β-Glucans, History, and the Present: Immunomodulatory Aspects and Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

The present paper represents a comprehensive up-to-date review of β-glucans, their chemical and biological properties, and their role in immunological reactions. β-D-Glucans belong to a group of physiologically active compounds called biological response modifiers and represent highly conserved structural components of cell walls in yeast, fungi, or seaweed. Despite almost 150 years of research, the exact mechanisms of their action remain unclear. The present review starts with the history of glucans. Next, attention is focused on sources and structure, comparing the effects of physicochemical properties, and sources on biological effects. As glucans belong to natural products useful in preventing various diseases, they have been highly sought after throughout human history. Based on extensive recent research, this paper explains the various mechanisms of effects and the ways glucans mediate their effects on defense reactions against infections. Despite the fact that predominately pharmacological effects of glucans are positive, their unfavorable and potentially toxic side effects were not overlooked. In addition, attention was focused on the future research, possible alternatives such as synthetic oligosaccharides, and on clinical applications.

Follow-up Formula Consumption in 3- to 4-Year-Olds and Respiratory Infections: An RCT

“…[15][16][17] Another nutrient with immunomodulatory properties is yeast b-glucan, a polysaccharide isolated from the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 18 Consumption of yeast b-glucan has been associated with fewer symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in healthy adults. [19][20][21] A b-glucan from a different fungal source was reported to promote an increase of blood NK lymphocytes and fewer ARIs in children with recurrent ARIs.…”

β-Glucan Contents and Anti-wrinkling Effects of Brown Rice <i>Phellinus linteus</i> Mycelium Extracts Fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum

“…The water-soluble component contained heteroglycan, glycoprotein and others, and earlier studies have reported its immunomodulating function [3,6,10]. The recycling of β-1,3-glucan from the residue of G. lucidum was of interest due to the abundance of β-1,3-glucan in the cell walls of fungi and wide application in medicinal food [1,2,4]. Hydrolysis of the waste material, a water-insoluble residue, by strong acidic degradation (2 M HCl, 50…”

“…These glucans exhibit different solubility in water-based solutions [1,2]. G. lucidum is the most popular medicinal mushroom, with immunomodulating activity, applied in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancer, in numerous Asian countries [3][4][5].…”

“…G. lucidum is the most popular medicinal mushroom, with immunomodulating activity, applied in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancer, in numerous Asian countries [3][4][5]. Previous research has isolated several major substances with potent bioactivities, such as polysaccharides (in particular, β-1, 3-glucan) or protein-conjugated β-1,3-glucan [1,[6][7][8]. Polysaccharides from G. lucidum are not linear in structure, comprising β-(1 → 6)-D-glucosyl-linked side chains on a β-1,3-D-glucan backbone.…”

Structural Elucidation and Antioxidant Activity of a Polysaccharide from Mycelia Fermentation of Hirsutella sinensis Isolated from Ophiocordyceps sinensis

“…In recent years, many polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes isolated from fungi have been used as a source of therapeutic agents [1,2]. Many studies showed that fungi polysaccharide have series of pharmacological action, including anti-oxidation, hypoglycemic, boost immunity, anti-fatigue and anti-cancer [3][4][5][6][7].…”