Superior immunological effects of a resveratrol/glucan/vitamin c combination

Natural products, useful in preventing and/or treating various diseases, have been sought after throughout the history of mankind. Polysaccharides in general, and glucans in particular, have a long history as immunomodulators. Recently, numerous substances have been shown to have synergistic effects with glucans. We decided to compare the biological activities of insoluble yeast-derived β1,3-D-glucan with a combination of glucan/resveratrol/vitamin C. Our data show that whereas resveratrol or vitamin C alone had only limited effects on immune reactions, the combination significantly increased the phagocytosis of peripheral blood leukocytes, specific antibody response, nitrite anion production and apoptosis. In addition, significant inhibition of cancer growth was found using two different experimental models. We can summarize that whereas resveratrol or vitamin C alone had only limited effects on immune reactions, the combination significantly increased all tested immunological reactions. Our data represent further proof that combined preparations of glucan, resveratrol and vitamin C strongly stimulate the immune reactions. We hypothesise that strong anti-cancer properties showed by the combination of these three compounds are manifested via stimulation of immune reactions and apoptosis. Data presented in this study represent further proof that combined preparations of glucan and and other natural immunomodulators strongly stimulate both branches of immune reactions. A study attempting to reveal the exact mechanisms of these effects is currently under progress.