β-glucans from Trametes versicolor is effective for prevention of influenza virus infection. - GreenMedInfo Summary
β-Glucans from(L.) Lloyd Is Effective for Prevention of Influenza Virus Infection.
Viruses. 2022 01 25 ;14(2). Epub 2022 Jan 25. PMID: 35215831
Shaohua Shi
() is a higher fungi or mushroom which is now known by its accepted scientific names as(L.) Lloyd. Many studies have shown thatβ-glucans fromhave various physiological activities, including activating macrophages to protect againstinfection. However, whetherβ-glucans have antiviral effects has not been reported. Hence, the objective of this study was to confirm whether β-glucans could boost the immune response to combat influenza virus in mouse and chick models. The results show that β-glucans induced the expression of, costimulatory molecules (/) and cytokines,,andin murine bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs). In addition, orally administeredβ-glucans reduced weight loss, mortality and viral titers in the lungs of mice infected with influenza virus and attenuated pathological lung damage caused by the virus in the mice. Orally administered β-glucans improved survival and reduced lung viral titers in chickens infected with H9N2 avian influenza virus. These results suggest that β-glucans have a significant antiviral effect. Therefore, β-glucans could become a potential immunomodulator against influenza virus.