• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2022

Natural products are important sources for drug development because they have a wide variety of useful biological properties. Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) has been used as an herbal medicine for treatment of colds, pain, and anemia. The present study was designed to evaluate the regulatory effect of AGN on immune enhancement in vivo and in vitro. To investigate the immune-enhancing effect of AGN, we used forced swimming test (FST) experimental model. Mice were orally administered by AGN or distilled water for 14 days and then immobility time and biological parameters in serum were measured. The results showed that immobility time in AGN treatment group was significantly reduced in comparison with the control group. Plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen and lactate dehydrogenase in AGN group was significantly decreased compared with control group. Additionally, we showed that AGN treatment significantly increased immune-related cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-2, and interferon (IFN)-𝛾 levels in Molt-4 cells. Collectively, the findings provide experimental evidence that AGN may be effective in improving immune function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.456-477
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• 2024

Background: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both require long-term management, and patients with asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) need comprehensive and prolonged care beyond pharmacotherapy. However, due to limited research on ACO, treatment strategies and long-term outcomes remain unclear. This highlights the need for further multidisciplinary research to improve ACO treatment and prognosis. Case Presentation: This case report describes a patient who presented with symptoms of cough, sputum, wheezing, dyspnea, and oral dryness. The patient was diagnosed with ACO and received a combination of Korean medicine treatments alongside standard asthma medication for 15 days. Standardized tools were used to evaluate symptoms and quality of life, respectively. After treatment, Medical Research Council scale, Leicester cough questionnaire Korean-Version and Numerical Rating Score demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement, and Total IgE and Eosinophils were slightly decreased. Conclusion: This case suggests Korean medicine treatments might be effective in managing symptoms in patients with ACO and enhancing quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.304-308
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• 2004

Immune enhancing activities of water and ethanol extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. (HP) were examined. HP extracts inhibited the growth of human hepatocarcinoma, human gastric cancer cell and human breast cancer cells in concentration-dependent mammers over a concentration range of $0.05{\sim}1.0\;mg/ml$, showing inhibiton of more than 80% with the concentration of 1.0 mg/ml. However, HP the same concentration. Overall selectivity of the extracts on the three human cancer lines was over 3.5, which is higher than those from the conventional herbs. The growth of human immune B and T cells was enhanced up to 1.4 to 2.0 folds by the addition of the extracts for 4 days, compared to controls. Ethanol extracts of HP after 6 days incubation increased the secretions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha $(TNF-{\alpha})$ from T cells and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from B cells to 6.7 pg/cell and 6.8 pg/cell, respectively. These results suggest that HP has a potent immune enhancing effect.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1351-1357
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• 2009

KH-red ginseng/chlorella (KH-RG/C) is the mixed material of the Korean red ginseng powder (Panax ginseng, 75%) and extract of Chlorella vulgaris (25%). To evaluate the effects of KH-RG/C on endurance capacity and immune regulation, the forced swimming test (FST) was conducted. The immobility time in the FST was significantly decreased in KH-RG/C treated group compared with the DW-treated group at the 3 and 10 days, respectively. In the analysis of the blood biochemical parameters, KH-RG/C treatment significantly increased the glucose level. However, the lactic dehydrogenase level decreased. Although KH-RG/C increased aspartate aminotransferase, it was not different significantly. And KH-RG/C had no affects in the alanine aminotransferase, and blood urea nitrogen levels. In splenocytes and macrophages, KH-RG/C also did not affect the interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-12 production. These results suggest that KH-RG/C may influence to immune regulation through increasing the physical endurance capacity without effect in activation of immune cells.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2022

This study will evaluate the effect of fermented Morinda citrifolia L. extracts and its marker compounds to provide baseline data for utilizing Morinda citrifolia L. as functional health products. Morinda citrifolia L. and six marker compounds were processed on RAW 246.7 macrophage to test for XTT Cytotoxicity, measure Nitric Oxide and Cyokine formation, and analyze the expression of immune marker genes. Furthermore, LPS and fermented red ginseng extract, a common functional ingredient, are used as positive controls. Our results showed that fermented Morinda citrifolia L and six bioactive compounds did not have any cytotoxic effect in all treatment concentrations and groups. Among six bioactive compounds, SCP and ASE confirmed the formation of NO. In addition, the ASE treatment group showed increased formation of IL-6 and IL-1β and the expression of iNOS and TNF-α. Also, fermented Morinda citrifolia L extract activated the macrophage by enhancing the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, and the expression of COX2 compared to Morinda citrifolia L. extracts. The result of the study showed that Fermented Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) and marker compound enhance the innate immunity activity and suggested that the bioactive compound could be applied as a marker compound. Thus, Fermented Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) could be used as functional food material to develop immunity-enhancing products, and highly functional marker compounds can be utilized as the effective components.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.341-345
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• 2024

The objective of the study is to estimate the potential of gintonin, as an immune enhancing agent through natural killer cell (NK cell) activity in cyclophosphamide (CY)-induced immunosuppressive animals. Accumulated results reveals that, gintonin attenuated CY-induced immunosuppression and it might modulate NK cell activity to boost the immunity.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2010

We describe the immune stimulatory effects of compounds determined by means of activity-monitored extraction and isolation techniques. As a result, 4-carboethoxy-6-methoxy-2-quinolone (1) and 4-carboethoxy-6-hydroxy-2-quinolone (2) were isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the Oryza sativa cv. Heugnambyeo bran, and were determined to exert significant inhibitory effects in macrophage cell line (murine RAW 264.7) and murine splenocytes. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, particularly the results obtained via hetero nuclear multiple-bond connectivity and high-resolution MS spectroscopy. Up to date, compound (1) was isolated as natural sources for the first time.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.193-201
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• 2012

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an immune disorder that is becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the world. The exact etiology of AD remains unknown, and a cure for AD is not currently available. The hypothesis that appropriate early microbial stimulation contributes to the establishment of a balanced immune system in terms of T helper type Th1, Th2, and regulatory T cell (Treg) responses has led to the use of probiotics for the prevention and treatment of AD in light of various human clinical studies and animal experiments. Meta-analysis data suggests that probiotics can alleviate the symptoms of AD in infants. The effects of balancing Th1/Th2 immunity and enhancing Treg activity via the interaction of probiotics with dendritic cells have been described in vitro and in animal models, although such an effect has not been demonstrated in human studies. In this review, we present some highlights of the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics in humans and animal studies with regard to their effects on the prevention of AD.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2015

Vaccines are the most effective and cost-efficient method for preventing diseases caused by infectious pathogens. Despite the great success of vaccines, development of safe and strong vaccines is still required for emerging new pathogens, re-emerging old pathogens, and in order to improve the inadequate protection conferred by existing vaccines. One of the most important strategies for the development of effective new vaccines is the selection and usage of a suitable adjuvant. Immunologic adjuvants are essential for enhancing vaccine potency by improvement of the humoral and/or cell-mediated immune response to vaccine antigens. Thus, formulation of vaccines with appropriate adjuvants is an attractive approach towards eliciting protective and long-lasting immunity in humans. However, only a limited number of adjuvants is licensed for human vaccines due to concerns about safety and toxicity. We summarize current knowledge about the potential benefits of adjuvants, the characteristics of adjuvants and the mechanisms of adjuvants in human vaccines. Adjuvants have diverse modes of action and should be selected for use on the basis of the type of immune response that is desired for a particular vaccine. Better understanding of current adjuvants will help exploring new adjuvant formulations and facilitate rational design of vaccines against infectious diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

Job's Tears(Yul-Moo) is a grass crop long-used as a traditional medicine; it is also a nourishing food. There are reports of its anti-inflammatory, stomachic, antiallergic activity, and antispastic effects and Job's Tears has been used in China to treat rheumatism, and neuralgia although its warts, rheumanism remains unclear. Thus, the present study was performed to investigate the in vitro effect of Job's Tears extracts on immune function. Here mouse splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production$(IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha})$ by peritoneal macrophages cultured with ethanol and water extracts of Job's Tears were examined. splenocytes proliferation increased with Job's Tears water extracts supplement at concentrations investigated The cytokine production$(IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha})$ by ELISA using a cytokine kit And $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production increased water extracts supplementation. This in vitro study suggests that supplementation with Job's Tears water extracts may enhance immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing cytokine production of activated macrophages.