[#2011-07] Immune enhancing effects of WB365, a novel combination of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa) extracts, Vadav Vetvicka et al.
Immune enhancing effects of WB365, a novel combination of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa) extracts
Vaclav Vetvicka and Jana. Vetvickova.
Dapartment of Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY USA
Abstract
Background: Stress has been found to significantly reduce the abilities of the immune system to fight infection!. One of the ways to overcome the defect of the immune system is the strengthening of the defense reactions by nutrition.
Aims: To evaluate immune enhancing effects of the following material: WB365, a nosel combination of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Maitake (Grfola frondosa) extract .
Results: We found that both glucan-rich maitake extract and WB365 caused a similar stimulation of phagocyte activity. Stress-induced increase of corticosteron production was blocked by feeding with Ashwagandha extract and even more by WB365. Cytokine experiment showed the feeding with WB365 helped olercome the stress-related inhibition of IL-6, IL -12 and IFN-γ production.
Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrated that WB365, a combination of Maitake mushroom-derived glucan and Ashmagandha extracts; has strong pleiotropic biological effects related to immune health and stress reduction.
