Inhibitory Effects of Edible Higher Basidiomycetes Mushroom Extracts on Mouse Type IV Allergy

Abstract

The inhibitory effects of edible higher Basidiomycetes mushroom extracts from Hypsizygus marmoreus (Peck) Bigel.., Flammulina velutipes (Curt.: Fr.)P. Karst., Pholiota nameko (T. Ito) S. Ito et Imai, and Pleurotus eryngii (DC.: Fr.) Quel. on oxazolone-induced type IV allergy in male ICR mice were investigated. Oral administration of the ethanol extracts of these mushroom species for 3 days before the challenge showed significant antiallergic effects at a dose of 250 mg/kg bw/day. However, oral administration of the extracts for 3 days before the sensitization had no antiallergic effect at the same dose. A single percutaneous administration of the mushroom extracts together with the challenge also resulted in significant antiallergic effects at a dose of 0.1 mg/ear. The, results suggest that ethanol extracts of these mushroom species suppress the hypersensitive immune response such as the inflammation in delayed allergy.