| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Agaricus blazei </it>Murill (AbM) is an edible Brazilian mushroom that has been used in traditional medicine for a range of diseases. It has been shown to have anti-infection and anti-tumor properties in the mouse, which are due to induction of Th1 responses. On the other hand, IgE-mediated allergy is induced by a Th2 response.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Since according to the Th1/Th2 paradigm an increased Th1 response may promote a reduced Th2 response, the aim was to examine whether AbM had anti-allergy effects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A mouse model for allergy was employed, in which the mice were immunized s.c. with the model allergen ovalbumin (OVA). Additionally, the animals were given a mushroom extract, AndoSan™, mainly (82%) containing AbM, but also <it>Hericium erinaceum </it>(15%) and <it>Grifola frondosa </it>(3%), or PBS p.o. either a day before or 19 days after the immunization. The mice were sacrificed on day 26, and anti-OVA IgE (Th2 response) and IgG2a (Th1 response) antibodies were examined in serum and Th1, Th2 and Treg cytokines in spleen cells cultures.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>It was found that the AndoSan™ extract both when given either before or after OVA immunization reduced the levels of anti-OVA IgE, but not IgG2a, in the mice. There was a tendency to reduced Th2 relative to Th1 cytokine levels in the AndoSan™ groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This particular AbM extract may both prevent allergy development and be used as a therapeutical substance against established allergy.</p>
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