IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF MORCHELLA ESCULENTA DRIED POWDER IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

 

Yellow morel

Morchella esculenta

Morchella esculenta, is a species of fungus with Family Morchellaceae of the Ascomycota.

Scientific name: Morchella esculenta

Kingdom: Fungi

Order: Pezizales

Family:  Morchellaceae

Division: Ascomycota

Morchella esculenta is well known both for its nutritional as well as health benefits. Fruiting body of Gucchi mushroom is nutritious. It is a source of many bioactive components such as polysaccharides, carbohydrates, dietary fibers, proteins, vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin D, trace elements which include calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, copper, zinc, iron, potassium and phosphorous. Morels carry high amount of Vitamin D, approximately 206 IU in 100 g of the sample. These mushrooms that are low in fat and contain low calories (Elmastas et al., 2016) reported that the fruiting body of Gucchi mushrooms exhibits antioxidant activity. The presence of β-carotene and linoleic acid shows its antioxidant properties. Bioactive components such as tocopherols, organic acids, phenolic compounds and carotenoids are present in these wild mushrooms. Anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory activities of these mushrooms are well known. They also possess anticancer and antihypertensive properties. The conventional method of its cultivation is impractical and since they are a rare wild species of nutrient rich source, submerged fermentation has been developed. Polysaccharides present in these mushrooms showed potential anti-tumour activity. The antibacterial properties of Gucchi mushrooms as against Salmonella typhimurium, E-coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterobacter cloacae was also noted. Evidences revealed that it is useful in the treatment of head ache, cold, stomach ache and Hepatitis B (Paul et al., 2018). These mushrooms can alleviate any kind of fatigue, sleeplessness and blood cholesterol level (Genccelep et al., 2009).

EXPRIMENTAL MODELS

Determination of complete blood count (CBC)

Two milliliters of fresh blood was drawn by intraventricular puncture for each of the animals in Group IV, V, and VI on the 14th day into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-containing vacutainers. It was then analyzed at the Mulago National Referral Hospital hematology laboratory using an automated Beckman coulter A-T Pierce hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Fullerton, CA, USA) for the complete and differential blood cell counts.

Determination of neutrophil adhesion

On day 14 after administration of the extract, blood samples from rats in Group IV, V, and VI were obtained by ventricular puncture and analyzed for total leucocyte counts (TLC) and differential leukocyte counts (DLC). After the initial counts, the blood samples were incubated with 80 mg/mL of nylon fibers for 15 min at 37 °C. The incubated blood samples were again analyzed for TLC and DLC. The product of TLC and % neutrophil were given as the neutrophil index (NI) of blood sample [19]. Percent neutrophil adhesion was calculated as follows:

Neutrophil adhesion = (NIu - Nit) × 100/NIu

where, NIu, neutrophil index of untreated blood sample; Nit, neutrophil index of treated blood sample

Neutrophil index (NI) = TLC × % neutrophil

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