Abstract: The effects of the polysaccharide (L-2) extracted from Lentinus edodes on the immune response of Sarcoma 180- bearing mice were evaluated. Mice were treated with two doses of polysaccharide L-2 (1, 10mg/kg body weight) for 10 days. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-2 (IL-2) in mice serum and TNF-α mRNA expression were determined. The concentration of TNF-α in serum increased significantly in two doses groups compared to the model control group, but IL-2 not. The level of TNF-α mRNA transcription increased significantly in two doses groups to the model control group. Results of these studies demonstrated the polysaccharide L-2 significantly promoted TNF-α production, immunity potentiating and anti-tumor effects of the polysaccharide L-2 were associated with its potentiation of TNF-α mRNA expression att het ranscriptionall evel.

Key words: Lentinus edodes, polysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-2