Combined effects of fungal β-glucan and Zataria multiflora essential oil on phagocytosis in Balb/C mice

Introduction: Natural substances have been used since ancient times for treatment of a range of diseases and have represented stimulatory effects on the function of innate immunity. The purposes of this study were to prepare β-glucan from S. cerevisiae and to assess the efficacy of purified β-glucan, Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) essential oil and their complex on phagocytosis in Balb/c mice.Methods: β-glucan was purified during three stages including alkaline-acid treatment (S۱), DEAE sephacel chromatography (S۲) and con-A sepharose chromatography (S۳). Z. multiflora essential oil was extracted by water-distillation using Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition of Z. multiflora essential oil was analyzed by a GC/MS system. β-glucan (۱۵ mg/kg), Z. multiflora essential oil (۱۰۰ mg/kg) and their complex (the same doses) were injected into Balb/c mice intraperitoneally (IP). The blood samples were collected at days ۴ and ۷ after injection and phagocytic activity was assayed by chemiluminescence method.Results: The results showed that the ratios of mannan to β-glucan were ۷۰.۳ to ۲۹.۷ for S۱, ۷۱.۹ to ۲۸.۱ for S۲ and zero to ۱۰۰ for S۳ (purified β-glucan). The major components of Z. multiflora were carvacrol (۶۱%) and thymol (۲۵%). Phagocytosis index means exhibited significant increases at day ۴ (۲۴۶%, ۱۶۵% and ۳۶۷%) and day ۷ (۲۴۲%, ۲۳۵% and ۳۰۹%) in mice treated with purified β-glucan, Z. multiflora essence, and their complex when compared to control mice, respectively (P < ۰.۰۵).Conclusion: The results suggest that the complex of β-glucan and Z. multiflora oil might be used to immunize individuals as prophylactic and/or therapeutic adjuvant in immunocompromised subjects.