Abstract:
The present study reports the immunomodulatory effects hot water, methanolic
and polysaccharide extracts of mushroom species including Pleurotus ostreatus,
Pleurotus
sajor-caju
and
Lentinus
edodes.
Lymphoproliferative
response
to
phytohaemagglutinin-p and antibody (total Ig, IgM and IgG) were used to detect cellular
and humoral immune responses, respectively. Results of the study revealed significantly
higher (P<0.05) lymphoproliferative responses in hot water, methanolic and
polysaccharide extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor-caju and Lentinus edodes
relative to control. Antibody titers (total Ig, IgM and IgG) were higher in hot water,
methanolic and polysaccharide extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor-caju and
Lentinus edodes relative to control. Weight gains of the chickens administered with hot
water, methanolic and polysaccharide extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor-
caju and Lentinus edodes were significantly higher (P<0.05) relative to control. FCR of
the experimental groups also showed lower values in comparison to control. After mixed
species infection of Eimeria, maximum protection (60 per cent) was observed in
polysaccharide extracts of Lentinus edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus followed by
methanolic extracts of Lentinus edodes and Pleurotus sajor-caju (55 per cent), hot water
extract of Lentinus edodes (50 per cent), methanolic and polysaccharide extracts of
Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus sajor-caju (45 per cent), hot water extracts of
Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus sajor-caju (40 per cent), respectively. However,
control groups in both experiments showed minimum per cent protection (15 and 20 per
cent). Significantly lower (P<0.05) oocyst per gram of droppings (OPG) were noticed in
experimental groups relative to control in both experiments. Experimental groups showed
lower lesion scoring relative to control. Weight gains post infections were significantly
higher (P<0.05) in experimental groups relative to control. Organ body weight ratios of
the lymphoid organs were also observed but ratios obtained were statistically non-
significant (P>0.05).
