Immunomodulatory effect of polysaccharides extracted from the medicinal mushroom Antrodia camphorata (higher Basidiomycetes) in specific pathogen-free chickens.

The immunomodulatory effect of polysaccharides extracted from mycelia of the medicinal mushroom Antrodia camphorata in submerged culture was studied in 100 specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. The chickens were randomly divided into 2 groups (50 per group). For the treated group, each kilogram of SPF chickens was fed 5 mg of A. camphorata extract (ACE) for 35 consecutive days. Chickens were killed on days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35, and lymphocytes were separated from the blood, spleen, thymus, bursa, kidney, and pancreas of the chickens. The results showed that, compared to the control group, the immune organ indices (except for the thymus) were higher after 14 days (P < 0.05), and the contents of globulin in blood were significantly increased on the 21st day (P < 0.05). The most of biochemical indices did not significantly changed within 35 days of treatment. Moreover, the response of proliferation and the rates of positive T lymphocytes in blood were higher than in the control group (P < 0.05).The results presented herein indicate that ACE could enhance the immune functions of the organs in SPF chickens and could be an attractive application of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.