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The Immunomodulatory Activity of Mori folium, the Leaf of Morus alba L., in RAW 264.7 Macrophages in Vitro

  • Kwon, Da Hye (Anti-Aging Research Center) ;
  • Cheon, Ji Min (Department of Food and Nutrition, Dongeui University) ;
  • Choi, Eun-Ok (Anti-Aging Research Center) ;
  • Jeong, Jin Woo (Anti-Aging Research Center) ;
  • Lee, Ki Won (Bio-Port Korea Inc., MarineBio-industry Development Center) ;
  • Kim, Ki Young (Bio-Port Korea Inc., MarineBio-industry Development Center) ;
  • Kim, Sung Goo (Bio-Port Korea Inc., MarineBio-industry Development Center) ;
  • Kim, Suhkmann (Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University) ;
  • Hong, Su Hyun (Department of Biochemistry, Dongeui University College of Korean Medicine) ;
  • Park, Cheol (Department of Molecular Biology, Dongeui University) ;
  • Hwang, Hye-Jin (Department of Food and Nutrition, Dongeui University) ;
  • Choi, Yung Hyun (Anti-Aging Research Center)
  • Received : 2016.09.02
  • Accepted : 2016.09.04
  • Published : 2016.09.30

Abstract

Background: Immunoregulatory elements have emerged as useful immunotherapeutic agents against cancer. In traditional medicine, Mori folium, the leaf of Morus alba L. (Moraceae), has been used for various medicinal purposes; however, the immunomodulatory effects have not been fully identified. We evaluated the immunoenhancing potential of water extract of Mori folium (WEMF) in murine RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods: RAW264.7 cells were treated with WEMF for 24 hours and cell viability was detected by an MTT method. Nitric oxide (NO) levels in the culture supernatants were assayed using Griess reagent. The productions of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and immune-related cytokines was measured using ELISA detection kits. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Inducible NO synthase, COX-2, and cytokines were assayed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The effect of WEMF on phagocytic activity was measured using a Phagocytosis Assay Kit. Results: WEMF significantly stimulated the production of NO and $PGE_2$ as immune response parameters at noncytotoxic concentrations, which was associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase and COX-2. The release and expression of cytokines, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10, were also significantly increased in response to treatment with WEMF. Moreover, WEMF promoted the macrophagic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells and the resulting phagocytosis activity. Conclusions: WEMF has the potential to modulate the immune function by regulating immunological parameters. Further studies are needed to identify the active compounds and to support the use of WEMF as an immune stimulant.

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Acknowledgement

Grant : Omics based on fishery disease control technology development and industrialization

Supported by : Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs