Abstract
Soy isoflavone aglycones (IFAs) have a wide range of biological actions that suggest they may be of use in cancer prevention. On the other hand, a branched β-glucan from Sparassis crispa (SCG) is a major 6-branched 1,3-β-D-glucan in an edible/medicinal mushroom: Sparassis crispa showing antitumor activity. We have previously reported that both oral and intraperitoneal administration of SCG enhanced the hematopoietic response in cyclophosphamide (CY)-induced leukopenic mice. In this study, we investigated the hematopoietic response due to IFA in combination with SCG in CY-induced leukopenic mice. The oral administration of IFA in combination with SCG synergistically enhanced the number of white blood cells, and increased spleen weight. Analyzing the leukocyte population by flow cytometry, the combination of IFA and SCG increased the number of monocytes and granulocytes in the spleen. Taken together, the combination of IFA and SCG synergistically provides the hematopoietic responses that are enhanced over IFA or SCG alone.
