Modulating effects of Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides on the immune response by regulating gut microbiota in cyclophosphamide‐treated mice

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota (GM) is recognized as a significant contributor to the immune system. In the present study, the effects of Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides (HEP) on immunoregulation and GM in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-treated mice were investigated to elucidate the attenuate of immunosuppression by modulating GM. RESULTS:The results revealed that HEP significantly improved the body weight and immune organ index in immunodeficient mice (P < 0.05). They significantly increased operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (P < 0.05), adjusted the ⊍ and ⊎ diversity of the GM, and the bacterial community structure was more similar to that of control group. Taxonomic composition analysis found that HEP increased the abundance of Alistipse, uncultured_bacterium_f_Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, uncultured_bac-terium_f_Lachnospiracea, uncultured_bacterium_f_Ruminococcaceae and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, and decreased Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Alloprevotella, suggesting that HEP can improve the GM structure and inhibit CTX-induced GM dysregulation. Moreover, HEP increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, recovered SCFA levels, alleviated immunosuppression caused by CTX, enhanced the serum immune cytokine factors, and upregulated TLR4/NF-κB pathway key proteins (TLR4, NF-κB p65) at mRNA and protein levels.CONCLUSION: Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides effectively regulated GM and enhancement of intestinal immune function, so they have the potential to be developed as functional ingredients or foods to modulate immune responses.

Phenolics from Dendrobium officinale Leaf Ameliorate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Chronic Colitis by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Barrier

“…Gut microbiota were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. Specific procedures were performed according to our previous study . In short, the V3–V4 region of the bacterial 16S rDNA was amplified by PCR with forward (5′-ACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAG-3′) and reverse (5′-GGACTACHVGGGTWTCTAAT-3′) primers using dual-index barcodes.…”

“…Specific procedures were performed according to our previous study. 24 In short, the V3−V4 region of the bacterial 16S rDNA was amplified by PCR with forward (5′-ACTCCTACGG-GAGGCAGCAG-3′) and reverse (5′-GGACTACHVGGGTWTC-TAAT-3′) primers using dual-index barcodes. Sequencing of PCR products was carried out on the Illumina HiSeq platform following the instructions of Biomarker Co., Ltd. (Beijing, China).…”

Hericium erinaceus, a medicinal fungus with a centuries-old history: Evidence in gastrointestinal diseases

“…In this context, H. erinaceus showed some preclinical results, demonstrating its potential in cancer therapy-induced toxicity. For this purpose, an investigation based on polysaccharides was conducted in mice treated with cyclophosphamide[ 136 ]. This brought the composition of the gut microbiota of chemotherapy-treated mice closer to that of control and healthy mice through increased alpha and beta diversity.…”

Ameliorating effects of Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides on intestinal barrier injury in immunocompromised mice induced by cyclophosphamide

“…HEP preparation was performed by referring to our previously reported method. 17,18 The fruiting body was dried in an oven at 50 °C for 10 h, crushed and passed through a 50-mesh sieve, and 95% ethanol was added for extraction and degreased for 24 h. Centrifugation was performed at 8000g for 15 min to remove the supernatant, and ethanol was removed by natural air drying. The dried sample was mixed with distilled water at a ratio of 1 : 15 (w/v), extracted twice at 95 °C for 3 h each time and centrifuged at 8000g for 15 min.…”

“…Dose selection was based on previously published research studies. 18,19 The equivalent low, medium and high HEP doses for humans are 8.24, 16.49 and 32.97 mg per kg body weight per day, respectively, based on the Meeh-Rubner equation. 20,21 Twelve mice in each group were placed in three cages of four mice each.…”