Hypoglycemic, Interferonogenous, and Immunomodulatory Activity of Tremellastin from the Submerged Culture of Tremella mesenterica Retz.: Fr. (Heterobasidiomycetes)

Tremellastin, containing 40-45% acidic polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan, was obtained by alcohol precipitation of culture broth after submerged cultivation of a yeastlike budding haploid strain of Tremella mesenterica. Tremellastin at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 500 tng/kg by P.O. administration during 15 consecutive days did not demonstrate hypoglycemic effects on the basis of the two selected experimental models of glucose-loading and STZ-induced hyperglycemia. However, the findings show a statistically significant and dose-dependent reduction of intrinsic blood glucose levels after 15 treatment days, as well as significantly decreased triglyceride levels in the glucose-loading-assigned Tremellastin-treatment groups. It was shown that the Tremellastin preparation appeared to be an active interferonogen at the concentration 10 mg/animal. At the same concentration this compound was the most efficient activator of oxygen-dependent biocide activity of macrophages. The activation of the oxygen-dependent macrophage biocide activity was associated with the induction of endogenous interferon by Tremellastin.