[#1987-02] Potentiation of Host-Mediated Antitumor Activity in Mice by Beta-Glucan Obtained from Grifola frondosa (Maitake), K. Adachi et al.

Potentiation of Host-Mediated Antitumor Activity in Mice by Beta-Glucan Obtained from Grifola frondosa (Maitake)

Adachi, K, Nanba, H, Kuroda, H

Department of Microbiology, Kobe Women’s College of Pharmacy

A polysaccharide (3-branched β-1,6-glucan MT-2) extracted from fruit bodies of Grifola frondosa ( maitake ) showed an antitumor effect against mouse syngeneic tumors (MM-46 carcinoma and IMC-carcinoma). It not only directly activates various effector cells (macrophages, Natural Killer cells, killer T-cells, etc.) to attack tumor cells, but also potentiates the activities of various mediators including lymphokines and Interleukin-1. Thus, it acts to potentiate cellular functions and at the same time to preven t a decrease of immune functions of the tumor-bearing host.