The Lanostane Triterpenoids in <i>Poria cocos</i> Play Beneficial Roles in Immunoregulatory Activity

oleh: Chien-Liang Chao, Hsin-Wen Huang, Muh-Hwan Su, Hang-Ching Lin, Wen-Mein Wu

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-02-01

Deskripsi

<i>Poria cocos</i> (Schwein) F.A. Wolf (syn. <i>Wolfiporia cocos</i>) dried sclerotium, called fuling, is an edible, saprophytic fungus commonly used as a tonic and anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine. It is traditionally used in combination with other traditional Chinese medicines to enhance immunity. This study showed that <i>P. cocos</i> extract (Lipucan<sup>®</sup>) containing lanostane triterpenoids has no immunotoxicity and enhances non-specific (innate) immunity though activating natural killer cells and promotes interferon γ (IFN-γ) secretion by Type 1 T-helper (Th1) cells immune response. In addition, <i>P. cocos</i> extract significantly decreased interleukin (IL-4 and IL-5) secretion by Type 2 T-helper (Th2) cells immune response, which are related to the allergy response. The purified lanostane triterpenoids were first identified as active ingredients of <i>P. cocos</i> with enhanced non-specific immunity by promoting interferon γ (IFN-γ) secretion in a preliminary study. Our findings support that the <i>P. cocos</i> extract plays beneficial roles in immunoregulatory activity.