What does scientific research say so far about:

Hericum erinaceus

Immune System

Quick table of contents:

 

Immunomodulation

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Food & Function journal - January 24, 2018

Structure characterization of a novel polysaccharide from Hericium erinaceus fruiting bodies and its immunomodulatory activities – Fangfang Wu & Al.
Experiment: in vivo (mus musculus – mouse)
Download the original paper (not open access, work in progress)

This scientific article describes the structure of a new polysaccharide (HEP-S) extracted from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus (also known as lion’s mane mushroom).

The structure of HEP-S was characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR. It has an average molecular weight of 1.83 × 10⁴ Da and is composed of rhamnose, fucose, mannose, glucose, and galactose in a molar ratio of 1.47 : 0.93 : 1.36 : 8.68 : 4.08.

Immunomodulation tests showed that HEP-S could increase the phagocytic capacity of RAW 264.7 cells (a macrophage cell line) and stimulate the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines. HEP-S was also able to improve adaptive immune function by increasing the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes and enhancing the secretion of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, and interferon-γ in spleen lymphocytes.

These results suggest that HEP-S could be used as a potential immunomodulatory agent in functional foods.

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Frontiers in Immunology - June 12, 2017

Immunomodulatory Activities of a Fungal Protein Extracted from Hericium erinaceus through Regulating the Gut Microbiota  – Chen Diling & Al.
Experiment: in vivo (mus musculus – mouse)
Download the original paper

This scientific article studies the immunomodulatory effects of a fungal protein (HEP3) extracted from Hericium erinaceus.

HEP3 was isolated using chemical separation and pharmacodynamic evaluation methods. It showed immunomodulatory activity by inhibiting the excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and by reducing the expression of inducible NO synthase and the nuclear transcription factor NF-κB.

Further studies showed that HEP3 could enhance the immune system by modulating the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota. It can also stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of T cells, activate intestinal antigen-presenting cells in immunotoxic mice, and play a prebiotic role in cases of excessive antibiotic use in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease.

In summary, HEP3 could be used as an immunomodulatory agent, either as a drug or as a functional food ingredient.

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Food & Function journal - March 22, 2017

Immunomodulatory effects of Hericium erinaceus derived polysaccharides are mediated by intestinal immunology  – Xiaotong Sheng & Al.
Experiment: in vivo (mus musculus – mouse)
Download the original paper

This article studies the immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharides derived from Hericium erinaceus in mice.

Researchers evaluated the immunomodulatory activity of HEP by measuring splenic lymphocyte proliferation (cellular immunity), serum hemolysin levels (humoral immunity), phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages, and NK cell activity. They also performed IgA ELISA in the lamina propria and Western blotting of intestinal proteins to better understand how HEP affects the intestinal immune system.

The results showed that HEP improves immune function by enhancing cellular and humoral immunity, macrophage phagocytosis, and NK cell activity. HEP also increased IgA secretion and activated MAPK and AKT signaling pathways in the intestine.

In conclusion, these results suggest that the immunomodulatory effects of HEP are most likely due to the effective regulation of intestinal mucosal immune activity.

Antibacterial

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Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry - June 6, 2012

Hericium erinaceus mushroom extracts protect infected mice against Salmonella Typhimurium-Induced liver damage and mortality by stimulation of innate immune cells  – Sung Phil Kim & Al.
Experiment: in vivo (mus musculus – mouse)
Download the original paper (not open access, work in progress)

This article studies the effects of Hericium erinaceus mushroom extracts on Salmonella Typhimurium infection in mice.

The extracts did not inhibit S. Typhimurium growth in culture, but they stimulated the phagocytosis of bacteria by macrophages. The extracts also increased the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in macrophages, leading to increased nitric oxide production.

Mice infected with a sublethal dose of S. Typhimurium and treated with the extracts showed protection against liver necrosis, a biomarker of salmonellosis. Mice infected with a lethal dose and treated with the extracts also survived longer.

The results suggest that H. erinaceus extracts act against bacterial infection by activating innate immune cell.

We will update this page regularly: 12.06.2025

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