Screening of the immunomodulatory and antibacterial activity of Termitomyces letestui (Pat.) Heim (Lyophyllaceae), an edible mushroom from Cameroon

Abstract

Background Globally, Termitomyces letestui is used by different communities to treat various illnesses, including bacterial infection, although with limited scientific evidence. The current study aims to assess the immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties of the water extract of a wild mushroom, T. letestui in mice model. Methods The base study was completed following the standard methods and procedures using white mice Mus musculus. The immunomodulatory was investigated for humoral and cell-mediated response in both the normal and dexamethasone-immunosuppressed mice. An immunostimulatory drug, levamisole, was used as reference. The treatment was done daily and the extract doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg bwt were used. Delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH), mice lethality rate and hemagglutination antibody titer were determined. Disc diffusion assay was performed using the Muller-Hinton agar to assess the effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad prism 5.0 a Software. Results T. letestui water extract (TLAE) provided significant inhibition zones against E. coli and S. aureus. TLAE=, along with the antigen (Salmonella typhi) showed a significant increase in the circulating antibody titer and reduced the lethality rate in mice. The extract also showed significant increase in the DTH response against S. typhi. Conclusions This preliminary study demonstrated that TLAE caused a significant immunostimulatory effect on both the cell-mediated and humoral immune systems in the mice and antibacterial property against E. coli and S. aureus.

Alleviated Immunological Activities of Wistar Rat Peritoneal Neutrophils and Macrophages by Polysaccharide Rich Extract from the Fruit Bodies of Microporus vernicipes (Polyporales)

“…But, some reports have shown the immunostimulatory effect of mushroom. For example, our previous study on the aqueous extract T. letestui and T. clepeatus showed a good dose-response effect in antibody production and hypersensitivity test in vivo in mice [26,27]. Study carried out on various mushroom 'species such as Amauroderma rude, showed that mushrooms 'species can increase the immunological capacities of spleen lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells as well as macrophage metabolism and antibody production [14].…”

Termite Mushrooms (Termitomyces), a Potential Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Exhibiting Human Health Benefits: A Review

“…Members of the genus Termitomyces have shown significant results in reacting against various human pathogenic bacteria and some fungal pathogens, but no studies have yet been undertaken involving other microorganisms [ 133 ]. Among the various Termitomyces species, T. clypeatus , T. eurrhizus , T. heimii , and T. robustus showed significant antimicrobial activity against different pathogenic microorganisms [ 234 , 247 , 248 , 249 , 250 , 251 ]. Some polysaccharides (endo- and exo-polysaccharides) from T. heimii also showed significance antimicrobial activity against different micro-organisms [ 152 , 251 ].…”