromatic-ring cleavage functional microbes involved in precursors cleavage was suggested to the practice of composting.

Health Beneficial Effects of Moomiaii in Traditional Medicine

Traditional medicine (TM) that developed over the years within various societies consists of medical experimental knowledge and practices, which apply natural methods and compounds for general wellness and healing. Moomiaii as a pale-brown to blackish-brown natural exudate is one of the natural compounds in traditional medicine that has been used over 3000 years in many countries of the world especially in India, China, Russia, Iran, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Kirgizstan. We reviewed all English-language studies about Moomiaii that we accessed them. In traditional medicine, many beneficial activities have been attributed to Moomiaii and to its main constituents, Humic acid and Fulvic acid, which are widely used to prevent and treatment of different diseases. Some modern scientific investigations showed that Moomiaii as a safe dietary supplement can be beneficial in various health complications. Even though the beneficial effects of Moomiaii have been confirmed in traditional and modern medicine, it seems that additional in-vitro/in-vivo studies and comprehensive clinical trials are necessary to explain the whole mechanisms of action and to determine the effective doses in various diseases. We discuss and clarify the claimed health beneficial effects of Moomiaii in some wide-spread diseases regarding its anti-ulcerogenic, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, antioxidative and anticancer properties.

Humic substances developed during organic waste composting: Formation mechanisms, structural properties, and agronomic functions

Aerobic composting is a typical biochemical process of stabilization and harmlessness of organic wastes during which organic matter degrades, and then aggregates, to produce humic substances (HSs). HSs are a core product of-and a crucial indicator of-the maturation of compost that can be used in soil amendments. The formation of HSs is affected by the characteristics of the raw materials involved, the presence of compost additives, microbial activity, temperature, pH, the C/N ratio, moisture content, oxygen content and particle size, all of which can interact with each other. The formation of HSs is therefore complex. Moreover, it is difficult to identify definitive structures of humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs), which are the two major components of HSs. However, HSs represent the same functional groups and structural arrangements, which helps to predict their structures. Functional groups represented by phenol and carboxylic acid groups of HAs and FAs can provide various agronomic functions, such as plant growth enhancement, water and nutrient retention, and disease suppression capacity. Overall, HSs can act as a soil amendment, fertilizer, and plant growth regulator. These functions of HSs enhance the reuse potential of organic waste compost products; however, this requires scientific control of various composting parameters and appropriate application of final products.

Selenium Analysis and Speciation in Dietary Supplements Based on Next-Generation Selenium Ingredients

Selenium is essential for humans and the deficit of Se requires supplementation. In addition to traditional forms such as Se salts, amino acids, or selenium-enriched yeast supplements, next-generation selenium supplements, with lower risk for excess supplementation, are emerging. These are based on selenium forms with lower toxicity, higher bioavailability, and controlled release, such as zerovalent selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and selenized polysaccharides (SPs). This article aims to focus on the existing analytical systems for the next-generation Se dietary supplement, providing, at the same time, an overview of the analytical methods available for the traditional forms. The next-generation dietary supplements are evaluated in comparison with the conventional/traditional ones, as well as the analysis and speciation methods that are suitable to reveal which Se forms and species are present in a dietary supplement. Knowledge gaps and further research potential in this field are highlighted. The review indicates that the methods of analysis of next-generation selenium supplements should include a step related to chemical species separation. Such a step would allow a proper characterization of the selenium forms/species, including molecular mass/dimension, and substantiates the marketing claims related to the main advantages of these new selenium ingredients.

The protective effect of humic-rich substances on atypical Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida infection in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

When challenged with atypical Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, exposure of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to different humic-rich compounds resulted in a significant reduction in infection rates. Specifically, in fish exposed to (i) humic-rich water and sludge from a recirculating system, (ii) a synthetic humic acid, and (iii) a Leonardite-derived humic-rich extract, infection rates were reduced to 14.9%, 17.0% and 18.8%, respectively, as compared to a 46.8% infection rate in the control treatment. An additional set of experiments was performed to examine the effect of humic-rich components on the growth of the bacterial pathogen. Liquid culture medium supplemented with either humic-rich water from the recirculating system, the synthetic humic acid or the Leonardite humic-rich extract resulted in a growth reduction of 41.1%, 45.2% and 61.6%, respectively, as compared to the growth of the Aeromonas strain in medium devoid of humic substances. Finally, in a third set of experiments it was found that while the innate immune system of the carps was not affected by their exposure to humic-rich substances, their acquired immune system was affected. Fish, immunized against bovine serum albumin, displayed elevated antibody titres as compared to immunized carps which were not exposed to the various sources of humic substances.

Addition of Selenium Improves Immunomodulative Effects of Glucan

Background:

Selenium (Se) is an established essential nutrient that plays a role in various biological processes including cancer development. Similarly, stimulation of immune reactions by β-glucans is well-documented.

Aims:

In the current study, we focused on the stimulation of phagocytosis and interleukin (IL)-2 production and on potentiation of anticancer immunity by a combination of glucan with two types of Se.

Materials and Methods:

Phagocytosis was evaluated using synthetic microspheres; cancer development was measured either using breast cancer cells or using lung cancer cells.

Results:

Using two different murine models of cancer, we showed that the Se/glucan combination strongly suppressed the growth of cancer, mostly probably via stimulation of immunity.

Conclusions:

A combination of glucan with Se offers superior stimulation of immunity and inhibition of cancer growth.

Prophylactic effects of humic acid-glucan combination against experimental liver injury

Aim:

Despite intensive research, liver diseases represent a significant health problem and current medicine does not offer a substance able to significantly inhibit the hepatotoxicity leading to various stages of liver disease. Based on our previously published studies showing the protective effects of a glucan-humic acid (HA) combination, we focused on the hypothesis that the combination of these two natural molecules can offer prophylactic protection against experimentally induced hepatotoxicity.

Materials and Methods:

Lipopolysaccharide, carbon tetrachloride, and ethanol were used to experimentally damage the liver. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde, known to correspond to the liver damage, were assayed.

Results:

Using three different hepatotoxins, we found that in all cases, some samples of HA and most of all the glucan-HA combination, offer strong protection against liver damage.

Conclusion:

Glucan-HA combination is a promising agent for use in liver protection.

Humic acid and glucan: protection against liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride

Humic acids (HAs) have a rather pleiotropic presence, however, their biological effects are still unclear. In this study, we focused on possible hepatoprotective effects of either HA alone or in combination with β-glucan. Using a model of experimental hepatotoxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4), we showed that both HA and the glucan-HA combination offered significant protection against hepatotoxicity, with the combination offering superior effects. Our biochemical observations were confirmed by histological evaluation. Based on the experimental data, we conclude that whereas HA has significant effects, the synergy with glucan offers superior effects.

Anti-stress action of an orally-given combination of resveratrol, β-glucan, and vitamin C

Stress has repeatedly been found to reduce the abilities of the immune system to fight against individual attacks. The current dissatisfaction with classical medications has led to more attention being focused on natural molecules. As recent studies have suggested that some bioactive molecules can have synergistic effects in stimulation of immune system and reduction of stress, we have evaluated the stress-reducing effects of the resveratrol-β-glucan-vitamin C combination. We found that compared to its individual components, this combination was the strongest reducer of stress-related symptoms, including corticosterone levels and IL-6, IL-12 and IFN-γ production.

The relative abundance of oxygen alkyl-related groups in aliphatic domains is involved in the main pharmacological-pleiotropic effects of humic acids

Despite the rather common presence of humic acid (HA), our full knowledge of its biological effect is still lacking. In this article, we first performed a physicochemical characterization of several HAs, and next, we evaluated their ability to affect interleukin-2 secretion, antibody secretion, wound healing (an in vitro model using HaCaT cells), cancer growth (the Lewis lung carcinoma model), and protection against hepatotoxicity. In all tested reactions, HA showed significant stimulation on immune reactions, including suppression of cancer growth and inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatotoxicity. These effects were dependent on its chemical properties. The pleiotropic effects of HA observed in this article suggest the possible role of these compounds in human nutrition.

Glucan–resveratrol–vitamin C combination offers protection against toxic agents

Biological immunomodulators are routinely evaluated as a natural source of molecules with profound effects on the immune system. They belong to a group of physiologically active compounds, collectively termed biological response modifiers. Most of the studies were focused on immune system stimulation. Recently, they have become the focus of studies seeking molecules that are able to overcome negative effects of various immunotoxins. This paper concentrates on the effects of a glucan/resveratrol/vitamin C combination on immunosuppressive effects of mercury and perfluorinated hydrocarbons. Effects described in this review have strong clinical potential, as environmental contaminants have adverse effects on all aspects of the immune system and represent a serious threat to the health of both humans and animals.

Immune enhancing effects of WB365, a novel combination of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa) extracts

BACKGROUND

Stress has been found to significantly reduce the abilities of the immune system to fight infections. One of the ways to overcome the defects of the immune system is the strengthening of the defense reactions by nutrition.

AIMS

TO EVALUATE IMMUNE ENHANCING EFFECTS OF THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL: WB365, a novel combination of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa) extracts.

RESULTS

We found that both glucan-rich maitake extract and WB365 caused a similar stimulation of phagocytic activity. Stress-induced increase of corticosterone production was blocked by feeding with Ashwagandha extract and even more by WB365. Cytokine experiments showed that feeding with WB365 helped overcome the stress-related inhibition of IL-6, IL-12 and IFN-γ production.

CONCLUSION

This study clearly demonstrated that WB365, a combination of Maitake mushroom-derived glucan and Ashwagandha extracts, has strong pleiotropic biological effects related to immune health and stress reduction.

Comparison of immunological properties of various bioactive combinations

BACKGROUND

Lately, more and more preparation of various cocktails or mixtures of bioactive modulators have been introduced. Their true activity is, however, rarely tested.

AIM

To compare six commercially available, glucan-based immunostimulators.

METHODS

Immunological effects of tested combinations were measured by evaluation of phagocytosis of synthetic particles by peripheral blood neutrophils, production of IL-2 by mouse splenocytes, production of superoxide anion and nitrite oxide, antibody response to imunization with ovalbumin, and NK cell activity.

RESULTS

Our results showed that with the exception of the highest doses (phagocytosis) and superoxide anion and nitrite oxide production, only RVB 300 showed significant immunostimulative activity.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, we can conclude that most of the tested natural immunomodulators have limited, if any, biological effects. Only RVB 300 significantly stimulated all six tested immunological reactions.