Ganoderma lucidum KCCM 10045 which produces proteoglycan (G009) having effect of antitumor immunity

Abstract

This invention relates to a strain, Ganoderma lucidum IY 009 which produces a proteoglycan G 009 possessed of antitumoral and immunostimulating effects, separated from the said cultured strain, containing: .beta.-glucose, .alpha.-glucose, galactose, .alpha.-mannose and fructose as saccharide components, and glycine, alanine, histidine, arginine, valine, aspartic acid, threonine, isoleucine, serine, leucine, glutamic acid, tyrocine, proline, phenylalanine and methionine as protein components. The Ganoderma lucidum IY 009 is deposited under accession number KCCM 10045.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a saccharide analysis chromatogram of proteoglycan G009 according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an amino acid chromatogram of proteoglycan G009 according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an I.R. analysis diagram of proteoglycan G009 according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a microphotograph showing the mycelia of a strain IY 009 according to the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5D compare various strains of G. lucidum. 5A shows an esterase profile, 5B shows an acid phosphatase profile, 5C shows a leucine aminopeptidase profile, and 5D shows a peroxidase profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a strain which produces a proteoglycan effective in enhancing antitumor immunity.

In order to search for a new proteoglycan which has the effect of promotion of antitumor immunity, the present inventors collected a large number of basidiomycetes and attempted to separate a proteoglycan produced by those basidiomycetes. In sequel thereto, it was found that strains of the genus of Ganoderma which belongs to basidiomycetes, picked up in the area of the Dooryoon Mountains located in the South Cholla Province, produces a proteoglycan which has the effect of promoting antitumor immunity when cultured in a proper culture medium. After the produced proteoglycan was separated and its physicochemical and biophysical properties were examined, it was designated as proteoglycan G009 which has the effect of promoting antitumor immunity and the strain which produces it was designated as Ganoderma lucidum IY 009 (a number of deposition to the Korean Species Association is KFCC-107090 dated Oct. 5, 1990, and deposited under the terms and conditions of the Budapest Treaty as KCCM 10045 at the Korean Culture Center of Microoganisms, at Yongsei University, Seoul, Korea, on Nov. 22, 1990).

The present invention relates to the strain IY 009 which produces G009. Although researches have been conducted in such medicinal components as antibacterial, hallucinative, toxicant and cholesterol-lowering components from the basidiomycetes belonging to a higher fungus, earnest study is now given to an antitumor component and an immunity improvement action therefrom, and so basidiomycetes are rising in importance. Thus, those strains which secrete such matter as contains an antitumor component and improves an immunity function were separated and cultured in liquid to make a study of its pharmacological effect.

During the study, a mutant strain which has an antitumor effect and an immunity improvement function that are more excellent than the species belonging to the genus of Ganoderma which has been identified until now was separated and an in-liquid mycelia culture method was established and then the antitumor effect and immunity improvement function of those components extracted from the cultured mycelia were confirmed.

The present invention will now be described in detail according to the following example and experiments.

EXAMPLE

Separation of Proteoglycans

1) Strain

The ganoderma lucidum starins were collected in the area of the Dooryoon Mountains located in the South Cholla Province and separated with identification.

2) Preserved Culture Medium

An inclined culture medium of potato dextrose agar (PDA); 39 g of potato dextrose culture medium (Difico, USA) was made into 1 liter by dissolving it in distilled water and it was made into an inclined culture medium after high-pressure sterilization for 20 minutes at 121.degree. C.

A Culture Medium for In-liquid Culture

50 g of glucose, 20 g of peptone, 0.87 g of KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4, 0.5 g of MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O, 10 mg of FeCl.sub.2. 6H.sub.2 O, 7 mg of MnCl.sub.2.4H.sub.2 O, 10 mg of ZnSO.sub.2.5H.sub.2 O and 4 mg of ZnCl were made into 1 liter by adding distilled water thereto. It was sterilized for 20 minutes at 121.degree. C. after adjusting the pH value to 5.5.

3) Culture

The strains kept in custody were transplanted into the inclined culture media and grown for 7 days at 25.+-.1.degree. C. Then, the grown mycelia were separated in an aseptic way and put into 100 ml of culture medium for in-liquid culture and triturated with a microblender for 15 seconds. It was moved into a 500 ml-Ehrlenmeyer flask and shake-cultured for 10 days at 180 rpm and 25.+-.1.degree. C. until the mycelium formed a mature mycetome with a diameter of about 5 mm.

After the mycetome was triturated with a microblender for 10 seconds, it was inoculated at 5% (V/V) into 500 ml-triangular flask containing a 100 ml culture medium for in-liquid culture and shake-cultured for 10 days under the same conditions as stated above.

The cultured mycelia were made into species by triturating them again for 10 seconds and the 100 ml-culture medium for in-liquid culture was put into the 500 ml-triangular flask and the species was inoculated thereinto at 5% (V/V). Then, the culture was shake-cultured at 170 rpm for 7 days in an orbital shaker (the radius of revolution: 1 inch, Vision Science Co.) at 25.+-.1.degree. C.

4) Extraction and Separation of Proteoglycans

After the whole of culture-finished solution was centrifugally separated for 15 minutes by 6000 rpm, only mycelia were taken and digested into a twofold 2.5N NaOH solution. The suspension was left as it was for 24 hours at room temperature and centrifugally separated for 15 minutes at 6000 rpm. After the supernatant solution was neutralized to pH 7.4 with glacial acetic acid, it was dialyzed for 3 days with a visking tube (Sigma, USA). After dialysis, it was concentrated and twofold ethanol was added thereto. After it was left as it was for 24 hours at 4.degree. C., it was centrifugally separated by 6000 rpm for 15 minutes and a precipitate was obtained therefrom. The precipitate was dissolved in deionized water and the supernatant solution was concentrated by centrifugal concentration for 1 minute at 6000 rpm and a proteoglycan was obtained therefrom by lyophilizing the concentrated solution.

5) Purification of Proteglycan

12.5 g of precipitate taken from the above sample was dissolved in water and excessive ethanol was added thereto was dissolved in water again. After this sample solution was applied to DEAE-cellulose (Cl-form) column (3 cm.times.60 cm), it was centrifugally separated by adding the same amount of methanol to 200 ml of elution fraction obtained by elution with water and G1 (2.1 g) was obtained by washing a precitate in ethanol and dessicating it under reduced pressure. G2 (0.42g) was obtained by the decompressed dessication of a precipitate obtained after a supernatant solution (400 ml) was centrifugally separated by adding 400 ml of ethanol thereto. G3 (1.1 g) was obtained by the decompressed essication of a precipitate obtained after a supernatant solution (400 ml) was centrifugally separated by adding ethanol (800 ml) again to the supernatant solution (800 ml) remaining after G2 was removed.

G1 was eluted with by dissolving it in water and applying it to Sephatex G-100. G4 (1.5 g) was obtained by liophilizing the fraction of a tube No. 25-33 and separated by the decompressed dessication of G5 (0.3 g) including the fraction of a tube No. 34-44. After G4 was dissolved in water and the same amount of a solution mixed in the same amount was added to 0.15M cetavelon (cethytrimethyl ammonium bromide) and 0.1M borate buffer (pH 8.0), a precipitate (G7) and a supernatant solution (G6) were taken by adjusting pH to 9.0 with 0.5M NaOH. After G7 was dissolved in water by adding 2M glacial acetic acid, a precipitate was obtained by adding twofold methanol. After the precipitate was washed in methanol and aceton, it was dessicated under reduced pressure (G8). After G8 was applied to Sephararose C1-4B by dissolving it in small amount of water, it was eluted with water and G9 was obtained from a tube No. 25-30. G10 was obtained from the fractions 31-46.

Experiment 1

Anticancer Test

An activity test of fractions obtained as above was conducted as follows using sarcoma-180 cells:

The fraction was implanted at intervals of one week into the abdominal cavities of 20-25 g ICR male mice and successively transfered sarcoma-180 cells were used as experimental tumor cells.

The Sarcoma-180 cells cultured for 7 days in the abdominal cavities of those mice were taken together with abdominal dropsy. The tissue was suspended in ice-chilled sterile saline and centrifuged for 5 minutes at 4000 rpm and the pellet of cells was separated.

The separated cells were washed in a physiological saline solution three times and diluted so as to attain 1.times.10.sup.7 cells/mg. 0.1 ml of this cell suspension was transplanted using a hypodermic needle, into the left inguinal regions of a group of 10 mice.

Proteoglycans, as purified fractions, were administered to those mice for 10 consecutive days 72 hours after tumor cells were transplanted. A physiological saline solution was administered to the control group and the proteoglycans dissolved in a physiological saline solution were administered to the test group (0.1 ml at 20 mg/kg).

On the 30th day after transplantation of tumor cells, the mice were killed and the induced solid cancer was extracted. Then, average tumor weight was measured and percent tumor inhibition ratio was calculated according to the formula given below. ##EQU1## I.R.=Percent inhibition ratio CW=Average tumor weight of control group

TW=Average tumor weight of test group

As the result of an antitumor experiment conducted with sarcoma-180, G9 which was found most excellent in the control group as shown in Table 1 was picked up and designated as G009. Analysis thereof was made in the following experiments.

TABLE 1______________________________________Anticancer effects of proteoglycan in mice into whichsarcoma-180 was transplanted average weight of tumors (g)proteoglycan (Mean .+-. S.E) inhibition ratio (%)______________________________________control 4.66 .+-. 0.17G1 1.43 .+-. 0.25 69.3G2 3.54 .+-. 0.36 24.1G3 3.46 .+-. 0.39 25.7G4 1.05 .+-. 0.17 77.4G5 1.83 .+-. 0.29 60.7G6 1.62 .+-. 0.10 65.2G7 0.64 .+-. 0.22 86.2G8 0.43 .+-. 0.21 90.7G9 0.17 .+-. 0.09 96.3 G10 1.40 .+-. 0.17 69.9______________________________________

For chemical analysis of G009, the aggregate amount of saccharide was measured by Anthrone's color developing method and protein content was measured by Lowry et al's method. Then, the amino acid and saccharide composition were analyzed.

Results thereof are shown in Tables 2,3 and 4. A saccharide chromatogram is shown in FIG. 1. An amino acid chromatogram is shown in FIG. 2 and infrared analysis is shown in FIG. 3.

G.L.C. (Shimadzu GC 9A, Japan) protocol for analysis of saccharide:

Column 3% 0V-17 (80-100) (mesh shimalite) 3 mm.phi..times.1 boronssilicate glass column Temperature Column 150.degree.-180.degree. C. Gradient, Detector 190.degree. C. Flow rate N.sub.2 : 50 ml/min H.sub.2 : 60 ml/min (0.6 kg/cm.sup.2) Air: 60 ml/min (0.6 kg/cm.sup.2) Attenuation 10.sup.2 .times.2.sup.1 a.f.s (ampere full scale) TABLE 2______________________________________Total contents of polysaccharide and protein in G 009Total content polysaccharide (%) protein (%)______________________________________G 009 93 5______________________________________ TABLE 3______________________________________Content of monosaccharide in the polysaccharide part of G 009.monosaccharide Relative ratio (%)______________________________________.alpha.-glucose 45.84.beta.-glucose 41.70galactose 8.03.alpha.-mannose 3.32fructose 1.11______________________________________ Requirements for use of amino acid autoanalyzer (Beckman Sys. 6300, USA): Column: 2.6.times.200 mm Ion exchange resin: #338076 (Beckman) Flow rate: Buffer solution 0.33 ml/min Ninhydrin 0.17 ml/min Analysis cycle time: 60 min Column pressure: 2100 psi (147 Kg/cm.sup.2) Ninhydrin pressure: 100 psi (7 Kg/Cm.sup.2) Column temperature: 50.degree.-70.degree. C. Gradient N.sub.2 gas pressure: 40 psi Reaction bath temperature: 130.degree. C. Wave length: 570 nm, 440 nm TABLE 4______________________________________Total amino acid content in the protein part of G 009.Amino acids .mu.mol/ml Amino acids .mu.mol/ml______________________________________Gly 8.070 Ile 3.499Lys 4.133 Ser 2.066Ala 7.072 Leu 5.973His 1.469 Glu 11.031Thr 3.191 Tyr 1.638Arg 0.796 Pro 6.446Val 5.800 Phe 2.316Asp 9.435 Met 0.938______________________________________

Experiment 2

A Variation of Antitumor Effects According to G009 Administration Routes

G 009 was transplanted into the abdominal cavities of 20-25 g ICR male mice at intervals of one week and sarcoma-180 cells were used as experimental cells. The sarcoma-180 cells cultured for 7 days in the abdominal cavities of those mice were taken together with abdominal dropsy. The tissue was suspended in ice-cold sterile saline and the suspension was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes. The pellet of cells was separated therefrom.

The separated cells were washed three times in a physiological saline solution and diluted so as to attain 1.times.10.sup.7 cells/ml. 24 hours after 1.times.10.sup.7 cells/ml of cell suspension was transplanted into a group of 10 mice, 20 mg/kg was injected into the muscle, subcutis, under the skin and into the abdominal cavity 10 times every other day and 10 mg/kg was intravenously 5 times every other day. 0.1 ml of a physiological saline solution was also administered to the control group in the same manner. After 30 days, the weight of solid cancer was measured and compared.

As shown in Table 5, a cancerous growth was inhibited regardless of administration routes.

TABLE 5______________________________________Comparison of antitumor effects according to the administration routesAdministration Weight of tumor Inhibitionroute Number of mice (test group/control) ratio (%)______________________________________Muscle 10 0.22/4.46 95.1Subcutis 10 0.28/4.52 93.8Abdomen 10 0.18/4.72 96.1Vein 10 0.21/4.45 95.2______________________________________

Experiment 3

Life Lengthening Effects of G 009 Administration

Ehrlich ascite tumor cells (EAT) were used to measure the antitumor activity of G 009 in the living body of mice. 1.times.10.sup.6 and 5.times.10.sup.7 cells/ml of EAT were injected into the abdominal cavity. After 24 hours, G009 was dissolved in a phosphate buffer solution and 100 mg/kg thereof was administered into the abdominal cavity and mouth for 12 consecutive days. Then, the percentage of mice surviving 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 days after tumor implantation was measured.

The same amount of physiological saline solution was administered to the control group at the same time.

As shown in Table 6, administration of G 009 into the abdominal cavity and vein produced a similar antitumor effect.

TABLE 6______________________________________Life lengthening effects of G 009 administration Survival rate (%) during observing days after transplantation ofDose Number cancer cells(cells/ml) of mice 20 25 30 40 50______________________________________control 1 .times. 10.sup.6 10 100 40 10 0 0abdominal 1 .times. 10.sup.6 10 100 100 80 70 70intravenous 1 .times. 10.sup.6 10 100 90 70 60 60control 5 .times. 10.sup.7 10 100 30 0 0 0abdominal 5 .times. 10.sup.7 10 100 60 30 20 20______________________________________

Experiment 4

Anticancer Effects of G 009 in Mice Treated With Trypan Blue

G 009 was transplanted into the abdominal cavities of 20-25 g ICR male mice at intervals of one week and sucessively passaged sarcoma-180 cells were used as experimental tumor cells. The sarcoma-180 cells cultured for 7 days in the abdominal cavity were taken together with abdominal dropsy. The tissue was suspended in ice-cold, sterile saline and the suspension was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes. The pellet of cells was separated from the supernatant. The separated cells were washed three times in a physiological saline solution and diluted so as to attain 1.times.10.sup.7 cells/ml and hypodermically injected into the left inguinal region 0.1 ml by 0.1 ml.

After one day, 4 mg/kg (0.4 ml) of trypan blue was administered into the abdominal cavity. Again, after one day, 1 mg/mouse (0.1 ml) of trypan blue was injected hypodermically at intervals of three days so as to amount to a total of 13 mg/mouse.

Immediately after administration of trypan blue, 10 mg of G 009 was injected intravenously. Into the control group a physiological saline solution was injected instead of G009. Both control group and test group were comprised of 10 mice respectively. 30 days after transplantation of tumors, mice were killed and the weight of tumors was measured. Results for antitumor effects of G009 in mice treated with trypan blue are shown in Table 7. These results reveal that G 009, a component extracted according to the present invention, activates macrophages associated with antitumor effects by the treatment of mice with trypan blue, a macrophage deactivating factor, and that G 009 produces an antitumor effect by activating the function of macrophages together with the antitumor activity of T-lymphocyte.

TABLE 7______________________________________Anticancer effects of G 009 in mice treated with trypan blue. weight of tumor (g)Group (Mean .+-. S.E)______________________________________Control group 4.54 .+-. 0.26Group treated with G 009 0.14 .+-. 0.05Group treated with trypan blue 4.81 .+-. 0.19Group treated with G 009 2.69 .+-. 0.17and trypan blue______________________________________

Experiment 5

Effects produced when G 009 is administered into a newborn mouse and the mouse is treated with antithymic globulin after thymectomy

The thymectomy of a 2-day old ICR mouse was conducted according to Sjodin's method. 0.1 ml of a cell suspension of sarcoma-180 cells (1.times.10.sup.7 cells/ml) was transplanted into the inguinal region of the mouse 6 weeks after thymectomy.

24 hours after transplantation, 20 mg/kg of G 009 was injected into the muscle 10 times every other day. In order to prevent infection of the mouse which had thymectomy, water containing tetracycline-HCl was fed to it. An antithymic serum was separated according to Tadakuma's method. Thymic cells were separated by dissecting the thymus from 1 2- or 3-week old mouse and made into cell suspension in a phosphate buffer solution.

Then, 1.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml of thymic cells were injected into the vein of a rabbit three times at intervals of three weeks for immunization. After one week from the last injection, antithymic serum was taken and deactivated for 30 minutes at 56.degree. C.

After the fraction of IgG (immunoglobulin G) was separated from the deactivated antithymic serum by precipitating it with ammonium sulphate, 0.1 ml thereof was injected into the abdominal cavity of a mouse, one day after inoculation with sarcoma-180 cells, and for the next 10 days.

As to G009, 20 mg/kg was injected into the muscle 5 times every other day after one day from the transplantation of sarcoma-180 cells.

As shown in Table 8 below, the antitumor effect produced by G 009 on the thymectomized mouse was remarkably lower than on the control group. Also, the antitumor effect produced by G 009 on the group treated with antithymic globulin was reduced compared to the control group, a group pseudo-treated with normal rabbit globulin.

Thus, the results of these experiments are considered to reveal that G 009 produces an antitumor effect by activating the function of T-cells.

TABLE 8______________________________________Comparison of antitumor effects produced by administrationof G 009 after transplantation of sarcoma-180 into athymectomized newborn mouse (Experiment 1) and into a mousetreated with antithymic globulin (Experiment 2).Treatment Number Dose Wt. of tumor Inhibitionby kind of mice (mg/Kg) (Mean .+-. S.E) ratio (%)______________________________________Ex- N.M 10 -- 4.75 .+-. 0.37 --periment G 009 10 20 .times. 10 0.18 .+-. 0.06 961 T.M 10 -- 3.55 .+-. 0.55 25 G 009 10 20 .times. 10 2.70 .+-. 0.07 43Ex- N.M 10 -- 5.40 .+-. 0.31 --periment G 009 10 20 .times. 5 0.25 .+-. 0.04 952 A.T.M 10 -- 3.78 .+-. 0.59 30 G 009 10 20 .times. 5 3.16 .+-. 0.59 41 N.R.G.M 10 -- 3.26 .+-. 0.61 39 G 009 10 20 .times. 5 1.20 .+-. 0.10 77______________________________________ *N.M: Normal mouse T.M: Mouse the thymus of which was resected A.T.M: Mouse treated with antithymic globulin N.R.G.M: Mouse treated with normal rabbit globulin

Experiment 6

Effects Produced by G 009 on the Complement System

Guinea pig sera and fresh human sera were used as the source of complement. A sheep's red blood cell was used as a red blood cell. Antisheep-hemolysin was used as an antibody. Experiment on activating the complement was made as follows:

150 .mu.l of a gelatin veronal buffer solution (GVB.sup.2+) and 50 .mu.l of a sample were put into a test tube, and 50 .mu.l of the complement (100 units/ml) was added thereto.

After it was made to react for 30 minutes at 37.degree. C., the concentration of complement was adjusted to 1 unit/ml by adding GVB.sup.2+ thereto.

Sheep's red blood cells sensitized in hemolysin (2 MHU/ml) were added to 2 ml to these mixtures, and 1.0, 1.2, 1.6 units were added respectively of the complement mixture adjusted with GVB.sup.2+ solution, and the total quantity was adjusted so as to amount to 5 ml with GVB.sup.2+.

The reaction was incubated for 60 minutes at 37.degree. C. Then the cells were separated by centrifugal separation at 2500 rpm for 5 minutes. The absorbance of the supernatant was measured at 541 nm. The degree of activity was the percentage of the complement consumed by the G009-treated group compared to the control group.

As shown in Table 9, the amount of the complement consumed increased in proportion to the concentration of G 009. Such an increase can be considered to reveal that G 009 increases immunity by activating the function of the complement which is one of the important protective functions of immune system.

TABLE 9______________________________________Effects of G 009 on the activation of the compliment system Amount of the comsumed conc (.mu.g/ml) complement (%) (Mean .+-. S.D)______________________________________G 009 10 15.2 .+-. 0.59 50 27.9 .+-. 0.43 100 36.4 .+-. 0.1 200 45.5 .+-. 0.3 600 52.2 .+-. 0.7______________________________________

Experiment 7

Effects Produced by G 009 on the Weight of Organs Associated With Immunity

5 days after intravenous injection of G009 into mice at a dosage of 10 mg/kg, the lungs, the livers and the spleens were taken out and their weight was measured. Lysozyme activity was measured by absorbance at 660 nm using Streptococcus lysodeticus as a substrate in phosphate buffer (pH 6.2).

As shown in Table 10, the reason that the weight of the spleen and the degree of activity of lysozyme registered an increase in the group treated with G 009 was that G 009 activated macrophage and the activity value of lysozyme was thereby increased.

TABLE 10__________________________________________________________________________Effects of G 009 administration on the activity ofserum enzyme and on the weight of organs Number Weight Liver Spleen Lungs Lysozyme of mice (g) (%) (%) (%) (.mu.g/ml)__________________________________________________________________________No treatment 10 24.8 .+-. 1.0 6.54 .+-. 0.12 0.37 .+-. 0.01 0.56 .+-. 0.02 8.75 .+-. 0.23G 009 10 24.5 .+-. 1.2 6.60 .+-. 0.21 0.42 .+-. 0.04 0.54 .+-. 0.07 10.01 .+-. 0.48__________________________________________________________________________ *Weight of each organ is a relative value to the weight of a mouse.

Experiment 8

Effects of G 009 on the Number of Hemolytic Plaque Forming Cells

1). A group of 5 ICR male mice weighing 20-25 g was used as laboratory animals and a sample of G009 at 20 mg/kg was injected into their abdominal cavities for 5 consecutive days. 7 days after the last administration, they were immunized by injecting sheep's red blood cells into their abdominal cavities at 1.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml. Then, the spleen was taken out 4 days after sheep's red blood cells were administered thereinto.

The spleen cells were extricated by triturating the spleen with a blender together with an equilibrium salt solution chilled with ice. The extricated spleen cells were suspended in a 0.83% ammonium chloride solution and left as they were for 3 minutes at 37.degree. C. The supernatent following centrifugal separation for 5 minutes by 2000 rpm was removed. The cells were again suspended in the equilibrium salt solution chilled with, pelleted, resuspended and the number of the spleen cells was measured with a hemocytometer.

2). Sheep red blood cells suspended in Alser's solution (20.5 g of glucose, 4.2 g of sodium chloride and 8.0 g of sodium citrate were dissolved in 1 liter of distilled water and filtered (MILLIPORE.TM. (0.45 .mu.m) were washed four times in the equilibrium salt solution for 5 minutes by 2000 rpm and suspended in the same solution so as to amount to 10% in final concentration.

3). A basement plate was made by pouring 10 ml of 1.5% agar (Noble agar, Difco) into a petri dish. Again, 100 .mu.l of 1) and 100 .mu.l of sheep red blood cells of 2) were mixed into 2 ml of 0.7% agar and poured into the petri dish to attain uniform spread. After it was sensitized for 60 minutes at 37.degree. C., 2.5 ml moisture-absorbed guinea pig serum was diluted ten-fold with an equilibrium salt solution as the complement and added to the agar plate and cultured for 30 minutes at 37.degree. C. Then, the number hemolytic plaque forming cells among all spleem cells (PFC/spleen) were calculated.

As shown in Table 11 below, G 009 cause the number of spleen cells and the number of hemolytic plaque forming cells to increase remarkably. Thus, G 009 is considered to be associated with an immunostimulating action.

TABLE 11______________________________________Effects of G 009 on hemolytic plaque forming cells in the spleens ofmice immunized with sheep's red blood cellsNoumber of Number of spleen PFC/the spleen cellsmice cells (1 .times. 10.sup.7) (1 .times. 10.sup.6)______________________________________Control 5 38.6 .+-. 2.1 24.4 .+-. 11.2G 009 5 42.6 .+-. 0.11 51.0 .+-. 14.5______________________________________

Experiment 9

Immunostimulating Action

Each group comprises 10 mice. 6-week old, 20-25 g, male, ICR mice were used. G 009 was dissolved in a physiological saline solution and 0.2 ml of solution was administered into their abdominal cavities. 24 hours later, 0.2 ml of carbon suspension manufactured by mixing 1 ml of perikan drawing ink 17 black and 2 ml of physiological saline solution was injected into the veins of their tails. Then, at 1, 5, 10 and 15 minutes, 0.02 ml of blood was taken from the orbit of an eye with a hematocrit capillary tube coated with heparin and immediately diluted and hemolyzed with 1.6 ml of an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate. The absorbance of this solution was measured at 675 nm and a phagocytosis index (K value) was measured according to Halpern et al's equation. In the control group, 0.2 ml of physiological saline solution was administered to the mouse. ##EQU2## In the above equation, C.sub.o is the content of carbon powder in blood at time t.sub.o.

C is the content of carbon powder in blood at time t.

Results of these experiments are shown in Table 12 below. The index (K) of immunophagocytosis was increased in proportion to the concentration of G 009. According to those results, G 009 appears most likely to produce an immunostimulating effect by playing a part in immunoresponse.

TABLE 12______________________________________Effects of G 009 on immunostimulating action.Dose Number Index of phagocytosis (K)(mg/Kg) of mice (Mean .+-. S.E)______________________________________control saline solution 10 0.0391 .+-. 0.003G 009 5 10 0.1109 .+-. 0.025 20 10 0.1453 .+-. 0.022 50 10 0.1643 .+-. 0.008 100 10 0.1845 .+-. 0.011______________________________________

Experiment 10

Toxicity Test of G 009

Acute toxicity test of G 009 was conducted on mice, rats and rabbits and results thereof were measured after 14 days from administration of G 009.

As shown in Table 13 below, there was no mortality found through routes and species. Therefore, G 009 is a safe material remarkably low in toxicity.

TABLE 13______________________________________Results of toxicity test of G 009Tested Number of Dose Mortal- Maximumanimal mice (mg/Kg) Route ity allowance (mg/kg)______________________________________Mouse 10 100-300 i.v 0 >300 10 50-2000 i.p 0 >2000 10 50-100 i.m 0 >100 10 1000-2000 s.c 0 >2000Rat 10 100-300 i.v 0 >300 10 500-1000 i.p 0 >1000 10 50-100 i.m 0 >100 10 500-1000 s.c 0 >1000Rabbit 10 100-200 i.v 0 >200 10 100-200 i.p 0 >200 10 25-50 i.m 0 >50 10 50-100 s.c 0 >100______________________________________

Experiment 11

Comparison of Characteristics Between the Species

In order to ascertain the phylogenetic classification and physiological genetic differences of four kinds of type strains (retained by Bacteria 2 section, Agricultural Technology Institute, Office of Rural Development) found excellent as the result of a search made for an anticancer effect produced by those Ganoderma lucidum strains collected in various areas of the country, the following experiments were conducted.

Experimental Materials and Methods Used Strains, Culture Medium and Culture

The strains used for the present experiment were four strains found excellent in anticancer effect among those Ganoderma lucidum strains which grew naturally in the country and the places of collection are shown in Table 14.

Extraction of a Sample

The mycelia obtained by centrifugal separation of a liquid culture were washed three times in a phosphate buffer saline solution (pH 7.5)n and sonicated for 30 seconds under ice-cooling.

After centrifugal separation at 12000.times.g, its supernatent solution was used as a sample for electrophoresis.

Quantification of Proteins

Proteins in sample were quantified with bovine serum albumin (BSA) used as a type material and by using a protein assay reagent (Pierce Co.).

Electrophoresis

A discontinuous buffer system was used for electrophoresis. Separating gel was prepared by concentrating it to 10% C, 10% T in 240 nM Tris-Cl buffer solution (pH 8.48) and stacking gel was prepared by concentrating it to 3.125% T and 20% C in a Tris buffer solution (39.5 mM Tris, 0.064N H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, pH 6.9).

In order to solidify these gels, TEMED and ammonium persulfate were used. As running buffers, 40 mM Tris-glycine buffer solution (pH 8.8) was used at anode and 60 mM Tris-Cl buffer solution (pH 7.47) was used at cathode. 70 .mu.g of the sample was loaded on the gels and separated for 2 hours with 100V at 4.degree. C.

Gel Staining (1). Esterase (E.C. 3,1,1,1)

After electrophoresis, the gels were soaked in 0.2M phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.5) for 30 minutes. While those gels were being soaked, said solution was replaced with a new solution three times. After soaking, a color developing solution (.alpha.-naphthylacetate 20 mg, ethylene glycolmonoethyl ether 2 ml, fast blue RR salt 20 mg, 0.2M phosphate buffer 120 ml) was added thereto and agitated at 35.degree. C. in the dark place for color development.

(2). Acid Phosphatase (E.C. 3,1,3,2)

After incubating the gel in 0.1M acetate buffer solution (pH 5.2), a color developing solution (10% MgCl.sub.2 solution 6 ml, fist garnet GBC salt 70 mg, .alpha.-naphthylphosphate 80 mg, .beta.-naphthylphosphate 40 mg, 0.1M acetate buffer 100 ml) was added thereto for color development for 30 minutes at 37.degree. C.

(3). Leucine Amino Peptidase (E.C. 3,4,11,1)

A color developing solution (L-leucyl-.beta.-naphthylamide HCl 20 mg, fast blue K salt 20 mg, distilling water 50 ml, 0.2M Tris-malate buffer (pH 5.4) 120 ml) was added to the gels for color development for 30 minutes in the dark place.

(4). Peroxidase (E.C. 1,11,1,7)

After the gels were washed in water, a color developing solution (Benzidine 1%, acetic acid 9 ml, mixed solution of 1 part of benzidine solution mixed with 40 ml of distilled water, 1 part of 0.03% H.sub.2 O and 4 parts of distilled water) was added thereto for color development in the dark.

Results of these experiments were as follows:

Isozyme Pattern of Esterase

As to the esterase bands of Ganoderma lucidum, 17 bands came forth in all as shown in FIG. 1. The 5th and 15th bands were common to all strains. The esterase pattern of type strains Fr 07004, Fr 07008 and IY 005 were very similar to one another but the esterase pattern of IY 009 and IY 010 were greatly different from others.

Isoenzyme Pattern of Acid Phosphatase

As shown in FIG. 5, the acid phosphatase pattern of type strains Fr 07004, Fr 07008 and IY 005 were very similar to one another but IY 009 and IY 010 showed a different band pattern from others.

Isoenzyme Pattern of Leucine Amino Peptidase

From Ganoderma lucidum, 3 leucine amino peptidase bands came forth in all. Although those type strains Fr 07004, Fr 07008 and IY 005 showed the same pattern for the most part, IY 009 showed a pattern entirely different from them (FIG. 5).

Isoenzyme Pattern of Peroxidase

2 peroxidase bands came forth from the strain of Ganoderma lucidum and there was a great affinity among type strains Fr 07004, Fr 07008 and IY 005 (FIG. 5).

Affinity Between the Species

As shown in Table 15, an affinity between type strains Fr 07008 and IY 005 represented 93.8% and an affinity between type strain Fr 07004 and IY 005 showed 82.4%, but an affinity between Fr 07004 and IY 010 and between Fr 07004 and IY 009 registered 30.4% and 31.8%.

According to the above results, a difference of isoenzyme pattern in the same species was made due to a biochemical variation caused by a genetic mutation resultant from a difference of geographical environment and such a difference seemed most likely to be associated with the fact that every strain creates a proteoglycan different in anticancer activity.

TABLE 14______________________________________Areas wherein those strains used for the presentexperiment were collected A number of Areas wherein strainsSpecies strain were collected Note______________________________________Ganoderma Fr 07004 Office of Rural Development Type strainlucidum Fr 07008 Office of Rural Development Type strain IY 005 Kwangnung, Kyung-gi Province IY 008 Dooryoon Mountains, South Cholla Province IY 009 Dooryoon Mountains, South Cholla Province IY 010 Chiak Mountains, Kangwon Province______________________________________ TABLE 15__________________________________________________________________________Comparison of an affinity between the strains of Ganoderma lucidumaccording to the pattern esterase, leucine amino peptidase andperoxidaseA number Affinity (%)Species of strain FR 07004 Fr 07008 IY 005 IY 008 IY 010 IY 009__________________________________________________________________________Ganoderma Fr 07004 * 77.8 82.4 82.5 30.4 31.8lucidum Fr 07008 * 93.8 45.0 32.8 25.0 IY 005 * 45.0 31.8 25.0 IY 008 * 27.3 40.0 IY 010 * 25.0 IY 009 *__________________________________________________________________________

Claims

1. An isolated culture of Ganoderma lucidum KCCM 10045.