• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.638-644
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• 2022

Probiotics modulate the gut microbiota, which in turn regulate immune responses to maintain balanced immune homeostasis in the host. However, it is unclear how probiotic bacteria regulate immune responses. In this study we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of heat-killed probiotics, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KC3 (LP3), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CKDB008 (LP8), and Limosilactobacillus fermentum SRK414 (LF4), via phagocytosis, nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages. We thus found that heat-killed LP8 could promote the clearance of foreign pathogens by enhancing the phagocytosis of macrophages. Treatment with heat-killed LP8 induced the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. In addition, heat-killed LP8 suppressed the production of NO and cytokines in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, suggesting that heat-killed LP8 exerts immunomodulatory effects depending on the host condition. In sum, these results indicate that heat-killed LP8 possesses the potential for immune modulation while providing a molecular basis for the development of functional probiotics prepared from inactivated bacterial cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1146-1153
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• 2022

Many probiotic species have been used as a fermentation starter for manufacturing functional food materials. We have isolated Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LDTM 8102 from the feces of infants as a novel strain for fermentation. While Glycine max has been known to display various bioactivities including anti-oxidant, anti-skin aging, and anti-cancer effects, the immune-modulatory effect of Glycine max has not been reported. In the current study, we have discovered that the extract of Glycine max fermented with B. animalis subsp. lactis LDTM 8102 (GFB 8102), could exert immuno-modulatory properties. GFB 8102 treatment increased the production of immune-stimulatory cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages without any noticeable cytotoxicity. Analysis of the molecular mechanism revealed that GFB 8102 could upregulate MAPK2K and MAPK signaling pathways including ERK, p38, and JNK. GFB 8102 also increased the proliferation rate of splenocytes isolated from mice. In an animal study, administration of GFB 8102 partially recovered cyclophosphamide-mediated reduction in thymus and spleen weight. Moreover, splenocytes from the GFB 8102-treated group exhibited increased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production. Based on these findings, GFB 8102 could be a promising functional food material for enhancing immune function.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study was to provide the information about Bojungikki-tang by domestic papers and theses. Method : Domestic papers related to Bojungikki-tang were reviewed and analyzed. These papers were classified by year, research method, experimental method, and subject. Result : The following results were obtained in this study. 1. The study of Bojungikki-tang started from 1984 and continued steadily. 2. The domestic papers about Bojungikki-tang were 47 volumes. Among them, there were 26 volumes since 2000. 3. Classified by research method from the year 2000, 20 experimental studies, 4 clinical experiments, and 2 documentary researches. 4. Classified by experimental method from the year 2000, 10 studies used mouse in vivo experiment and 4 studies used rat in vivo experiment and 6 studies used each cell in vitro experiment. 5. Classified by subject from the year 2000, papers related to immune enhancing effect, nerve and mental system, radiation protection effect, anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, remedy of diabetes, skin protection and so on. Conclusion : Many papers of experimental studies, clinical experiments and documentary researches related Bojungikki-tang are included in domestic journals. Bojungikki-tang is being researched variously in immune enhancing effect, nerve and mental system, radiation protection effect, anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, remedy of diabetes, skin protection and so on. However, more clinical studies on Bojungikki-tang are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.603-608
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• 2014

Pleurotus ostreatus have been used as a traditional remedy and food source. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation effects have been previously reported. The production of cytokines (IL-$2{\beta}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$) secreted by LPS- and non LPS-stimulated macrophages, were detected by ELISA assay using a cytokine kit. Mouse splenocytes proliferation increased with Pleurotus ostreatus water extracts supplement at 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ after a 48hr pre-treatment with the mitogen (ConA or LPS). The cytokine production (IL-$2{\beta}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$), measured by a cytokine ELISA kit, increased on water extracts supplementation. This in vitro study suggested that supplementation with Pleurotus ostreatus water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing cytokine production.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.452-457
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• 2016

If human body is exposed to the continuous stress, it becomes allostasis load which is the condition of homeostasis broken. Its evolutional ecologic point of view and the relation with chiljeongsnag which is a theory in Oriental Medicine were investigated. Upon evolutional ecologic point of view by Maynard Smith, people can be divided by Hawks and Doves resulting in different types of allostasis in response of the stress. Hawks people who are active and aggressive get easily anger in the stressful situation to be vulnerable to the inflammatory hepatic diseases by enhancing Th1 immune system. On the other hand, Doves people who are passive and calm get easily depressed with sadness in the stressful situation to be vulnerable to the allergic pulmonary diseases by enhancing Th2 immune system. According to constitution theory of Oriental Medicine, Yangin and Eumin show the different features of responses to the stress generating Chiljeongsang. With excessive stress continuously, Yangin consider the feeling of anger mainly resulting in Qi reversal and liver damage, while Eumin consider the feeling of sadness mainly in consumption of Qi and lung damage. Hawks and Yangin, and Doves and Eumin show the common behaviors in response to the stress demonstrating the similar features including allostasis load and Chiljeongsang. In the clinical practices with the stressful patients, the viewpoint to consider the behaviors and feelings of the subjects to receive the stress simultaneously can be the new approaching method in Psychosomatic Medicine.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.176-182
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• 2006

Sorghum bicolor L. Moench(Sorghum, Su-Su) is a major cereal food crop used in many parts of the world. It is used as a human food resource and folk medicines in Asia and Africa. The stem of sorghum has been used as a digestive aid and an anti-diarrheal agent. Sorghum hybrids contain high levels of diverse phenolic compounds that may provide health benefits. High levels of polyflavanols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and other antioxidant compounds have been reported in sorghums, which have also been shown to possess various biological activities such as anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activities. In an in vitro experiment, we examined mice splenocyte proliferation and production of three types of cytokine($IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$) by peritoneal macrophages cultured with ethanol and water extracts of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench. A single cell suspension of splenocytes was prepared and the cell proliferation of the splenocytes was examined by MTT assay. The splenocyte proliferation was increased when water extracts of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench were used as supplements in all concentrations investigated. The production of cytokine($IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$) by activated peritoneal macrophage was detected by ELISA using the cytokine kit. $IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ production by activated macrophages were increased by supplementation with Sorghum bicolor L. Moench water extracts. This study suggests that supplementation of with Sorghum bicolor L. Moench water extracts may enhance immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing the cytokine production by activated macrophages in vitro.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2014

The highly pathogenic (HP) H5N1 influenza virus is endemic in many countries and has a great potential for a pandemic in humans. The immune-enhancing prowess of ginseng has been known for millennia. We aimed to study whether mice and ferrets fed with Red Ginseng could be better protected from the lethal infections of HP H5N1 influenza virus than the infected unfed mice and ferrets. We fed mice and ferrets with Red Ginseng prior to when they were infected with HP H5N1 influenza virus. The mice and ferrets fed with a 60-day diet containing Red Ginseng could be protected from lethal infections by HP H5N1 influenza virus (survival rate of up to 45% and 40%, respectively). Interferon-${\alpha}$ and -${\gamma}$ antiviral cytokines were significantly induced in the lungs of mice fed Red Ginseng, compared to mice fed an unsupplemented diet. These data suggest that the diet with the immune-enhancing Red Ginseng could help humans to overcome the infections by HP H5N1 influenza virus.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.655-663
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng is known to exhibit immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties. The immune-enhancing effects of the nonsaponin fraction (NSF) of Korean Red Ginseng have been studied in many reports. However, the gastroprotective effect of this fraction is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate the activities of NSF for gastrointestinal protection and its related critical factor. Methods: The in vitro and in vivo regulatory functions of NSF on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) messenger RNA and protein levels were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting analyses. Gastroprotective effects of NSF were investigated by histological score, gastric juice pH, and myeloperoxidase activity on indomethacin-induced, cold stress-induced, and acetylsalicylic acid-induced gastritis and dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in in vivo mouse models. Results: NSF did not show cytotoxicity, and it increased COX-1 messenger RNA expression and protein levels in RAW264.7 cells. This upregulation was also observed in colitis and gastritis in vivo models. In addition, NSF treatment in mice ameliorated the symptoms of gastrointestinal inflammation, including histological score, colon length, gastric juice pH, gastric wall thickness, and myeloperoxidase activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that NSF has gastroprotective effects on gastritis and colitis in in vivo mouse models through COX-1 upregulation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.99-109
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• 2006

Objectives : To investigate whether cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 has any immune-enhancing effect in normal rats. Methods : Effects of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 on blood cell counts, cell composition, cytokine and plasma protein levels were investigated in normal rats. Results : Red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels significantly increased in cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups compared with those of the normal group. There was, however, no significant difference in white blood cell (WBC) count and WBC differential count between the normal group and the pharmacopuncture groups. Cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups had significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ and interleukin-6 (IL-6) than the normal group while no significant difference between groups was found in interleukin-$1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\beta})$ level. Total protein and albumin levels were not different between groups. Conclusions : The results suggest that cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 may have no immune-enhancing effect in normal rats.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.396-412
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and the efficacy and safety of Korean medicine treatment. Methods: This study was conducted on 15 patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome who visited the outpatient Allergy, Immune, and Respiratory System Department at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital from January 10, 2021 to April 10, 2022. We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 15 patients and collected clinical characteristics, Korean medicine treatments, outcome variables (Numeral Rating Scale (NRS), modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC), Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), Quality of Life Visual Analog Scale (QOL-VAS), The Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS)), adverse events, etc. Results: Of the 15 patients, seven (46.7%) were men, and the average age of all patients was 49.7±13 years. The most common symptom was cough (n=9, 60%), and it was followed by dyspnea or increased respiratory effort, fatigue, insomnia, anosmia, etc. The herbal medicine was prescribed for all 15 patients, and Saengmaek-san (n=8, 53.5%) was the most prescribed. Additionally, acupuncture and cupping were performed in four patients (26.7%) each, and electroacupuncture was applied to one patient (6.7%). As a result of Korean medicine treatment, NRS, mMRC, LCQ, QOL-VAS, and PCFS showed improvement, and adverse events were mild. Conclusions: This study presented the clinical features of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and suggested that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in alleviating related symptoms and enhancing quality of life.