• 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.

• 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 Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.144-148
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• 2018

Background: Panax ginseng is a well-known immune modulator, and there is concern that its immune-enhancing effects may negatively affect patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by worsening symptoms or increasing the risk of adverse effects from other drugs. In this randomized, crossover clinical trial, we evaluated the impact of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on disease activity and safety in RA patients. Methods: A total of 80 female RA patients were randomly assigned to either the KRG (2 g/d, n = 40) treatment or placebo (n = 40) groups for 8 wk, followed by crossover to the other treatment group for an additional 8 wk. The primary outcome was the disease flare rate, defined as worsening disease activity according to the disease activity score 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). The secondary outcomes were development of adverse events (AEs) and patient reported outcomes. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and 8 wk and 16 wk. The outcomes were compared using the Chi-square test. Results: Of the 80 patients, 70 completed the full study. Their mean age was 51.9 yr, and most exhibited low disease activity (mean DAS28-ESR $3.5{\pm}1.0$) at enrollment. After intervention, the flare rate was 3.7% in each group. During KRG treatment, 10 AEs were reported, while five AEs were developed with placebo; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.16). Gastrointestinal- and nervous system-related symptoms were frequent in the KRG group. Conclusion: KRG is not significantly associated with either disease flare rate or the rate of AE development in RA patients.

• Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.92-102
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• 2018

The objectives of this study were to find out the plant to enhance immune activity among 42 kinds of foods frequently consumed by the Korean elderly consisting of 5 food groups and 5 wild plants. Each sample was assessed the immunoactive effect by measuring $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ gene expression, nitric oxide and cytokine production in $RAW-Blue^{TM}$ cell. Soybean sprouts of 47 plants showed the highest $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ gene expression at the level of $1.13{\pm}0.03$ (O.D. 650 nm) and Soritae, sweet potato, banana, apple, garlic, crown daisy, cabbage and Ailanthus altissima also had high activity of $NF-{\kappa}B/AP1$ gene in $RAW-Blue^{TM}$ cell stimulated by LPS. NO production of Ailanthus altissima was significantly higher than that of other plants and 16 plants of glutinous sorghum, black rice, Seoritae, Heuktae, sweet potato, banana, apple, garlic, mungbean sprouts, spinach, crown daisy, young pumpkin, cabbage, soybean sprouts, Actinidia arguta and Aster scaber were the next best activity. The above results selected 17 out of 47 plant samples. Moreover, soybean sprouts was significantly shown to increase $TNF-{\alpha}$ ($1,509.55{\pm}1.38pg/mL$) and $IL-1{\beta}$ ($54.56{\pm}1.08pg/mL$) cytokines in comparison with RAW-Blue cell stimulated by LPS. According to the results of in vitro evaluation, the ethanol extract of soybean sprout increased the production of immune-enhancing cytokines by proliferation of macrophages. In addition, $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor activity and NO production ability were excellent, and it was selected as a material having excellent immunological activity.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.192-198
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• 2015

This study was performed in order to analyze the fibrinolytic, thrombin inhibitory, anti-oxidative, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory, and immuno-enhancing activities of the water extract and solvent fractions isolated from Grifola frondosa. Fibrinolytic activity was analyzed using the fibrin plate method, and thrombin inhibitory activity was assayed using the substrate H-D-Phe-piparg- pna. Anti-oxidative activity was estimated using the DPPH assay, and AChE inhibitory activity was measured using the spectrophotometric method. Immuno-enhancing activity was examined using the nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Cell viability was determined using the MTS assay. Fibrinolytic activities were the highest in water extract (1.55 plasmin units/mL) followed by water fraction (0.85 plasmin units/mL). The thrombin inhibitory activities of the water and ethyl acetate fractions were determined to be 76.43% and 72.59%, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of chloroform and hexane fractions exhibited values of 95.14% and 94.74%, respectively. The butanol fraction showed the highest anti-oxidative activity at 94.47%. Anti-proliferating activity against Raw 264.7 cells showed no cytotoxicity. The production of NO in Raw 264.7 cells increased up to 2-fold by adding the water fraction compared to the untreated control. These results suggest that Grifola frondosa may serve as a useful functional food for the enhancement of immune function and the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular diseases.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.199-204
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• 2002

It has been known that Ganoderma lucidum and Lentinus edodes have anticancer activity and immune enhancing activity. These two mushrooms were grown in liquid culture and harvested. From these mycelia, DNA was isolated and EtBr-CsCl density gradient ultracentrifugation was performed to purify it further. Then mitochondrial DNA was isolated by bisbenzimide-CsCl density ultracentrifugaton. Mitochondrial DNA of Ganoderma lucidum was digested by restriction enzymes, EcoR I, Hind Ⅲ, and Pst I, then electrophoresed. It showed 12, 22, 4 fragments. Mitochondrial DNA of Lentinus edodes was digested by EcoR I. Electric pattern showed 6 fragments. 4 fragments had appeared by Pst 1 digested mitochondrial DNA. Hind ill couldn't digest mitochondrial DNA of Lentinus edodes. Mitochondrial DNA of fusants was isolated to compare to those of parents. The results showed that fusant P₂S₄has new, recombined mitochondrial DNA. But P₂S₄had the same DNA that Ganoderma lucidum had.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.55-58
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• 2011

Certain lactic acid bacteria have anti-tumor activity, especially colon cancer. The fermented milk products containing that kind of lactic acid bacteria have to be recommended for human health as excellent health functional foods. This paper have been classified by 5 regions on the functions of lactic acid bacteria related to prevention of colon cancer. 1) Enhancing of host's immune response; Production of cytokines. 2) Binding and degradation of potential carcinogens; Binding and degradation of mutagenicity. 3) The changes of intestinal microflora and production of antitumorigenic or antimutagenic compounds; Production of azoxymethane. 4) Alteration of the metabolic activity of intestinal microflora; Decrease of harmful enzymes in intestinal tract. 5) Alteration of physicochemical conditions in the colon; Decrease of pH and bile acids contents.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.597-605
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• 2020

The diatom Melosira nummuloides is a microalga that is widely distributed in freshwater and seawater is used is used in the production of silicon and fucoxanthin. The objective of this experimental study was to determine the effects of diatom powder on the physiology of olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. In four feeding groups consuming 0%, 1%, 2% and 3% diatom powder. After 8 weeks of feeding, we investigated P. olivaceus growth rate, feed efficiency rate, survival rate, anti-oxidant enzyme rate, non-specific immune activity and immune gene expression. The rates of growth rate, feed efficiency rate and survival were significantly higher for olive flounder in all diatom groups than in the control. The results for anti-oxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase and catalase showed no significance, but glutathione was significant, depending on the concentration of diatom addition. The galectin and lysozymes of immune genes were increased in the control group. Galectin and lysozymes were thought to have increased due to infections by from pathogens during the experiment period. These results suggest that the addition of diatoms to olive flounder diets is effective in enhancing growth rate and innate immunity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.826-831
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• 1999

${\beta}-Glucan$, one of the major cell wall components of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is known to enhance the immune function, especially by activating macrophages. Accordingly, in an effort to develop a safe and efficient immune stimulatory agent, we prepared crude ${\beta}-glucan$ (glucan-p1) and partially purified ${\beta}-glucan$ that was free of mannoproteins (glucan-p2), and evaluated their effect on both the macrophage function and resistance to E. coli-induced peritonitis. To investigate the function of the macrophages, phagocytosis, $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion, oxygen burst, and the expression of cytokine genes such as $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-12 were analyzed. Glucan-p2 markedly stimulated the macrophages with all these parameters. Glucan-p1, however, did not stimulate phagocytosis, yet it induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion, oxygen burst, and the expression of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-12, although less efficiently than glucan-p2. Finally, to test the in vivo protective effect of {\beta}-glucan against infection, the survival of mice from E. coli-induced peritonitis was investigated. After 24 h of the peritoneal challenge of E. coli, all of the mice treated with glucan-p2 survived whereas none survived in the control group. Glucan-p1 showed only a marginal effect in protecting the mice. These results suggest that mannoprotein-free gluean-p2, but not gluean-p1, can serve as an effective immune-stimulating agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.743-750
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• 2012

A tissue cultured wild ginseng (TCWG) suspension was inoculated with lactic acid bacteria and fermented to improve the functionality of TCWG. The utilization of TCWG was increased directly using the freeze-dried powder. The optimal ratio of TCWG powder and water for fermentation was 1:19 (5%), which was selected by measuring the fluidity and viable cell count according to concentration. The effects on ADH activation and immune cell activation by each ferments with 10 kinds of Lactobacillus sp. strains were examined. The ferments with the Lactobacillus casei KFRI 692 strain showed 5.4 times higher ADH activity and 1.3 times higher ALDH activity than the non-fermented TCWG powder (control). The level of NO production and cytotoxicity was also measured by Raw 264.7 cells. The ferment with the Lac. casei KFRI 692 strain showed the highest level of NO production and lower cytotoxicity than the others. Therefore, the Lac. casei KFRI 692 strain was selected as a strain for fermentation of a TCWG suspension to maximize its functionality. To identify the optimal fermentation time of the selected Lac. casei KFRI 692 strain on the 5% TCWG suspension, the viable cell count of lactic acid bacterial and the changes in pH were observed for 72 hours. 24-hrs was found to be the optimal fermentation time. In this way, fermented TCWG with lactic acid bacteria showed higher ADH activation efficacy and immune cell activation than non-fermented TCWG.