• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.69-76
• /
• 2008

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is an endogenous phospholipid. LPC has various stimulating or modulating activities on immune cells, including lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. Studies generally revealed pro-inflammatory activities of LPC, but accumulating evidence indicates that LPC has also anti-inflammatory actions. Here we summarize immunomodulatory actions of LPC.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.7-11
• /
• 1999

A mixture of several bacterial metabolites $(Sterodin{\circledR})$ was used to study its effect on major immunocytes, in vivo and in vitro. This mixture of bacterial metabolites increased number of macrophages and neutrophils and their phagocytic activity in experimental animals for a transient period. BSA induced antibody production was found to be higher in the drug treated group. These results indicated that the bacterial metabolites probably acted through non-specific defence mechanism against invading organisms and the chance of reinfection was reduced.

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

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.224.2-225
• /
• 2003

Ginsenoside, major components of ginseng have been reported to show various biological activities including an increase of cholesterol metabolism. stimulation of serum protein synthesis, immunomodulatory effects. To explain these pharmacological actions, it is thought that ginseng saponins should be metabolized by human intestinal bacteria after they are orally administered. (omitted)

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.453-462
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), an oriental herbal medicine, has been known to improve liver function, and has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the immune-enhancing effects of PG and its mechanism. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fermented PG extract (FPGE), which has increased platycodin D content, activates the immune response in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using Griess reagent. Cytokine messenger RNA levels of were monitored by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory actions of FPGE in RAW 264.7 cells, we have conducted luciferase reporter gene assay and western blotting. RESULTS: We found that FPGE treatment induced macrophage cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. FPGE also modulated the expression of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. The activation and phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were increased by FPGE treatment. Moreover, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, an activator of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), significantly reduced both lipopolysaccharides- and FPGE-induced NF-κB reporter gene activity. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings suggest that FPGE may be a novel immune-enhancing agent acting via AMPK-NF-κB signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.172-178
• /
• 2010

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and other proinflammatory cytokines are becoming well recognized as key mediators in the pathogenesis of many types of neuropathic pain. Thalidomide has profound immunomodulatory actions in addition to their originally intended pharmacological actions. There has been debate on the analgesic efficacy of opioids in neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of thalidomide and morphine on a spinal nerve ligation model in rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100-120 g were used. Lumbar (L) 5 and 6 spinal nerve ligations were performed to induce neuropathic pain. For assessment of mechanical allodynia, mechanical stimulus using von Frey filament was applied to the paw to measure withdrawal threshold. The effects of intraperitoneal thalidomide (6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively) and morphine (3 and 10 mg/kg, respectively) were examined on a withdrawal threshold evoked by spinal nerve ligation. Results: After L5 and 6 spinal nerve ligation, paw withdrawal thresholds on the ipsilateral side were significantly decreased compared with pre-operative baseline and with those in the sham-operated group. Intraperitoneal thalidomide and morphine significantly increased the paw withdrawal threshold compared to controls and produced dose-responsiveness. Conclusions: Systemic thalidomide and morphine have antiallodynic effect on neuropathic pain induced by spinal nerve ligation in rat. These results suggest that morphine and thalidomide may be alternative therapeutic approaches for neuropathic pain.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.35-41
• /
• 2013

Metformin is widely used for T2D therapy but its cellular mechanism of action is undefined. Recent studies on the mechanism of metformin in T2D have demonstrated involvement of the immune system. Current immunotherapies focus on the potential of immunomodulatory strategies for the treatment of T2D. In this study, we examined the effects of metformin on the antigen-presenting function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Metformin decreased both MHC class I and class II-restricted presentation of OVA and suppressed the expression of both MHC molecules and co-stimulatory factors such as CD54, CD80, and CD86 in DCs, but did not affect the phagocytic activity toward exogenous OVA. The class II-restricted OVA presentation-regulating activity of metformin was also confirmed using mice that had been injected with metformin followed by soluble OVA. These results provide an understanding of the mechanisms of the T cell response-regulating activity of metformin through the inhibition of MHC-restricted antigen presentation in relation to its actions on APCs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.239-247
• /
• 2018

In recent years, several therapeutic drugs have been rationally designed and synthesized based on the novel knowledge gained from investigating the actions of biologically active chemicals derived from foods, plants, and medicinal herbs. One of the major advantages of these naturalistic chemicals is their ability to interact with multiple targets in the body resulting in a combined beneficial effect. Ginseng is a perennial herb (Araliaceae family), a species within the genus Panax, and a highly valued and popular medicinal plant. Evidence for the medicinal and health benefits of Panax ginseng and its components in preventing neurodegeneration has increased significantly in the past decade. The beneficial effects of P. ginseng on neurodegenerative diseases have been attributed primarily to the antioxidative and immunomodulatory activities of its ginsenoside components. Mechanistic studies on the neuroprotective effects of ginsenosides revealed that they act not only as antioxidants but also as modulators of intracellular neuronal signaling and metabolism, cell survival/death genes, and mitochondrial function. The goal of the present paper is to provide a brief review of recent knowledge and developments concerning the beneficial effects as well as the mechanism of action of P. ginseng and its components in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.309-319
• /
• 2019

Phytochemicals which exist in various plants and fungi are non-nutritive compounds that exert numerous beneficial bioactive actions for animals. In recent years following the restriction of antibiotics, phytochemicals have been regarded as a primal selection when dealing with the challenges during the producing process in the poultry industry. The selected fast-growing broiler breed was more fragile when confronting the stressors in their growing environments. The disruption of oxidative balance that impairs the production performance in birds may somehow be linked to the immune system since oxidative stress and inflammatory damage are multi-stage processes. This review firstly discusses the individual influence of oxidative stress and inflammation on the poultry industry. Next, studies related to the application of phytochemicals or botanical compounds with the significance of their antioxidant and immunomodulatory abilities are reviewed. Furthermore, we bring up nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) for they are respectively the key transcription factors involved in oxidative stress and inflammation for elucidating the underlying signal transduction pathways. Finally, by the discussion about several reports using phytochemicals to regulate these transcription factors leading to the improvement of oxidative status, heme oxygenase-1 gene is found crucial for Nrf2-mediated $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibition.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.323-329
• /
• 2007

We investigated the immunomodulatory actions of water extract from Acanthopanax senticosus in male ICR mice. The mice were treated with fermented milk containing three added doses of freeze dried extract: 3 mg/kg (A), 9 mg/kg (B), and 27 mg/kg (C) of body weight with Acanthopanax senticosus: Codonopsis lanceolata (8:2) for 7 and 10 weeks, respectively. Organ weights, plaque-forming cell tests, agglutination tests, IgG tests, differential white cell counts, and histological tests were performed at the 7th and 10th weeks of dietary treatment. There were no significant differences in body weight and organ weight. The spleen indices of group B at 7 weeks and group C at 10 weeks were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). For the plaque-forming cell test, groups B and C at 7 weeks, and group C at 10 weeks, showed significant increases over the control group (p<0.05). The agglutination test decreased with an extended experimental period. Groups A, B, and C at 7 weeks, and groups B and C at 10 weeks, had greater antibody responses to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) than the control group. The IgG antibody production of group C at 7 weeks and groups B and C at 10 weeks were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). In groups B and C, lymphocyte percentage was higher than the control group, and their spleen and thymus tissues showed active immune reactions.