• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.1521-1527
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• 2012

Medicinal herbs have long been used as a remedy for diverse diseases in Asia owing to their various pharmacological effect. In this study, the immuno-enhancing activity of medicinal herbs was investigated using macrophage cell lines. Specifically, we examined the effects of extracts of twelve medicinal herbs on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells, and selected five that were highly effective (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica gigas, Platycodon grandflorum, and Actinidia polygama) for further immune related studies. The effects of extracts from five theses medicinal herbs, which were mainly composed of polysaccharides and proteins on the production of immune-related cytokines in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line and the Molt-4 T cell line were investigated. The extracts of all investigated medicinal herbs increased the production of NO and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Additionally, they slightly increased the proliferation of T-cells when compared to the control. Overall, the result of this study suggests that the five medicinal herb extracts investigated herein are useful natural immune enhancing agents.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.411-419
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated in vitro immune-enhancing and anti-obesity activity of Abelmoschus manihot roots (AMR) in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells and mouse adipocytes 3T3-L1 cells. AMR increased the production of immunostimulatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in RAW264.7 cells. The inhibition of toll like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 blocked AMR-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway reduced AMR-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors. From these results, AMR is considered to have immune-enhancing activity through TLR2/4-mediated activation of MAPKs signaling pathway. In addition, AMR inhibited lipid accumulation and reduced the protein level such as CCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), perilipin-1, adiponectin and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) associated with lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells, indicating that AMR may have anti-obesity activity. Based on these results, AMR is expected to be used as a potential functional agent for immune enhancement and anti-obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.745-754
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• 2021

Deterioration of the immune function weakens the body's resistance to various infections, leading to a series of diseases. Immunomodulatory biomaterials have been used to reduce the side effects of immunosuppressants or to enhance immunity. Agarwood is the aromatic resinous portion of Aquilaria trees that has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of various diseases. Although previous studies have shown that agarwood can improve the body's immunity, evidence for this claim is still lacking. In this study, the immune-enhancing effects of the agarwood methanol extracts of Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk were evaluated in a RAW 264.7 macrophage model. Based on the results, the agarwood extracts markedly enhanced phagocytosis in the absence of cytotoxicity. The agarwood extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells exhibited the typical morphology of activated macrophages, which are spindle-shaped with elongated filopodia. Agarwood extract also significantly increased the production of nitric oxide (NO), which is associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase. Moreover, the secretion and expression levels of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, were increased by agarwood treatment. Notably, these are also associated with a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings provide scientific evidence that agarwood has potential immune-enhancing effects in vitro.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1671-1676
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• 2012

In this study, the immuno-enhancing activity of seed extracts were studied on the macrophage cell lines. We examined the effect of nine seed extracts on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells and selected four highly-effective seed candidates (Fagopyrum esculentum, Taraxacum platycarpum, Impatiens balsamina, Helianthus annuus) for further immune-related studies. The effects of the four seed extracts on the production of immune-related cytokines in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line and proliferation of Molt-4 as a T cell line were investigated. The secretion of NO from the RAW 264.7 cells was increased up to 39 ${\mu}M$ by adding the seed extracts (25 ${\mu}g/mL$) compared to the control. Also, the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) was also increased up to 32 times by adding the seed extracts (25 ${\mu}g/mL$). Secretion of cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) was also increased and induced the proliferation of T cells compared to the control. In conclusion, these results suggest that four seed extracts provide beneficial immuno-enhancing effects for human health.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.154-170
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• 2001

Objective : To broaden understanding about acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on AIDS and to promote base studies and clinical trials Materials and Methods : Analysis was given to more than 30 literatures including acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on AIDS-related sites explored by internet search engine named NAVER from Nov., 2000 to Feb. 20th, 2001 Results : 1. Acupuncture and moxibustion played great role as a complementary therapy in enabling AIDS patients to keep their antiretroviral therapy by enhancing immune system, ameliorating AIDS-related symptoms and side effect of antiretroviral drug 2. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy had a broad spectrum indication from systemic or local signs of AIDS patients to signs of antiretroviral drug-related side effect 3. Contraindication of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy against AIDS patients include abstraction and moxibustion on the skin lesion, because of their easy exposure to inflammation 4. AIDS patients were regarded as the state of KI-HE(氣虛), EUM-HE(陰虛), YEOL-DOK(熱毒) in general 5. BO-KI(補氣), BO-HYUL(補血), BO-EUM(補陰), CHEONG-YEOL-HAE-DOK(淸熱解毒) were shown as a principle of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for AIDS patients 6. Principle of selecting acupoints for AIDS patients had characteristics of enhancing immune system, detoxicating detrimental agents and relieving each AIDS related symptom appropriately 7. Acupuncture on 合谷(HAPKOK, LI4), 內關(NAE-GWAN, P6), 足三里(CHOK-SAMNI, S36) were applied to the early stage of AIDS in order to enhance immune system. Acupuncture on 血海(HYOLHAE, SP10), 三陰交(SAMUMGYO, SP6), (KOHWANG, B43) were applied to the intermediate stage of AIDS so as to enhance immune system and eliminate YEOL-DOK(熱毒) in blood. Moxibustion on 湧泉(YONGCHON, K1), 足三里(CHOK-SAMNI, S36) were applied to the late stage owing to enhance immune system more. Conclusion : The efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on AIDS has been acknowledged to the world, moreover, it is proved to be significant as a complementary therapy on AIDS patients. Thus, more control group studies of the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on AIDS and clinical trials are considered to be necessary.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.815-820
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• 2008

Macrophage is the important cell for the immune system. Many of herbal drugs were searched about their immune-modulating activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the biological effect of water extract from ARTEMISIAE ARGI FOLIUM (WAAF) on mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells. ARTEMISIAE ARGI FOLIUM was known to have the antibacterial, immune-enhancing, and anticoagulative properties. Cytotoxicity of WAAF was verified by MTT assay. The intracellular production of hydro peroxide ($H_2O_2$) by WAAF was examined. The productions of nitric oxide (NO) and $TNF-{\alpha}$ from Raw 264.7 cell by WAAF were also examined. WAAF showed no cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 cells for 3 hours. WAAF increased the production of $H_2O_2$ in Raw 264.7 cells. WAAF decrease the production of NO from the cells at low concentrations but increased at high concentrations. WAAF increased the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ from the cells. Therefore, It could be suggested that WAAF has the immune-modulating effect.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.23-42
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• 1991

This study were done to know the effects of Dangkiyeumja on the in vivo and in vitro immune responses of mice. The recipes of Dangkiyeumja used in this study enhanced such, cellular functions of immunocytes as phagocytic capacity of macrophages, rossett-eforming abilities of splenocytes and metabolic activities of lymphocytes, However, the same recipes decreased the formation of such reactive oxygen intermediates(ROI) as superoxide and hydrogenperoxide from the macrophages. The effects of the same recipes on the in vim immune responses was suppressive on the cellular immune response(CIR)measured by delayed-type hypersensitivity against dinitrofluorobenzene and mildly enhancing for the humoral immune response measured by antibody production against sheep red blood cells. The results of this study could be summarized as follow: 1. Administration of Dangkiyeumja enhanced the phagocytic activity of the murine macrophage. 2. Administration of Dangkiyeumja decreased the formation of ROI in the murine macrophage 3. Administration of Dangkiyeumja increased the number of the splenic rotte forming cells in the mouse. 4. Administration of DangKiyeumja did not effect the antibody production against sheep red blood cells. 5. Administration of Dangkiyeumja depressed the delayed-type hypersenitivity against dinitrofluoro benzene in the mouse. The result of this study suggest that Dangkiyeumja could ameliorate the hypersensitivity reactions by reducing the formation of ROI and decreasing the CIR without affecting the other functions of immunocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.204-209
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• 2008

The present study examined the ex vivo effect of Job's tear on immune function. Seven to eight week old mice(Balb/c) were fed a chow diet ad libitum two different concentrations (50 and 500 mg/kg BW) of water extract of Job's tear were orally administ every other day for two weeks. The results indicated that macrophage activation had occurred in the mice receiving 50 mg/kg B. W. of Job's tear water extract. Overall, using a mouse model, this study demonstrated that Job's tear extract may enhance immune function by regulating the $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-10 cytokine production capacity of activated macrophages in mice. This study may suggest that supplementation of Job's tear water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the enhancing the cytokine production by activated macrophage ex vivo.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.244-250
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• 2006

Gangliosides are receptors for various peptides and proteins including neuropeptides, ${\beta}$-amyloid proteins, and prions. Recently, the role of gangliosides in mucosal immunization has attracted attention due to the emerging interest in oral vaccination. Ganglioside GM1 exists in abundance on the surface of the M cells of Peyer's patch, a well-known mucosal immunity induction site. In the present study we identified a peptide ligand for GM1 and tested whether it played a role in immune induction. GM1-binding peptides were selected from a phage-displayed dodecapeptide library and one peptide motif, GWKERLSSWNRF, was fused to the C-terminus of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The fusion protein, but not EGFP fused with a control peptide, was concentrated around Peyer's patch after incubation in the lumen of the intestine ex vivo. Furthermore, oral feeding of the fusion protein but not control EGFP induced mucosal and systemic immune responses against EGFP resembling Th2-type immune responses.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.398-403
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• 2019

Dioscorea japonica Thunberg (DJ) has been widely used as a healthy food in Korea for the enhancement of physical stamina. Hence, the present study evaluated the immune-enhancing effect of DJ in forced swim test of mouse model. The immobility time of the group treated with DJ for 7 days was significantly reduced in comparison with that of the control group. After a forced swimming test, the changes in blood biochemical parameters and splenic T lymphocyte populations induced by the administration of DJ were assessed. Serum levels of lactic dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly decreased in DJ-administered group compared to the control group. However, administration of DJ did not affect the splenic T lymphocyte populations. Moreover, DJ significantly increased the production of interferon-g and interleukin-2 compared to the media control in splenocytes. Collectively, it may be concluded that DJ is useful for enhancement of physical and immune function.