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Medicinal Mushrooms
Published in Anil K. Sharma, Raj K. Keservani, Surya Prakash Gautam, Herbal Product Development, 2020
Temitope A. Oyedepo, Adetoun E. Morakinyo
β-glucans in fungi primarily usually have (1 → 6)-linked branches coming off the β(1 → 3) backbone. There are other structures that also contain (1 → 3)-β and (1 → 6)-β linkages. The structural complexity of β-glucans in fungi also varies and is considered a primary determinant of activity (Volman et al., 2010b). This is the main accepted theory of why some basidiomycetes are more active than others and why basidiomycete β-glucans are more immunologically active than cereal β-glucans (Chan et al., 2009). The biological activities of medicinal mushrooms have been attributed to the (1 → 3)-β-glucan or a mixture of (1 → 3) and (1 → 6)- β-glucan. (1 → 3)-β-glucan is reported to have the best effect on immune stimulation (Rop et al., 2009).
Nutraceutical Bioactives
Published in Raj K. Keservani, Anil K. Sharma, Rajesh K. Kesharwani, Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements, 2020
Andrew G. Mtewa, Kennedy J. Ngwira, Stephen Lutoti, Davies Mweta, Patrick E. Ogwang, Duncan C. Sesaazi
Thiols and sulfides found largely in vegetables are important in maintaining an immune system (Khan et al., 2014). β-Glucan was reported to be an effective reducer of cholesterol in the body and also active against colon cancers when available in a soluble form (Radhika et al., 2011). Tocotrienol was reported to be functioning as an antioxidant and also has anticancer properties.
Genetic Control of Endotoxin Responsiveness: The Lps Gene Revisited
Published in Helmut Brade, Steven M. Opal, Stefanie N. Vogel, David C. Morrison, Endotoxin in Health and Disease, 2020
Stefanie N. Vogel, Nayantara Bhat, Danielle Malo, Salman T. Qureshi
In a study carried out by Gallin et al. (42), the actions of soluble and particulate glucan (β-1,2-d-polyglucose) preparations derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were compared in C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ resident peritoneal macrophages. Macrophages possess (β-1,3-glucan receptors and are one of the primary targets for glucan. Both particulate and soluble glucan preparations were found to contain <1 ng LPS/10 mg glucan as assessed in a Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Although both particulate and soluble glucans inhibited the ability of macrophages from both strains to ingest zymosan, only particulate glucan inhibited uptake of IgG opsonized erythrocytes and latex beads. Particulate glucan was also as effective as zymosan as an inducer of superoxide and IL-1 release in macrophages derived from C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeN macrophages. In contrast, soluble glucan was effective at enhancing PMA-induced superoxide or IL-1 in C3H/HeN, but not in C3H/HeJ macrophages. The authors concluded that while C3H/HeJ macrophages exhibit normal responsiveness to particulate glucan, they are hyporesponsive to soluble glucan. Although glucans derived from S. cerevisiae have been recognized for decades as potent immunomodulators, the molecular mechanisms for their actions have not been well delineated. However, many of glucan’s actions on the reticuloendothelial system are highly reminiscent of those elicited by LPS, and it is possible that soluble glucan stimulates an intracellular signaling pathway shared by LPS that is defective in C3H/HeJ macrophages.
Carbohydrate-containing nanoparticles as vaccine adjuvants
Published in Expert Review of Vaccines, 2021
Xinyuan Zhang, Zhigang Zhang, Ningshao Xia, Qinjian Zhao
β-glucan is another natural polysaccharide with immunostimulatory properties [45]. NPs containing β-glucan could be prepared through different methods. The prepared NPs have shown great potential in antigen delivery and enhancement of the immune response [46,47]. β-glucan can be found in plants, fungi, and bacteria. β-glucans in different species vary in chain length as well as distribution [5]. β-1,3-D-glucan (referred to as ‘β-glucan’ from this point on), which mainly exists in fungi, is in a triple helix structure and is reported to be able to modulate the immune response [46,48]. β-glucan can interact with pattern recognition receptors on the immune cell surface. Dectin-1 of the C-type lectin receptor family is the main receptor that recognizes β-glucan (especially particulate β-glucan) [16,49]. The ligand-binding signal results in Th1 and Th17 cytokine and chemokine production, which consequently enhances the immune response [19,50]. β-glucan-containing NPs can target APCs due to the interaction between β-glucan and pattern recognition receptors. Thus, β-glucan-containing NPs have great advantages in antigen delivery. Moreover, cytokine production induced by β-glucan-containing NPs could enhance the level of the immune response.
Effects of β-glucan and Vitamin D Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy
Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2019
Josef Richter, Martina Závorková, Vaclav Vetvicka, Ivana Liehneová, Vlastimil Kral, Lucie Rajnohova Dobiasova
We reviewed 52 patients and divided them into three groups: (1) Group A consisted of patients supplemented with beta-beta-glucan and vitamin D; (2) Group B consisted of patients supplemented with vitamin D and placebo; and (3) Group C consisted of patients supplemented with vitamin D only. Of these 52 patients, 30 were male, ranging in age from 49 to 76 years (average 64.5 years), and 22 were female, ranging in age from 48 to 87 years (average 67.3 years). Individual groups of DR patients were supplemented for three months (one dose per day), in addition to normal treatment. The beta-glucan dose was 500 mg/day; the placebo consisted of pills in the same design, shape, and color. By this division, we aimed not only to observe whether beta-glucan can increase the effects of vitamin D, but also to eliminate the potential effects of placebo. The tests were performed at the beginning and the end of the experiment.
Yeast-inspired drug delivery: biotechnology meets bioengineering and synthetic biology
Published in Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 2019
Chinnu Sabu, Panakkal Mufeedha, Kannissery Pramod
Glucan particles are hollow microspheres prepared from baker’s yeast. By series of acid and alkali treatment, the contents of the cell can be completely removed. The glucan content of the cell wall favors receptor-mediated uptake by macrophages and dendritic cells. The property of glucan particle to target the immune system makes the glucan particle an attractive drug delivery vehicle. The hollow and porous nature of the glucan particles makes it as an excellent encapsulation element for the transport, delivery, and release of electrostatically bound particles. Macromolecules like DNA, siRNA, and protein can be encapsulated in glucan particle by a layer by layer approach resulting in the formation of polyplexes. The polyplexes protect the drug until it is released into the cell [49].