In vitro and in vivo assessment of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of Xylaria nigripes mycelium

- First report that XN extracts enhance non-inflammatory phagocytic activity.
- Anti-inflammatory activities of XN in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells model.
- Immunomodulatory activities of XN with enhance spleen function using Balb/c mice model.
- XN enhance splenocytes proliferation, cytokine inductions, and the cytotoxicity of splenic NK cells.

Xylaria nigripes (XN) is used to treat insomnia, trauma and inflammatory diseases. This study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of XN. Submerged fermentation was applied for production of XN mycelium. For in vitro studies on the anti-inflammation activity, hot water and 70% ethanol extracts of XN mycelia were prepared. Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells served as the cell culture model to evaluate the effects of XN extracts against disease-related inflammation. The immunomodulatory effects were examined by oral administration of XN mycelium in BALB/c mice. Both extracts effectively reduced the concentration of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 in culture medium, and Cox-2 enzyme activity. The phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells was enhanced upon treatment with XN extracts for 24 h. XN extract exhibited increased anti-inflammation effects, phagocytic activity, and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The XN mycelium exhibited immunomodulatory activities by enhancing splenocytes proliferation, cytokine inductions, and the cytotoxicity of splenic natural killer cells.