Immunomodulatory Effects of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) Extract In Balb/c Mice.

Pleurotus sajor-caju (oyster mushroom, PSC) is widely used in culinary due to its various benefits on human health. However, no study has been reported on its immunomodulating properties. Cultivated mushroom powder was used for hot aqueous extraction using Soxhlet technique. The PSC extract was suspended into CMC and prepared into 3 groups: 0.2 g/kg, 1g/kg and 2g/kg. Balb/c mice were orally fed daily for 21 consecutive days. Treatment of mice with various concentrations of PSC showed increased populations of CD3+/CD4+, CD3+/CD8+, CD14+ and CD 19+ cells. Interestingly, PSC-treated mice demonstrated significant increase in CD3+/CD4+ and CD19+ cells. Most importantly, mice treated with PSC showed improved CD4+/CD8+ ratio; which indicated potential immunostimulating activity by PSC. In addition, no physical changes and signs of mortality could be detected from PSC-treated mice. The results suggest that PSC may improve general immune status when consumed consistently as a daily food option

Scanning Electron Microscopic Investigation of the Eviscerated Strands of Perhentian Island Bohadschia spp

As a defense reaction, the species Bohadschia grafeii and probably also another species, which we temporarily named as Bohadschia spp., eviscerate plenty of noodle-like threads which stick to the intruder’s body. These species belonging to the order holothuridae, are also known as ‘timun laut kuning’ and ‘timun laut batik’ amongst the local populace at the resort islands of Perhentian, Terangganu, Malaysia. The eviscerated materials are probably collagen-based materials exhibiting unique features when observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The threads, measuring 0.3 to 2.5 mm in diameter with variable length are white in colour, shiny and are sticky in nature. Under the SEM, the features which confer the ability for the threads to stick to many different types of surfaces are clearly displayed. The presence of cup-like structures distributed along the threads do provide possible explanation of the possible vacuum suctional ability that makes the threads stick fast to almost any surface. The role of this defense system, at least in the two species mentioned here, has not been described earlier