Morchella esculenta polysaccharides: a functional food with potential immunomodulatory properties

Modern pharmacological research has demonstrated highly appreciated culinary mushrooms, Morchella esculenta. The soluble β glucans are immunostimulatory that is mediated through production of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), leading to phagocytosis and resident macrophage proliferation without excess inflammation. The ability of polysaccharides to stimulate macrophages may be attributed to its arabinose, mannose, galactose and xylose constituents. The anti-inflammatory property of M. esculenta was demonstrated by NF-κB dephosphorylation, blockade of toll like recptor-4, inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and reduction of proinflammatory cytokines. High molecular weight polysaccharides (4.7 kDa-1391.5 kDa) composed of xylose, glucose, mannose, rhamnose and galactose in various molar ratio exhibited pharmacological properties. This review article discusses the immunomodulatory properties of M. esculenta particularly of their polysaccharides.