Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) exhibits many biological activities including antioxidant, inhibition of inflammation, cancer prevention, hypoglycemic, and antiaging properties, etc. However, a majority of studies involving C. militaris have focused only on in vitro and animal models, and there is a lack of direct translation and application of study results to clinical practice (e.g., health benefits). In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of C. militaris micron powder (3 doses) on the human immune system. The study results showed that administration of C. militaris at various dosages reduced the activity of cytokines such as eotaxin, fibroblast growth factor-2, GRO, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. In addition, there was a significant decrease in the activity of various cytokines, including GRO, sCD40L, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and a significant downregulation of interleukin-12(p70), interferon-γ inducible protein 10, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β activities, indicating that C. militaris at all three dosages downregulated the activity of cytokines, especially inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Different dosages of C. militaris produced different changes in cytokines.

Pleurotus eryngii, also known as thistle mushroom, is rich in proteins, dietary fibre and polysaccharides. It has been developed as a functional food due to its antioxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-viral and anti-tumour functions. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of the immunoregulatory and antioxidant effects of P. eryngii superfine powder (PESP) in vivo. Test mice were fed with a diet containing 6.67% PESP to explore its effect on mouse delayed-type hypersensitivity, phagocytic index, serum hemolysin, serum and liver glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P X) activities, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in liver homogenate. For the human study, volunteers received PESP at doses of 5, 10 or 15 g. Serum levels of 39 cytokines were determined before and after ingestion using a Millipore Human Kit and a liquid chip scanner. Our results showed that, in mice, dietary P. eryngii supplementation significantly increased the weight difference of ears (P < 0.01), phagocytic index (P < 0.05), serum hemolysin (P < 0.01), serum and liver GSH-PX activities (P < 0.01) and serum SOD activity (P < 0.01), but decreased MDA content (P < 0.01) in liver homogenate. In human trials, 5 g of PESP significantly decreased serum epidermal growth factor, while 15 g of PESP significantly decreased serum granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, macrophage-derived chemokine and tumour necrosis factor-α. No change was detected in serum cytokines after the administration of 10 g of PESP. P. eryngii can regulate innate and acquired immune functions in mice to execute antioxidant and anti-aging functions, and can alter human serum cytokines. The dual immunoregulatory effects of P. eryngii are consistent with the theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

Lactoferrin, IGF‐1 and IgG are three well‐known bioactive proteins found in bovine colostrum. We studied the effects of these three active ingredients on the levels of eight cytokines in serum and on the cellular communication networks in vivo by oral administration, intraperitoneal injection and intravenous injection. The results suggested that bioactive ingredients, especially biomacromolecules, can induce different effects, even opposite effects, on the immune system depending on the route of administration. These effects are related to both the functions of the bioactive ingredient in vivo and to its specific receptor binding in the gastrointestinal mucosa that activates different signalling pathways.