Antioxidant and Immunopotentiating Effects of Cordyceps Mycelium Extract, Chicken Essence, and Their Combination in Experimental Models

Abstract

Cordyceps mycelium extract (Cs-4), Chicken Essence (CE), and their combination were investigated for antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities in mouse models. Long-term treatment with Cs-4 or CE at equivalent human doses improved antioxidant status in various tissues, as evidenced by the enhancement of mitochondrial glutathione redox status in the brain, liver, heart, and kidney of mice. Cs-4 or CE treatment also produced an immunomodulatory action, as indicated by the potentiation of Concanavalin A-/lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation of mouse splenocytes ex vivo. While doubling of the equivalent human doses of Cs-4 and CE did not further enhance their antioxidant or immunopotentiating effects, the combined treatment with Cs-4 and CE at their respective equivalent human doses produced an additive effect, with the extents of stimulation being larger than those produced by Cs-4 or CE alone. The results have demonstrated for the first time that the combined use of Cs-4 and CE can produce an additive effect on both antioxidation and immunopotentiation that cannot otherwise be achieved by increasing the equivalent human doses of Cs-4 or CE alone.