Immunotherapy of the Hairy Bracket fungus
Trametes hirsuta was used for centuries for its medicinal properties. Its mycelium, which is a by-product, is used to make laccase. The chemical composition of the dried mushroom bracket contained a significant amount of protein, a small amount of fat, a most considerable amount of carbohydrates, and a tiny portion of ash. It was also filled with 16 free amino acids and 6'-nucleotides. Evaluation of immunomodulatory effects of the Trametes hirsuta mycelium on mice revealed that it could improve the function of macrophage phagocytic cells- a type of white blood cells, and serum hemolysins concentrations and enhance the rates of the spleen index and the thymus index.
