Phytochemical screening and effects on cell-mediated immune response of Pleurotus fruiting bodies powder

This study examined the phytochemical profile and the effects of Pleurotus fruiting bodies powder on cell-mediated immune response in both in vivo and in vitro assays. Although carbohydrates (55%, w/w) appear to be the most important immunomodulatory compound, secondary metabolites (terpenoids, phenols and flavonoids) would also enhance immunity. Pleurotus powder was administered orally during 7 days to Balb/c mice (1000 mg/kg) and cyclophosphamide (CY; 100 mg/kg) was inoculated intraperitoneally at the beginning of the experiment. The delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction measured at 48 and 72 h after antigen challenge was similar to that of control mice and it was associated with an increase in the mass index of popliteal lymph nodes (p< 0.05). An in vitro lymphoproliferative-stimulating response was also demonstrated with aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from Pleurotus powder. These effects suggest that Pleurotus supplement could potentiate the cellular immune response and should be promising for further immunotherapy studies.     

The Present Status and the Recent Development of the Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Desirable Effect of Extracorporeal Immunomodulation

Abstract: The immunological and genetic pathogeneses of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been well elucidated in the recent years. The pharmacologic treatment of IBDs accordingly becomes to focus upon the individual pathologic step (targeting therapy), whereas the therapeutic action is not yet a pinpoint one. It has been known recently that new drugs such as biological immunomodulating agents and anti‐inflammatory cytokines have better short‐term effects in some respects than the conventional drugs, and they might alter the treatment strategy of IBDs in the near future. The limitation of pharmacologic treatments mainly results from adverse effects of the drugs, i.e. infection susceptibility, oncogenesis, teratogenesis and so forth. The extracorporeal therapy such as leukocytapheresis and photopheresis is reportedly effective for IBDs probably through immunomodulation such as decrease in circulating activated T‐lymphocytes and activated granulocytes that play a central role in the pathogenesis of IBD. It can be said that these extracorporeal treatment methods have advantage of rapid action and lack of serious adverse effects to drug therapy.     

Phytoadaptogen for Preventive Oncology: Immunobiological Criteria of Composition

A system of in vitro immunobiological tests is developed for screening of phytopreparations intended for the use as immunomodulators in oncology. Proliferative activity of human tumor cells decreased after treatment with complex phytoadaptogen. The immunomodulatory effect of this phytoadaptogen on immunocompetent cells of cancer patients and its nonspecific interferonogenic effect were detected. The composition of adaptogenic complex for preventive oncology is determined.     

药用真菌葡聚糖免疫调节作用的研究进展

药用真菌含有多种对人体有益的生理活性物质,具有多种药用功能,其中真菌多糖所具有的免疫调节作用倍受关注。该文在阐述真菌多糖分子结构与生物学活性关系的基础上,主要综述了葡聚糖在免疫调节中的作用机制及药用真菌多糖的免疫调节功能。     

高效液相色谱法测定新型免疫调节剂阿克他利及3种中间体含量

目的：建立阿克他利及中间体含量测定方法，为其质量研究提供依据。方法：应用甲醇－水溶液（水－冰醋酸－三乙胺，pH4.6)30:70为流动相，在ODS C18柱上洗脱，同时测定阿克他利及中间体对硝基苯乙腈，对硝基苯乙酸，对氨基苯乙酸含量。结果：阿克他利及3种中间体可以同时定量，方法简便，快速、准确。结论：该方法适合于阿克他利工艺研究及产品质量控制。     

Antiviral hyperactivation-limiting therapeutics as a novel class for the treatment of HIV/AIDS: focus on VS411

Introduction: Immune activation plays a central pathogenetic role in both HIV-1 replication and depletion of CD4⁺ T cells leading to disease progression and the onset of the AIDS. While current antiretroviral therapies suppress viral replication to undetectable levels, they do not normalize the excessive level of T-cell activation and proliferation. A new class of anti-HIV-1 drugs known as antiviral hyperactivation-limiting therapeutics (AV-HALTs) combines direct antiviral activity with an antiproliferative action to limit the hyperactivation of the immune system now recognized as the key driver of the progressive loss of CD4⁺ T cells that occurs over the natural course of the HIV-1 infection.

Areas covered: Areas covered include preclinical, Phase I and Phase IIa studies of VS411, the first drug product in a novel class of anti-HIV drugs, AV-HALT agents.

Expert opinion: The two drug combination VS411 safely achieved the goals established for the AV-HALT class based on the results of a Phase IIA proof-of-concept study. Additional work is underway to identify and develop new agents that combine the dual attributes of AV-HALTs, direct reduction of both HIV-1 viral load and markers of excessive immune activation, in a single molecule.     

Potential role for immunomodulatory therapy in atherosclerotic plaque stabilisation

Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying acute coronary syndromes has evolved beyond the view that this syndrome reflects a progressive collection of lipids and cellular debris in the vascular wall. Current evidence has implicated a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of this process. Thus, inflammatory cytokines may attenuate interstitial collagen synthesis, increase matrix degradation and promote apoptosis in several atheroma-associated cell types, and all these cellular events may enhance plaque vulnerability. Recently, a series of experimental studies have reported the plaque-stabilising effects of immunomodulatory therapy such as chemokine blockade, anti-CD40 ligand and IL-10. It is conceivable that some of these approaches will be tested clinically and, if successful, they could provide novel treatment strategies for atherosclerotic plaque stabilisation.     

In vivo antimetastatic and immunomodulating activity of phytomix-40

Antimetastatic and immunomodulating activity of Phytomix-40, a new plant preparation containing various adaptogens has been evaluated on the model of Lewis lung carcinoma. Intragastric administration of the drug decreased the intensity of metastatic process by 57% in comparison with the control and improved survival by 43%. This correlated with immunomodulating effect of the drug, which manifested by increased functional activity of T lymphocytes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 10, pp. 403–407, October, 1999