In vivo anti-influenza virus activity of an immunomodulatory acidic polysaccharide isolated from Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybeans

Yuko Ohta, Jung Bum Lee, Kyoko Hayashi, Akio Fujita, Ki Park Dong, Toshimitsu Hayashi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

167 Scopus citations

Abstract

An acidic polysaccharide (APS) was isolated from the extract of Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated soybeans. Analyses of sugar composition indicated that APS consisted of D-galactose, L-arabinose, D-xylose, L-rhamnose, and D-galacturonic acid. On the basis of the result of methylation analysis, APS was considered to be mainly composed of Araf-(1→, →5)-Araf-(1→, →4)-Galp-(1→ and →4)-GalAp-(1→ residues. When the polysaccharide was intranasally administered, it decreased virus titers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the lung of mice infected with influenza A virus and increased survival rate. Furthermore, APS increased TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in mice when compared with those of untreated mice. APS enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production and induced iNOS mRNA and protein expressions in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. The induction of mRNA expression of cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α was also observed. These results demonstrated that APS might have beneficial therapeutic effects on influenza A virus infection at least in part by modulation of the immune function of macrophages.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10194-10199
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume55
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007/12/12

Keywords

  • Anti-influenza virus activity
  • Cordyceps militaris
  • Macrophage
  • Polysaccharide
  • Soybean

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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