Effects of Tremella polysaccharides on immune function in mice

It was found in vitro that Tremella polysaccharides (TP) (50, 100, 150 and 200 micrograms/ml) augmented lymphocyte proliferation induced by Con A and did not antagonize the suppressive effect of hydrocortisone on lymphocyte proliferation. In vivo TP promoted the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to SRBC in mice. TP 50 and 100 mg/kg ip for 5 d produced 77.6% and 81.8% increases in PFC response respectively. At the doses of 150 and 200 micrograms/ml, TP decreased the interleukin 2 (IL-2) activities in the supernatant of culture media of mouse spleen cells. TP (50 micrograms/ml) enhanced the lymphocyte proliferation induced by Con A and increased the PFC response to SRBC by 47.1% in 14-month-old mice.