Anti-infectious and Anti-tumor Activities of β-glucans.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to directly compare the anti-infectious and anti-cancer effects of five commercially available glucans.

Materials And Methods: We used five different glucans isolated from algae, yeast, bacteria, oat, and mushroom. We compared their effects on the stimulation of phagocytosis of blood cells, on the secretion of IL-2, and on the inhibition of melanoma and breast and lung cancers.

Combination Therapy with Glucan and Coenzyme Q in Murine Experimental Autoimmune Disease and Cancer.

Background/aim: Coenzyme Q is a well-accepted anti-oxidant agent known to play a protective role in various physiological and disease processes. Recently, Coenzyme Q is gaining attention as a substance with significant anti-inflammatory properties. β-Glucan is the most studied immunomodulator with significant synergetic effects with numerous bioactive molecules.

Glucans and Cancer: Comparison of Commercially Available β-glucans - Part IV.

Background/aim: β-Glucans are well-established immunomodulators with strong effects across all immune reactions. Due to the extensive amount of studies, glucans are steadily progressing from a non-specific immunomodulator to a licensed drug. However, direct comparisons of higher numbers of different glucans are rare.

Fucoidans Stimulate Immune Reaction and Suppress Cancer Growth.

Background/aim: Fucoidans are gaining popularity as natural immunomodulators. The aim of this study was to compare the immunological activities or both purified samples and commercially available mixtures containing fucoidan.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated the effects of various samples on phagocytosis, mitogenic response, natural killer (NK) activity, antibody formation and inhibition of breast cancer growth.

Effects of curcumin on infection.

Background: Curcumin is a well-established natural molecule with significant biological and pharmaceutical effects. Its effects on () infection have been repeatedly confirmed both in animal and human models. This study directly compared five different samples to evaluate if the effects are general or if they differ among samples.

Essential Oils from Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Chemical Composition and Biological Effects in Mouse Model.

Thymus species are popular spices and contain volatile oils as main chemical constituents. Recently, plant-derived essential oils are gaining significant attention due to their significant biological activities. Seven different thymus-derived essential oils were compared in our study.

Addition of Selenium Improves Immunomodulative Effects of Glucan.

Background: Selenium (Se) is an established essential nutrient that plays a role in various biological processes including cancer development. Similarly, stimulation of immune reactions by β-glucans is well-documented.

Aims: In the current study, we focused on the stimulation of phagocytosis and interleukin (IL)-2 production and on potentiation of anticancer immunity by a combination of glucan with two types of Se.

Glucan Supplementation Has Strong Anti-melanoma Effects: Role of NK Cells.

β-Glucan is a natural immunomodulator consisting of glucose molecules. It is a well-established modifier with significant beneficial properties in infectious diseases and cancer therapy. Glucan effects on melanoma are relatively less studied, despite the increasing incidence of this type of cancer.

Glucan supplementation enhances the immune response against an influenza challenge in mice.

Background: The strong immunostimulating potential of β-glucans has been well established in numerous diseases. However, the effects on viral infection were less studied.

Methods: In our study, we focused on possible effects of a special combined glucan formulation on immunosuppression caused by influenza infection.

Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts.

Background: The role of glucan in stimulation of immune reactions has been studied for several decades. In this report, we focused on the effects of orally administered glucan Maitake and Shiitake on immune reactions.

Materials And Methods: We measured phagocytosis, NK cell activity, and secretion of IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) after 14 days of oral application of tested glucans.

Anti-stress action of an orally-given combination of resveratrol, β-glucan, and vitamin C.

Stress has repeatedly been found to reduce the abilities of the immune system to fight against individual attacks. The current dissatisfaction with classical medications has led to more attention being focused on natural molecules. As recent studies have suggested that some bioactive molecules can have synergistic effects in stimulation of immune system and reduction of stress, we have evaluated the stress-reducing effects of the resveratrol-β-glucan-vitamin C combination.

Natural immunomodulators and their stimulation of immune reaction: true or false?

Natural immunomodulators are getting more and more popular. The popularity, however, often brings over-optimistic claims and mediocre effects. The purpose of the present study was to directly compare eleven most commonly used immunomodulators.

Glucan–resveratrol–vitamin C combination offers protection against toxic agents.

Biological immunomodulators are routinely evaluated as a natural source of molecules with profound effects on the immune system. They belong to a group of physiologically active compounds, collectively termed biological response modifiers. Most of the studies were focused on immune system stimulation.

Comparison of immunological properties of various bioactive combinations.

Background: Lately, more and more preparation of various cocktails or mixtures of bioactive modulators have been introduced. Their true activity is, however, rarely tested.

Aim: To compare six commercially available, glucan-based immunostimulators.

Immune enhancing effects of WB365, a novel combination of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa) extracts.

Background: Stress has been found to significantly reduce the abilities of the immune system to fight infections. One of the ways to overcome the defects of the immune system is the strengthening of the defense reactions by nutrition.

Aims: TO EVALUATE IMMUNE ENHANCING EFFECTS OF THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL: WB365, a novel combination of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa) extracts.

Combination of glucan, resveratrol and vitamin C demonstrates strong anti-tumor potential.

β-Glucans are naturally occurring carbohydrates found in plants, fungi and some bacterial species, and currently are well-established and powerful immunomodulators with beneficial properties in cancer therapy. Recent studies suggested that some additional bioactive molecules have synergistic effects when combined with glucan. In the current study, we evaluated the anticancer properties of glucan, resveratrol, vitamin C combination.

Procathepsin D and cancer: From molecular biology to clinical applications.

Procathepsin D (pCD) is overexpressed and secreted by cells of various tumor types including breast and lung carcinomas. pCD affects multiple features of tumor cells including proliferation, invasion, metastases and apoptosis. Several laboratories have previously shown that the mitogenic effect of pCD on cancer cells is mediated via its propeptide part (APpCD).

Procathepsin D and cytokines influence the proliferation of lung cancer cells.

Enzymatically inactive procathepsin D (pCD) has been established as an important factor in the development of lung cancer. In addition to serving as a growth factor, pCD is also involved in communication between cancer cells and surrounding cells. In the present investigation, a possible combination of autocrine and paracrine actions of pCD was investigated.

Effects of glucan on immunosuppressive actions of mercury.

Global cycling of mercury results in the presence of mercury salts in the environment. The well-established negative effects of mercury on the immune system led us to the study whether natural immunomodulator glucan can overcome the immunosuppressive effects of mercury. Two types of mercury, thimerosal and mercury acetate, were administered in a dose of 2-8 mg/L of drinking water to mice.

Beta-glucan-indomethacin combination produces no lethal effects.

Background: The most important quality of beta-glucans and the reason why so much attention has been devoted to them are their physiological effects. They are typical biological response modifiers with pronounced immunomodulating activity. However, some questions about possible side effects remain.

Effects of yeast-derived beta-glucans on blood cholesterol and macrophage functionality.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of two different yeast-derived beta-glucans on macrophage functionality and blood cholesterol levels in mice. After establishing their ability to act as a strong stimulator of macrophages, we measured the capacities of the glucans to lower blood cholesterol. Our results showed that consumption of diets containing yeast-derived beta-glucan indicated a dose-dependent decrease in plasma cholesterol levels, with Betamune having a significantly stronger effect than WGP (Whole Glucan Particles).

Immunological effects of yeast- and mushroom-derived beta-glucans.

Glucans have a long history as nonspecific biological modulators. We compared the effects of three different glucans on immune reactions. Using two different administrations (intraperitoneal and oral) and two different animal models, we showed that yeast-derived Betamune (Biorigin, São Paulo, Brazil) caused significant stimulation of phagocytic activity as well as potentiation of synthesis and release of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Physiological effects of different types of beta-glucan.

Background: Numerous types of glucans have been isolated from almost every species of yeast, grain, and fungi. These products have been extensively studied for their immunological and pharmacological effects.

Aim: In this paper we evaluated the possibility whether individual glucans will be similarly active against each of the tested biological properties or if each glucan will affect different reactions.

Glucan and resveratrol complex--possible synergistic effects on immune system.

Background: Recent data showing that glucan elicited defense responses in grapevine and induced protection via induction of resveratrol production led us to evaluate the possible synergetic effects of glucan and resveratrol complex on immune reactions.

Methods: We measured phagocytosis using HEMA particles, expression of cell surface markers via fl ow cytometry, expression of cytokines using ELISA, recovery after fluorouracil-induced leucopenia and effects on gene expression via RT-PCR.

Results: Our results showed that both glucan and resveratrol complex stimulated phagocytosis of blood leukocytes, caused increase in surface expression of CD(+) splenocytes and showed higher restoration of spleen recovery after experimentally induced leucopenia.

Enhancing effects of new biological response modifier beta-1,3 glucan sulfate PS3 on immune reactions.

Glucans have a long history as non-specific biological modulators; however, but the search for optimal chemical configuration is still on. The objective of this study was to evaluate intraperitoneal application of PS3, a sulfated derivative of a (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan isolated from sporophytes of Laminaria digitata. PS3 showed significant stimulation of phagocytic activity as well as potentiation of synthesis and release of IL-2 by splenocytes.