Effect of oral supplementation of bamboo grass leaves extract on cellular immune function in dairy cows

Abstract

Beta glucans extracted from bamboo (Sasa sensanensis) grass leaves are known to have an immune-modulatory effect in animals. These glucans have been used for the treatment of diseases such as viral infections, inflammation, and cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immuno-modulatory effect of SanSTAGETM (pure compounds obtained from the bamboo grass leaves; 25% of bamboo grass extract and 75% of dextrin) on peripheral blood leukocyte population and mRNA expression of immune related molecules of 20 dairy cows. Ten cows were orally administered 30 mg/kg/day of SanSTAGETM for first two weeks; the other 10 cows were control without supplementation. The blood samples were collected in tubes containing dipotassium-EDTA for analysis of leukocyte population, and in tubes containing heparin for analysis of cytokine production. Cows supplemented with SanSTAGETM showed an increased number of CD8+ T cells and expression of perforin (cytotoxicity factor to virally infected cells) and MX-2 (anti-virus factor). The study describes for the first time that oral administration of supplement extracted from Kumaizasa bamboo grass leaves affects cellar immune function of dairy cows, and can be recommended as part of diet for prevention of infectious diseases.