J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 Oct; 77(2-3): 253-7.

Immunomodulatory activity of Chilean Cyttaria species in mice with L5178Y lymphoma.

Schmeda-Hirschmann G, VillaseÃ±or-GarcÃa MM, Lozoya X, Puebla-PÃ©rez AM.

Laboratorio de QuÃmica de Productos Naturales, Instituto de QuÃmica de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Talca, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile. schmeda@pehuenche.utalca.cl

The immunomodulatory effect of hydrosoluble extracts of four Chilean Cyttaria species (Discomycetes, Fungi) was assessed in mice with L5178Y lymphoma. Oral administration of 100 mg extract per day for 7 days enhanced the percentual phagocytosis and phagocytosis index in animals receiving Cyttaria berteroi, Cyttaria darwinii, Cyttaria espinosae and Cyttaria harioti extracts. Differences in the digestion index were observed in mice treated with C. darwinii and C. berteroi. In the delayed-type hypersensitivity model, only C. harioti was able to modify the immune response. The results suggest that intake of Cyttaria can improve the immune system of consumers.