ABSTRACT
During recent field survey, two morphologically unique myco-food were collected that have ethically been praised for health promoting effects. Such customary practice tempted us to investigate on them where one taxon emerged as novel namely Russula alatoreticula K. Acharya, S. Khatua, A.K. Dutta & S. Paloi, sp. nov.; while the other specimen i.e. Russula senecis S. Imai was recorded as tribal delicacy for the first time. Alongside, water soluble crude polysaccharides were isolated from each macrofungus consisting β-glucan as the principal component. Subsequently, the fractions demonstrated strong immune-boosting property evident by augmentation of macrophage viability, phagocytosis, NO production, ROS generation and pseudopod formation. Thereafter, through RT-PCR analysis, significant increase in expression of TLR-2, TLR-4, NF-κB, COX-2, TNF-α, Iκ-Bα, IFN-γ and iNOS were observed explaining mode of action through TLR/NF-κB pathway. Thus, the results scientifically validate ethnic use of the studied mushrooms and suggest further study for development of novel nutraceuticals.
