Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on macrophage function in high-fat diet fed rats and its anti-proliferative effects on IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells.

Macrophages have been considered an elusive yet emerging therapeutic target in tumor development since they are an important component in tumor microenvironment. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of C. sinensis on macrophage function (a component of tumor microenvironment which can alter the virulence of cancer) in high-fat diet fed rats. IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cell cytotoxicity was also investigated. The following parameters were observed to evaluate macrophage function: superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, lysosomal volume and phagocytic capacity. High fat diet (HFD) plus C. sinensis supplementation promoted a decreased superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide levels as well as lysosomal volume and phagocytic capacity. Nitric oxide was increased in the same group. In summary, C. sinensis offered an important anti-tumoral perspective from the standpoint of the tumor microenvironment and in vitro IMR-32 cytotoxicity.

Levan as a new additive for colon-specific films: a new approach in the use of exopolysaccharides in time-dependent free films (Aminoalkyl Methacrylate Copolymer RS).

Time-dependent films, augmented with prebiotics, offer potential strategy for colon-specific controlled drug release. In this study, we produced films containing levan (L) and Aminoalkyl Methacrylate Copolymer RS (ER). Free films of ER combined with levan were produced by the casting process and characterized by the mobility of the polymeric matrix, hydration, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA). The results of this study suggest that the exopolysaccharide levan can be used in combination with ER for colon specific materials. No evidence of incompatibilities between the levan and the synthetic polymer were detected, and levan improved the mobility of the polymeric matrix and the hydrophilicity of the system. Levan may have positively altered the density of the polymeric matrix, as visualized by thermal characterization. The endothermic decomposition peak was shifted with increasing amounts of levan. This new barrier polymer utilized a combination of time-dependent enzymatic mechanisms and can be considered promising for use in the coating of solid oral drugs for specific release.

α-Gluco-oligosaccharide in the research and development of a polymeric material for modified drug delivery.

This research aimed to analyse the influence of the incorporation of α-gluco-oligosaccharide (GOS-α) in the formation of isolated films of different combinations of polymethyl by applying physicochemical analyses such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Polymer films were prepared by evaporation associating Eudragit® RS30D with α-GOS. FTIR results confirmed the incorporation of α-GOS. The intermolecular interaction involving carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of Eudragit® with α-GOS was not detected. By TG and DSC, it was possible to detect that there were no changes in the thermal properties between the proposed combinations and the standard film. Upon SEM analysis, the appearance of pores for the association 90:10 was evidenced. Possibly, these pores act as output ports for the drug. These results sharpen the perspective of applying this material to the coating of pharmaceutical formulations of modified drug delivery.

Immunomodulatory and Antitumoral Properties of Ganoderma lucidum and Agaricus brasiliensis (Agaricomycetes) Medicinal Mushrooms.

Medicinal mushrooms are used in popular medicine largely as health promoters, mainly because of their antitumor and immunomodulatory activities. Ganoderma lucidum (lingzhi or reishi) and Agaricus brasiliensis are mushrooms that have long been used for medicinal purposes. This study evaluated their immunomodulatory and antitumor effects on mice fed a diet supplemented with G. lucidum and A. brasiliensis mycelia obtained from solid-state fermentation. For 14 weeks the mice were fed chow containing 50% A. brasiliensis and G. lucidum mycelia, using ground wheat as an excipient. The consumption of the supplemented diet inhibited Sarcoma 180 tumor growth and caused important changes in the immune system. The pattern of immune response shifted, increasing CD4+ and CD8+ and decreasing CD19+ cell populations. The restoration of a proper balance between cellular and humoral immunity is an essential process for restraining tumor growth. These results suggest that polysaccharides, such as ß-glucans and other mushroom metabolites, possibly promote the T-cell dominance that is imperative to restrain tumor growth.