Immunomodulatory activities of Ganoderma sinense polysaccharides in human immune cells

Medicinal mushrooms have been traditionally used as food nutrient supplements in China for thousands of years. The present study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory activities of Ganoderma sinense (GS), an allied species of G. lucidum, using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Our results showed that the polysaccharide-enriched fraction of GS hot water extract (400 μg/ml) exhibited significant stimulatory effects on PBMC proliferation. When the fruiting bodies of GS were divided into pileus and stipe parts and were separately extracted, the GS stipe polysaccharide-enriched fraction (50-400 μg/ml) showed concentration-dependent immunostimulating effects in PBMC. The productions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-10, and transforming growth factor -β were significantly enhanced by this fraction. In addition, the proportion of CD14+ monocyte subpopulation within the PBMC was specifically increased. The IL-10 and IL-12 productions in monocyte-derived dendritic cells were significantly enhanced by GS stipe fraction. The composition of monosaccharides of this fraction was determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. Our study demonstrated for the first time the immunostimulatory effects of GS stipe polysaccharide-enriched fraction on PBMC and dendritic cells. The findings revealed the potential use of GS (especially including the stipes of fruiting bodies) as adjuvant nutrient supplements for patients, who are receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapies.