An alkaline-extracted low-molecular-weight heteroglucan from Ganoderma lucidum enhances immunity by modulating the gut microbiota

ABSTRACT:

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides exhibit various biological activities, but conventional extraction is biased toward high-molecular-weight polymers. This study aimed to explore the structure and bioactivity of low-molecular-weight polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum, referred to as AGLP1. A low-molecular-weight heteroglucan from Ganoderma lucidum was purified by alkaline extraction, membrane filtration and column chromatography. Structural characterization indicated that AGLP1, with an approximate molecular weight of 9.0 kDa, is a heteroglucan mainly composed of a 1,3-linked glucopyranosyl backbone with 1,6-linked glucopyranosyl side chains. In vivo investigations showed that AGLP1 enhanced the spleen index, macrophage phagocytic activity and proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. These immunomodulatory effects were gut microbiota-dependent, as they were reduced in microbiota-depleted mice after antibiotic treatment. Mechanistically, AGLP1 reshaped the gut microbiota and metabolite profile by enriching potentially beneficial bacteria such as Ruminococcaceae and Eubacterium brachy group, as well as associated metabolites including decanoic acid, stearic acid and pimelic acid. In vitro fermentation using a human fecal model showed that AGLP1 also increased the abundances of Ruminococcaceae and Eubacterium brachy group. These findings indicate that AGLP1 has immunomodulatory and microbiota-reshaping effects and may have potential as a functional food ingredient.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - negative - reverse-phase, Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse-phase

PROVIDER: MTBLS14649 | MetaboLights | 2026-06-18

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights