Immunomodulating Effects of Fungal Beta-Glucans: From Traditional Use to Medicine

Abstract

The importance of a well-functioning and balanced immune system has become more apparent in recent decades. Various elements have however not yet been uncovered as shown, for example, in the uncertainty on immune system responses to COVID-19. Fungal beta-glucans are bioactive molecules with immunomodulating properties. Insights into the effects and function of beta-glucans, which have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, advances with the help of modern immunological and biotechnological methods. However, it is still unclear into which area beta-glucans fit best: supplements or medicine? This review has highlighted the potential application of fungal beta-glucans in nutrition and medicine, reviewing their formulation, efficacy, safety profile, and immunomodulating effects. The current status of dietary fungal glucans with respect to the European scientific requirements for health claims related to the immune system and defense against pathogens has been reviewed. Comparing the evidence base of the putative health effects of fungal beta-glucan supplements with the published guidance documents by EFSA on substantiating immune stimulation and pathogen defense by food products shows that fungal beta-glucans could play a role in supporting and maintaining health and, thus, can be seen as a good health-promoting substance from food, which could mean that this effect may also be claimed if approved. In addition to these developments related to food uses of beta-glucan-containing supplements, beta-glucans could also hold a novel position in Western medicine as the concept of trained immunity is relatively new and has not been investigated to a large extent. These innovative concepts, together with the emerging success of modern immunological and biotechnological methods, suggest that fungal glucans may play a promising role in both perspectives, and that there are possibilities for traditional medicine to provide an immunological application in both medicine and nutrition.

In vivo toxicity of bioreactor-grown biomass and exopolysaccharides from Malaysian tiger milk mushroom mycelium for potential future health applications

“…Previous reports have highlighted that the sclerotia, mycelium, and exopolysaccharides of L. rhinocerus contain similar bioactive compounds to β-glucans 21 . Nowadays, β-glucans have gained appeal for several emerging applications, including biopolymers 40 and biomedicines 41 . Notable potential therapeutic properties recently uncovered of mushroom-derived β-glucans include: (a) new or complementary immunotherapies against Coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2) 18 ; (b) new therapeutic agent for mitigating diseases associated with gastrointestinal mucosal damage, such as peptic ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease 42 ; (c) anticancer drugs for lung and breast cancer 43 ; and (d) asthmatic treatment 28 , 44 .…”

In-Vivo Toxicity of Bioreactor-Grown Biomass And Exopolysaccharides From Malaysian Tiger Milk Mushroom Mycelium For Potential Future Health Applications

“…This work investigates and reports on acute toxicity of zebrafish embryos post exposure to MB and EPS derived from a rare Malaysian-origin Tiger Milk mushroom L. rhinocerus grown in a bioreactor. Bioactive compounds, such as -glucans, were found in these L. rhinocerus MB-EPS extracts; use of glucans have gained appeal in recent years for a number of emerging applications including biopolymers 30 and biomedicines 31 . It is notable that mushroom-derived -glucans have many new therapeutic properties, including (a) potential new or complementary immunotherapies against Coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2) 14 , (b) potential new therapeutic agent for mitigating diseases associated with gastrointestinal mucosal damage, such as peptic ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease 32 , (c) potential as anticancer drugs for lung and breast cancer 33 , and (d) potentially asthmatic treatment 23,34 .…”

Beta-Glucans from Fungi: Biological and Health-Promoting Potential in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

“…A high increase in proinflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and GM-CSF and chemokines such as CCl2, CCL-5, IP-10, and CCL3, along with reactive oxygen species in patients with COVID-19, is closely correlated with ARDS, leading to pulmonary fibrosis and death [168]. All changes in cytokine levels are related to various changes in cellular ingredients of the immune response, which shows close association between infection with COVID-19 and individual response from the immune system, resulting in different clinical symptoms [170].…”

“…Critically ill patients requiring a stay in the intensive care unit were characterized by noticeably high concentrations of IL-2, IL-10, G-CSF, IP10, MCP1, MIP1A, TNFα, and IL-6 [168]. Uncontrolled production of proinflammatory interleukins and cytokines that cause inflammatory or cytokine storm (CS) in the lungs is induced by the binding of SARS-CoV-2 virus to the Toll-Like receptors (TLR) [169,170]. A high increase in proinflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and GM-CSF and chemokines such as CCl2, CCL-5, IP-10, and CCL3, along with reactive oxygen species in patients with COVID-19, is closely correlated with ARDS, leading to pulmonary fibrosis and death [168].…”