Immunotherapeutic Activities of Mushroom Derived Polysaccharides in Chicken

Mushrooms including Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) and Pleurotus sajor-caju (PSC) were processed to isolate the polysaccharides through ion exchange (DEAE Cellulose) and size exclusion (Sephadex G-100) chromatography. Monosaccharides including maltose, glucose, mannose and fructose were identified through HPLC. Polysaccharides of PO and PSC were administered in chickens. Lymphoproliferative response to phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) and antibody response to sheep RBCs were used to demonstrate the cell mediated immunity and humoral immunity in chicken. Polysaccharides purified from PO and PSC showed significantly higher (Pless than 0.05) cellular immune response at 48 and 72 h post administration of PHA-P relative to control. Significantly higher antibody titers (total Ig, IgM and IgG) were recorded in polysaccharide extract of PO and PSC at day 7th and 14th post-primary and post-secondary injections of sheep RBCs. Challenged infection of mixed species of genus Eimeria revealed significantly higher (Pless than 0.05) oocyst count in control group relative to groups administered with polysaccharide extracts of PO and PSC. Moreover, significantly higher (Pless than 0.05) per cent protection and protection against coccidial lesions were observed in chickens administered with polysaccharide extracts of PO and PSC. From the results, it was concluded that polysaccharides purified from PO and PSC had the immunotherapeutic potential and could be used in poultry to boost up the immune response in chickens. Copyright 2014 Friends Science Publishers