This 2007 review article explores the immunomodulatory properties of β-glucans, naturally occurring polysaccharides found in the cell walls of fungi, bacteria, and cereals. The authors discuss how β-glucans enhance host immune defense by activating the complement system and enhancing the function of macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells. The article
This review explores the immunomodulatory and potential anti-cancer effects of β-glucans, complex polysaccharides found in the cell walls of fungi, bacteria, and cereals. β-glucans interact with immune receptors such as Dectin-1, complement receptor 3 (CR3), and Toll-like receptors (TLR-2/6), activating immune cells including macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells,
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) on immune function in 120 healthy adults aged 21–50 years. Participants received either 2.56 g/day of AGE or a placebo for 90 days during the cold and flu season. The study found that AGE supplementation enhanced the
This 2014 study investigates the synergistic effects of the soybean-derived peptide lunasin combined with cytokines IL-2 and IL-12 on natural killer (NK) cells in the context of lymphoma immunotherapy. Lunasin enhances NK cell activation, increasing the expression of IFNγ and granzyme B, leading to improved cytotoxicity against lymphoma cells. Notably,
