PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a treating or prophylaxis agent for allergy disease by using a high-molecular fraction of hot water extract of Grifola gargal.SOLUTION: Using a hot water extract of Grifola gargal mushroom(GF), a low-molecular fraction of GF(GLF) and a high-molecular fraction of GF(GHF), the cytokine production of immune response cells was examined. Also the GF, the GLF or the GHF were administered to bronchial asthma model mice to study the influence on hypersensitivity of respiratory tract or immune function in the spleen, BALF and the plasma. As a result, the GHF of Grifola gargal enhanced cytokine production and proliferation of immunocompetent cells (regulatory T cell). In the asthma model mouse, the GHF showed strong inhibition of IgE, IgG and MCP-1, improved allergy symptoms and hypersensitivity of the respiratory tract, and inhibited excessive secretion of mucus in the lung tissue.
