Nutrition Research and Practice

The Korean Nutrition Society (한국영양학회)
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Effect of onion (Allium cepa L.) peel extract on natural killer cell and cytokines in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

  • Hyunji Cho (Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University) ;
  • Sohui Kim (Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University) ;
  • Sung hyen Lee (National Institute of Agricultural Science) ;
  • Yongsoon Park (Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University)
  • Received : 2023.12.11
  • Accepted : 2024.01.04
  • Published : 2024.02.01
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Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Onion, particularly onion peel, is a quercetin-rich food with, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, the effect of onion peel extract (OPE) in humans is unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether OPE improves natural killer (NK) cell activity and cytokine concentration in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Eighty participants aged 19-64 yrs old with a white blood cell count of 4,000-10,000 cells/µL, symptoms of upper respiratory infection at least once within the previous 12 mon, and perceived stress scale (PSS) over 14 were included. Participants were randomly assigned to take either 1,000 mg/day OPE or a placebo for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Compliance were 87.4 ± 8.6% and 86.9 ± 79.0% in OPE and placebo groups. Compared to the placebo, OPE supplementation improved "Hoarseness" (P = 0.038) of the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS)-21 symptom, and stress scores (P = 0.001; 0.021) of PSS. Supplementation of OPE had no significant effect on NK cell activity and concentrations of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-1β, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α. At baseline, the WURSS-21 symptom and PSS score (P = 0.024; 0.026) were higher in the OPE group than the placebo group. Among participants with higher than median WURSS-21 symptom score, OPE supplementation increased NK cell activity (P = 0.038). Supplementation of OPE had no significant effects on safety measurements and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that OPE supplementation improves NK cell activity in participants with moderate upper respiratory symptoms without any significant adverse effects.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.co.kr) for the English language editing. We thank the Biostatistical Consulting and Research Lab, Medical Research Collaborating Center, Industry University Cooperation Foundation, Hanyang University for their statistical advice. Hyunji Cho is grateful for financial support from Hyundai Motor Chung Mong Koo Foundation.

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