• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.1513-1517
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• 2013

This study examined the immunomodulatory activities of apple seed extracts (ASE). The immunomodulatory effects were estimated through nitric oxide production, cytokine induction, protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the phosphylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa $B{\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. In the cytotoxicity asay, ASE (31 to $250{\mu}g/mL$) did not induce cytotoxicity; thus, the optimal concentration of ASE was confirmed to be less than $250{\mu}g/mL$. Nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6) production significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, the protein expression of iNOS and the phosphorylation of MAPKs and $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ were also increased by ASE treatment. Overall, our results suggest that extracts from apple seeds potentially have immunomodulatory activities on macrophages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.438-445
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• 2022

Laminaria japonica is a type of brown algae widely consumed in Asian countries and contains many essential nutrients and exhibits anti-obesity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of a Laminaria japonica water extract (LJE) were investigated using an in vitro model. Mean total polyphenol content of LJE was 2.16±0.11 ㎍ GAE/mg, and LJE dose-dependently inhibited ABTS radical activity but did not scavenge DPPH radicals. In addition, LJE enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production and upregulated the mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) in RAW 264.7 cells. On the other hand, LJE inhibited NO production and downregulated proinflammatory cytokine mRNA levels in endotoxin-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Thus, our data show that LJE has moderate antioxidant activity and biphasic immunomodulatory effects on RAW 264.7 cells. In summary, the study indicates that LJE has potential therapeutic use as a novel biphasic immuno-modulator.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1186-1194
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• 2022

The intake of probiotic lactic acid bacteria not only promotes digestion through the microbiome regulated host intestinal metabolism but also improves diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, and suppresses pathogenic harmful bacteria. This investigation aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects in intestinal epithelial cells and to study the clinical efficacy of the selected the Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum groups. The physiological and biochemical properties were characterized, and immunomodulatory activity was measured against pathogenic bacteria. In order to find out the mechanism of inflammatory action of the eight viable and sonicated Bifidobacterium spp., we tried to confirm the changes in the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and chemokines, (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-8) and inflammatory enzymatic mediator (nitric oxide) against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 infection in Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 cells. The clinical efficacy of the selected B. breve and B. longum group was studied as a probiotic adjuvant for acute diarrhea in children by oral administration. The results showed significant immunomodulatory effects on the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, MCP-1, IL-8 and NO, in sonicated Bifidobacterium extracts and viable bifidobacteria. Moreover, each of the Bifidobacterium strains was found to react more specifically to different cytokines. However, treatment with sonicated Bifidobacterium extracts showed a more significant effect compared to treatment with the viable bacteria. We suggest that probiotics functions should be subdivided according to individual characteristics, and that personalized probiotics should be designed to address individual applications.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.131-138
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• 2019

Objective : Sparassis crispa has been recognized for its therapeutic value since the late 20th century because of its high β-glucan content. Since then, researches have been conducted on the pharmacological effects but most of these are individual studies on the effects of β-glucan from S. crispa and the comprehensive reviews are lacking. The purpose of this study was to review the compounds composition and pharmacological effects of S. crispa. Methods : This review analyzes the papers about chemical and nutritional composition and pharmacological effects of S. crispa. The data in this review is based on selected papers after reviewing all studies containing the keyword "sparassis crispa" for PubMed, NDSL, and J-Stage published before February 2019. Results : S. crispa is composed of protein, lipids, and carbohydrates. Most of the compounds are carbohydrates and the highest content is β-glucan. More than 40% of the dried fruiting body of S. crispa is composed of β-glucan. In addition, it contains polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids and phthalide-based compounds. Broad spectrum of its pharmacological actions have been established which include immunomodulatory, anticancer, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antiobesic and neuroprotective effects. Conclusion : The most studied fields have been shown to have immunomodulatory and anticancer effects by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells and angiogenesis and increasing hematopoitic responses. Unique structure and characteristic of high molecular weight β-glucan are considered to have high immunomodulatory effects of S. crispa. And low molecular fractions or phthalides of S. crispa also have antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anticancer effects.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.408-412
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• 2004

For the evaluation of immunomodulatory effect of Korean Oldenlandiae Herb (OH) and Radix (OR), our experiment was performed with methanol extracts of Korean Oldenlandiae Herba and Radix. After administration of methanol extracts of Korean OH and OR for 7 days, Balb/C mice were immunized with sheep red blood cells. Four days later, splenic leukocytes were isolated and immunological experiments were performed. Rosette forming cells and plaque forming cells were significantly increased in Korean OH and OR treated mice compared with PBS treated control. Korean OH and OR also enhanced T and B lymphocytes, macrophage and natural killer cells by flowcytometric analysis. LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 levels were increased by OH and OR compared with untreated control. These results suggest that Korean OH and OR have immunomodulatory activity through regulation of cell-mediated immune and humoral immune response.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1287-1293
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• 2011

The extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) was isolated from mycelial cultures of Laetiporus sulphureus var. miniatus and purified by DEAE cellulose and Sephadex G-50 column chromatography. The purified EPS (EPS-2-1) was composed of only glucose units and its molecular mass was 6.95 kDa. The chemical structure of EPS-2-1 consisted of a main chain containing ($1{\rightarrow}4$)-Glcp units with branches at the C-6 position of the chain carrying-Glcp-($1{\rightarrow}4$)-linked residues. The effect of purified EPS on immunomodulatory genes and proteins of the Bcl-2 family was observed using cultured U937 human leukemia cells. Of note, the levels of Bax and Bad proteins treated with the EPS (4 mg/ml) were approximately 23- and 18-times higher than those in non-treated cells, respectively. These results may suggest that the EPS purified from the mushroom L. sulphureus is associated with the activation of immunomodulatory mediators, Bax and Bad proteins.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2007

Background: A red seaweed, Callophyllis japonica has been traditionally eaten in the oriental area. In a recent study, it has been demonstrated that the ethanol extract of C. japonica have antioxidant activity. However, there are few studies about the effects of C. japonica on the function of immune cells. We investigated the immunomodulatory effects of C. japonica on the function of dendritic cells, the potent antigen-presenting cells. Methods: Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) were used and the viability was measured by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and trypan blue exclusion test. Cytokine and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined by using ELISA and Griess reagent, respectively. The expression levels of DC surface markers were measured by flow cytometric analysis. Results: C. japonica ethanol extract did not significantly affect the DCs viability and the IL-12 production from DCs, irrespective of the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, it did not significantly change the expression of DC surface markers. However, C. japonica ethanol extract significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO production and also increased the proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes activated by DCs. Conclusion: Our data suggests that C. japonica ethanol extract enhances the proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes activated by DCs which is associated with inhibition of NO production from DCs induced by LPS.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.230-235
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• 2004

We previously reported that the phytoprotein extracted from Acanthopanax senticosus (PA) had anti-carcinogenic anti-metastatic activity via increase of inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication. In the present study investigated the immunomodulatory mechanism of phytoprotein isolated from the stem bark of Acanthopanax sentic (PA). PA was found to significantly stimulate macrophages producing TNF-α and IL-1β in vitro. It also showed tumori activity indicating that PA had the ability to stimulate macrophage directly. Moreover, PA induced the CDB/sup +/ CTL cy responses to recognize antigen on the B16-BL6 melanoma cells. Treatment of PA with B16-BL6 melanoma cells increased the proliferation of splenocytes compared with untreated control. These results demonstrate that PA immunomodulatory activity suggesting a useful anti-tumor agent applicable to treatment and prevention of cancer.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Silymarin is a flavonoid complex extracted from the Silybum marianum plant with a wide range of pharmacological and biochemical effects. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of silymarin were investigated in BALB/c mice. Silymarin was administered daily by intraperitoneal injection at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. Following the exposure, host hematological parameters, spleen cellularity and histopathological examination, as well as delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, hemagglutination titers (HA), splenocyte cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation assay were studied in all of the test groups of animals. The results showed that the low dose of silymarin (50 mg/kg) could stimulate both cellular and humoral immune functions in the treated hosts. In addition, silymarin at 100 mg/kg appeared to impact on DTH responses and lymphoproliferation. Based on the finding here, it would seem that silymarin has efficient immunostimulant properties. As a recommendation, the application of silymarin along with acupuncture technique (herbal acupuncture) can be thought as a good plan to modulate and enhance the immune system for the management of several immunodeficiency disorders. However, further studies are required to demonstrate this hypothesis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.487-493
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• 1998

In the previous study we described the antitumor effect of GLB, a protein-polysaccharide fraction separated from the growing tips of Ganoderma lucidum, against sarcoma 18 0 solid tumor in ICR mice. In this study, we separated an acidic protein-polysaccharide fraction, GLB-A, and a basic protein-polyaccharide fraction, GLB-B, from GLB by differential precipitation, and elucidated their antitumor and immunomodulatory activities. When ip injected at the dose of 50mg/kg/day into the ICR mice, GLB-A and GLB-B inhibited the growth of ip implantated sarcoma 180 cells by 32.4% and 21.0%, respectively. Of these, GLB-A increased the % lymphoblast in the spleen of the tumor-bearing and the normal mice by 20.9% and 123.0%, and the CD4/CD8 ratio by 73.3% and 22.4%, respectively. GLB-A also increased the expression of CD25 (IL-2 receptor alpha ch0ain) in normal mice by 82.0%. These results strongly suggest that GLB-A is a promising candidate for antitumor immunomodulatory medicine.