• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.345-351
• /
• 2009

The $\beta$-glucans derived from yeast cell walls have been reported for having many immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, Aureobasidium-derived soluble branched (1,3-1,6) $\beta$-glucan (Sophy $\beta$-glucan) was checked for natural killer (NK) activity and for the production of IFN-$\gamma$ and IL-4 in Leishmania amazonensis infection. The main experiment was performed with a group of female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, orally supplemented with 5% of Sophy $\beta$-glucan and infected with promastogotes of L. amazonensis ($1\;{\times}\;10^7$) into the footpad. Increase in the footpad thickness with time was observed in BALB/c mice in spite of the oral Sophy $\beta$-glucan supplement, but it was less in C57BL/6 mice. The difference in overall mean footpad thickness between 'infection only' versus 'infection + glucan' groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). High NK activity in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice was observed in 'glucan only' group compared to the control group and also in 'infection + glucan' group compared to 'infection only' group. The difference in the NK activity among these groups was significant (P < 0.05). The IFN-$\gamma$ level increased at weeks 7 and 8 post-infection in C57BL/6 mice and was significantly high in 'infection + glucan' group compared to the 'infection only' group (P < 0.05). IL-4 levels did not increase up to detectable levels throughout the study. The results led a conclusion that Sophy $\beta$-glucan enhances NK activity and cellular immunity in L. amazonensis-infected mice.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.141-146
• /
• 2010

Cisplatin(cis-diamminedichloroplatium) is one of the most effective anti-cancer drugs being clinically used in the treatment of solid tumors. Despite its therapeutic benefits, its use in clinical practice is often limited because of dose related toxicity. It is known that yeast cell wall beta-glucans possess immuno-modulating properties, which allows for their application in antitumor therapy. IS2 is a kind of beta-glucan derived from the cell wall of mutated Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which exhibits anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo. The present study explored the possibility of combination therapy of IS2 with cisplatin. In experimental metastasis of colon26-M3.1 cells, prophylactic intravenous administration of IS-2 in combination with cisplatin effectively inhibited tumor metastasis compared with cisplatin alone or IS-2 treatment in vivo. IS-2 effectively enhanced Th1 type cytokines including IFN-$\gamma$, IL-2, IL-12 and GM-CSF. Simultaneously, this combined treatment inhibited production of Th2 type cytokines compared with control. These results suggested that IS-2 can be applied in combination therapy with anti-cancer drugs to minimize their side effects.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.95-108
• /
• 2021

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the beta-glucan, ginsenoside content, antioxidant activity and safety of modified Kyungohkgo added to Sparassis crispa and Hericium erinaceum. Methods The marker compounds contents, antioxidant activity and safety of modified Kyungohkgo were tested. The contents of beta-glucan and ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3 marker compounds were measured, the antioxidant activity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, and a safety test was conducted via single dose toxicity assessment. Results Analyzing the contents of marker compounds showed 351.75 mg/g of beta-glucan, 0.0327 mg/g of ginsenoside Rb1 and 0.0802 mg/g of ginsenosai Rg3. In the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, the inhibition concentration 50% of modified Kyungohkgo was 0.2880%. The scavenging activity of modified Kyungohkgo was 5.49% activity at 0.05% concentration, 89.66% activity at 0.5% concentration, 94.68% activity at 1% concentration, and 96.06% activity at 5% concentration. In the single dose toxicity test of modified Kyungohkgo, a dose of 2,000 mg/kg B.W. was set at its highest capacity and observed after oral administration to female and male rats. No toxicological findings were recognized. It was observed that the resulting lethal dose can be set to 2,000 mg/kg B.W. or higher for both females and males. Conclusions The results of the experiment on modified Kyungohkgo showed that the marker compounds contents were beta-glucan and ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg3, that antioxidant activity was observed through the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and safety was confirmed through the single dose toxicity assessment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2022

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the beta-glucan & ginsenoside content, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effect and safety of herbal medicine mix. Methods The marker compounds contents, antioxidant activity and safety of herbal medicine mix were tested. The contents of beta-glucan and ginsenoside Rg3 were measured, the antioxidant activity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, anti-inflammatory and a safety test was conducted via single dose toxicity assessment. Results Analyzing the contents of marker compounds showed 362.3 mg/g of beta-glucan, and 0.4184 mg/g of ginsenoside Rg3. In the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, the IC50 of herbal medicine mix, was 0.146%. The scavenging activity of herbal medicine mix was 88.28% activity at 0.5% concentration, and 90.61% activity at 5% concentration. In the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) anti-inflammatory test, the herbal remix showed a significant decrease in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-𝛼) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) compared to the LPS-induced group. In the single dose toxicity test of herbal medicine mix, a dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight (BW) was set at its highest capacity and observed after oral administration to female and male rats. No toxicological findings were recognized. It was observed that the resulting lethal dose can be set to 2,000 mg/kg BW or higher for both females and males. Conclusions The results of the experiment on herbal medicine mix showed that the marker compounds contents were beta-glucan and ginsenoside Rg3, that antioxidant activity was observed through the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, anti-inflammatory effect was observed through TNF-𝛼 and IL-6 measurement, and safety was confirmed through the single dose toxicity assessment.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.12
• /
• pp.1316-1324
• /
• 2014

Most beta-glucans obtained from various fruit bodies of mushrooms and mushroom mycelial cultures have high-molecular weight glycoproteins, conjugated with beta-glucans. We report that isoflavone-conjugated glycolproteins (designated as gluvone) were isolated and exhibited stronger anticarcinogenic activities. Agaricus blazei mycelia (ABM) was cultured in a liquid medium containing soybean flakes for 14 days. The liquid culture was autolyzed by incubating at $53^{\circ}C$ (pH 5.5) for 3 h. A crude glycoprotein (CGP) fraction with a cytotoxic effect on a mouse ascite cancer cell line (S-180) and a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was isolated from the autolyzed ABM cultures by 80% ethanol treatment. Gluvone was isolated from the CGP with Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. It exhibited a stronger anticancer effect than CGP against the S-180 cell-induced female ICR mouse ascites carcinogenesis. Gluvone with 9,400 daltons was identified as a glycoprotein conjugated with isoflavone. According to HPLC and GC analysis, in conjunction with $^1H$-NMR spectral analysis, it contained 60% carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, and ribose), 31% protein, and 2% isoflavone (daidzein and genistein), which is a novel material. These results indicate that a strong anticarcinogenic gluvone was isolated from the autolyzed product of a submerged liquid culture of ABM, suggesting that autolysis could be a useful tool to produce antitumor agents.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.590-597
• /
• 2000

The rheological properties of ${\beta}-glucans$ isolated from non-waxy and waxy barley were investigated. ${\beta}-Glucan$ solutions showed pseudoplastic properties and their behaviors were explained by applying Power law model in the range of concentrations$(1{\sim}4%)$ and temperatures$(20{\sim}65^{\circ}C)$. The effects of temperature and concentration on the apparent viscosity at $700\;s^{-1}$ shear rate were examined by applying Arrhenius equation and power law equation, and their effect was more pronounced in waxy ${\beta}-glucan$ solutions. The activation energy for flow of ${\beta}-glucan$ solutions decreased with the increase of concentration, and the concentration-dependent constant A increased with the increase of temperature. The intrinsic viscosity of waxy ${\beta}-glucan$ was higher than that of non-waxy ${\beta}-glucan$. The transition from dilute to concentrate region occurred at a critical coil overlap parameter $C^*[{\eta}]=0.02.$ The slopes of non-waxy and waxy ${\beta}-glucan$ at $C[{\eta}] were similar, but the slope of waxy ${\beta}-glucan$ at $C[{\eta}]>C^*[{\eta}]$ was higher than that of non-waxy ${\beta}-glucan$. Dynamic viscoelasticity measurement showed that cross-over happened, and storage modulus was higher than loss modulus at frequency range above cross-over. ${\beta}-Glucan$ solutions formed weak gels after stored for 24 hr.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.27 no.1 s.88
• /
• pp.76-81
• /
• 1999

Exo-polysaccharide obtained from the submerged cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum mycelium was fractionated. The structural analysis of the acidic exo-polysaccharide fraction (BWS-DA-GI), showing high antitumor activity, was carried out and compared to the mycelial acidic fraction (MWS-DA-GI). The major sugar constituents of the fraction of BWS-DA-GI were glucose, galactose and mannose in the molar ratio of 2.5 : 2.1 : 2.5. The minor components in this fraction were xylose and fucose. While the major sugar constituents of the mycelial acidic fraction of MWS-DA-GI were galactose, fucose, mannose and glucose. The trace components in this fraction was xylose. From the results of periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, affinity chromatography and methylation analysis, the chemical structures of the two fractions, BWS-DA-GI and MWS-DA-GI were both determined as ${\beta}-1,3$ glucans. It was also estimated that BWS-DA-GI had a $1{\rightarrow}6$ glucosidic linkage and MWS DA-GI had $1{\rightarrow}4$ and $1{\rightarrow}6$ glucosidic linkages. The molecular weights of these fractions, MWS-DA-GI and MWSDA-GI were estimated as $1.2{\times}10^6\;and\;1.0{\times}10^6$ dalton, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.395-404
• /
• 2019

Objective: Wheat bran (WB) and rice bran (RB) are the agricultural by-products used as poultry feed in many developing countries. However, their use for poultry feed is limited due to high fiber and the presence of anti-nutritional substances (e.g. ${\beta}-glucans$). The objective of this study was to develop a method to improve the quality of those brans by reducing the fiber content. Methods: A two-step fermentation method was developed where the second fermentation of first fermented dry bran was carried out. Fermentation was performed at a controlled environment for 3 h and 6 h (n = 6). The composition of brans, buffer solution and rumen liquor was maintained in a ratio of 1:2:3, respectively. Brans were analyzed for dry matter, crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content. Celluloses and hemicelluloses were calculated from the difference of ADF-ADL and NDF-ADF, respectively. Samples were compared by two-factor analysis of variance followed by Tukey's multiple comparison tests (p<0.05). Results: CF %, ADF % and cellulose tended to decrease and NDF % and hemicellulose content was reduced significantly (p<0.05). After the 1st fermentation step, NDF decreased $10.7%{\pm}0.55%$ after 3 h vs $17.0%{\pm}0.78%$ after 6 h in case of WB. Whereas, these values were $2.3%{\pm}0.30%$ (3 h) and $7.5%{\pm}0.69%$ (6 h) in case of RB. However, after the 2nd fermentation step, the decrease in the NDF content amounted to $9.1%{\pm}0.72%$ (3 h), $17.4%{\pm}1.13%$ (6 h) and $9.3%{\pm}0.46%$ (3 h), $10.0%{\pm}0.68%$ (6 h) in WB and RB, respectively. Cellulose and hemicellulose content was reduced up to $15.6%{\pm}0.85%$ (WB), $15.8%{\pm}2.20%$ (RB) and $36.6%{\pm}2.42%$ (WB), $15.9%{\pm}3.53%$ (RB), respectively after 2nd fermentation of 6 h. Conclusion: Two-step fermentation process improved the quality of the brans for their use in poultry feed.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.85-95
• /
• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the physiological activities of the ethanol extract from Gymnopilus spectabilis mycelium (EGM) and of the supernatant obtained from fermentation broth (SGB). The contents of polysaccharides, phenol compounds and total ${\beta}-glucans$ of EGM were found to be 80.14%, 3.5 mg/ml and 5.91%, respectively and those for SGB were 78.68%, 3.32 mg/ml and 3.28%, respectively. Both EGM and SGB exhibited dose-dependent nitrate-scavenging abilities at pH 1.2. In addition, both EGM and SGB on the autoxidation rate of the linoleic acid demonstrated powerful antioxidant activities at 1 mg/ml level. With respect to fibrolytic activity, EGM showed 1,180 unit/g, which was the same activity as streptokinase, while SGB was 1,011 unit/g. The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition activity of EMG determined by both the normal and pretreatment methods were estimated to be 8.2% and 10.2%, respectively. However, SGB showed no corresponding activity. The growth inhibitory effects of EGM on AGS, A549, HeLa and NCTC cells were over 58.88%, respectively. And the growth inhibitory effects of the SGB on HeLa and NCTC cells were 44.92 and 76.76%, respectively. Also, EGM and SGB activated the components of the alternative complement pathway from 51 and 62% at the concentration of 100 mg/ml, The xanthine oxidase inhibition activities of EGM and SGB (1 mg/ml) were 9.53 and 16.92%, respectively.