MGN-3 (BioBran(r)) (also known as Lentin Plus 1000) is derived from rice bran and is produced by the partial hydrolysis of the water soluble hemicellulose fraction of rice bran by carbohydrases derived from Lentius edodes mycelia. It is a biological response modifier producing an increase in natural killer cell activity in immunocompromised patient.

The aim of the study was to evaluate orally administered MGN-3 against gross pathological changes and weight loss produced by a single intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin or doxorubicin by daily oral dosing of 5 or 50 mg/kg MGN-3.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats received either vehicle or MGN-3 prior to and after a single dose of cis-platinum or doxorubicin. Rats were observed for clinical signs daily for 11 days and body weights were recorded every other day. All animals were euthanized and necropsied on Day 11. Lethality was observed only in rats receiving cisplatin (50% with cisplatin alone reduced to 10% in rats receiving MGN-3 5 mg/kg, and 40% after MGN-3 50 mg/kg).

Rats receiving MGN-3 at 5 or 50 mg plus cis-platinum or doxorubicin had a statistically significant greater weight gain than that observed with the chemotherapeutic agent alone. Rats receiving MGN-3 appeared healthier; gained weight and had a lower incidence of diarrhea and gross intestinal pathology.

MGN-3 was effective at maintaining body weight after a toxic dose of either chemotherapeutic agent and protected against gross gastrointestinal pathological changes and diarrhea. MGN-3 may have potential for improving “quality of life” of patients receiving chemotherapy.