Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Activity of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus Sajor Caju) in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Present study was carried out to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor caju) in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive female Wistar rats. The study was conducted to determination the phytochemical screening of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor caju) by qualitative and quantitative method and antioxidant activity by in vitro method. Hot aqueous extract of oyster mushroom has 16.5% extraction yield, and contains alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids. Quantitative study of oyster mushroom showed the presence of protein (8.11±0.08 mg/g), amino acid (2.90±0.008 mg/g), carbohydrate (2.67±0.018 mg/g), tannin (6.86±0.003 mg/g) flavonoids (5.34±.003mg/g), phenols (3.21±0.005mg/g), and alkaloids (2.79±0.003mg/g). In-vitro studies showed presence of H2O2 (195.76±4.60 AAE/g), superoxide anion (155.33±12.37 AAE/g) and DPPH (49.73±6.03 AAE/g) free radical scavenging activities and ABTS (9.4±0.00 TE/g) scavenging activity. In the in-vivo study, female Wistar rats were divided into six groups each having 9 animals. Group 1 (cyclophosphamide;10mg/kg b.w.), group 2 (cyclophosphamide + Oyster mushroom extract; 10mg/kg b.w+800mg/kg b.w), group 3 (Cyclophosphamide + levamisole10mg/kg b.w. + 50mg/kg b.w.) were cyclophosphamide –treatment groups, while the control groups were 4 (Oyster mushroom extract; 800mg/kg b.w), 5 (Levamisole;50mg/kg b.w.) and 6th (Drinking water; 0.1ml/100gm b.w.). All the treatment was done orally and duration of exposure period was 28 days. Study was approved by IAEC (Approval no. IAEC/SVPUAT/2022/75 and IAEC Approval no. - IAEC/SVPUAT/2022/88). There were no significant changes observed in weekly body weight gain, absolute and relative organ weight in different treatment groups, however, significant changes were observed in feed and water consumption in different treatment groups when compared to cyclophosphamide group. Haematological parameters shows the significant changes in RBCs, TLC, DLC, platelets and Hb values in the cyclophosphamide group while oyster mushroom treatment improve these values. Similarly, the total protein level, albumin and globulin in the cyclophosphamide alone group were less compared to other different treatment groups. SGPT, SGOT and ALP values were significantly increase in the cyclophosphamide-treated group and simultaneously treatment with oyster mushrooms and cyclophosphamide, significantly decline in this value was observed which were almost similar to the values of control groups. HA titre and DTH test values were significantly less in cyclophosphamide group as compared to different-treatment groups and simultaneously administration of cyclophosphamide and oyster mushroom significantly increased the HA titre and foot pad thickness which was almost similar to the values of control groups rat. LPO level in RBCs, liver and spleen in the cyclophosphamide treated group was significantly higher while GSH level in liver and kidneys was significantly less and simultaneous treatment of cyclophosphamide +oyster mushroom had a significantly decline in the value of LPO and increased in level of GSH, which was almost similar to the LPO value of control groups. Histopathology examination of liver, spleen, kidneys and lungs of different treatment groups shows that degenerative changes were observed in liver, spleen, kidneys and lungs of cyclophosphamide–alone treated group and treatment with oyster mushroom and levamisole prevents the degenerative changes in these organs towards the control groups. Result of present study revealed that oyster mushroom may shows the improvement in haematological, biochemical, anti-oxidant activity, humoral and cell mediated immune response and prevent the degenerative changes in vital organs due to presence of in vitro antioxidants and phytochemicals and suggest that in can be include in diet of various diseases of animals and human being.