Immunomodulating and anti-tumor action of extracts of several mushrooms

Aqueous extracts from fruit bodies and mycelia of various higher Basidiomycetes were studied in search for reliable biological effects. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted. The results showed that the aqueous extracts demonstrated various types of marked biological actions: an increased production of reactive oxygen forms by neutrophil cells of human peripheral blood; a significant mitogenic activity in a wide range of concentrations; stimulation on production of inflammatory cytokines interleukine 1-beta and interleukine-8 by peripheral blood cells; a decrease in both average tumor size in mice with transplanted melanoma B16 and a manifestation of tumorous intoxication; and a prolongation in the survival rate of such mice.