• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.577-584
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• 2018

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a widely used traditional herbal supplement that possesses various health-enhancing efficacies. Various ginseng products are available in market, especially in the Korean peninsula, in the form of drinks, tablets, and capsules. The different ginseng types include the traditional red ginseng extract (RGE), white ginseng, and black red ginseng extract (BRGE). Their fermented and enzyme-treated products are also available. Different treatment regimens alter the bioavailability of certain compounds present in the respective ginseng extracts. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the antioxidant and immune-stimulating activities of RGE, BRGE, and fermented red ginseng extract (FRGE). Methods: We used an acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress model for investigating the reduction of oxidative stress by RGE, BRGE, and FRGE in Sprague Dawley rats. A cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression model was used to evaluate the immune-stimulating activities of these ginseng extracts in BALB/c mice. Results: Our results showed that most prominently, RGE (in almost all experiments) exhibited excellent antioxidant effects via increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in the liver and decreasing serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels compared with the groups treated with FRGE and BRGE. Moreover, RGE significantly increased the number of white blood cells, especially T and B lymphocytes, and antibody-forming cells in the spleen and thymus, and it also activated a number of immune cell subtypes. Conclusion: Taken together, these results indicate that RGE is the best supplement for consumption in everyday life for overall health-enhancing properties.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1358-1366
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• 2016

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the immune-enhancing activity of selenizing Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (sCPPS₅) in nonspecific immune response. In in vitro experiment, the results showed that sCPPS₅ could promote the phagocytic uptake, NO production, and TNF-α and IL-6 secretion of RAW264.7 cells. sCPPS₅ could also strongly increase the IκB-α degradation in the cytosol and the translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit into the nucleus of RAW264.7 cells. In the vivo experiment, sCPPS₅ at medium doses could significantly improve the phagocytic index of peritoneal macrophages and induce the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6. Moreover, the effect of sCPPS₅ was significantly better than Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPPS). These results indicated that selenylation modification could significantly enhance the immune-enhancing activity of CPPS in the nonspecific immune response.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.745-754
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• 2021

Deterioration of the immune function weakens the body's resistance to various infections, leading to a series of diseases. Immunomodulatory biomaterials have been used to reduce the side effects of immunosuppressants or to enhance immunity. Agarwood is the aromatic resinous portion of Aquilaria trees that has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of various diseases. Although previous studies have shown that agarwood can improve the body's immunity, evidence for this claim is still lacking. In this study, the immune-enhancing effects of the agarwood methanol extracts of Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk were evaluated in a RAW 264.7 macrophage model. Based on the results, the agarwood extracts markedly enhanced phagocytosis in the absence of cytotoxicity. The agarwood extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells exhibited the typical morphology of activated macrophages, which are spindle-shaped with elongated filopodia. Agarwood extract also significantly increased the production of nitric oxide (NO), which is associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase. Moreover, the secretion and expression levels of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, were increased by agarwood treatment. Notably, these are also associated with a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings provide scientific evidence that agarwood has potential immune-enhancing effects in vitro.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2005

Natural products are increasingly appreciated as a lead for drug discovery and development. A number of investigators have studied various activities of natural products and have found that they have not only nutritional effects but also beneficial properties to cure various diseases and to maintain good health. Job's Tear(Yul-Moo) is a grass crop that have long been used in traditional medicine and a nourishing food. Job's Tear has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, stomachic, antiallergic activity, and antispastic effects and has been used in China for the treatment of warts, rheumatism, and neuralgia although its mechanism remains unclear. Previous results in our laboratory demonstrated that the ethanol extract and water extract of Job's Tear exerted an immune regulatory function on mice cells in vitro. The present study was performed to investigate the ex vivo effect of Job's Tear on immune function. Seven to eight weeks old mices(Balb/c) were fed ad libitum on chow diet and water extract of Job's Tear were orally administrated every other day for two or four weeks at two different concentrations (50 and 500mg/kg B.W.). Proliferation of mice spenocytes and antibody production to sheep red blood cells(SRBC) using hemolytic plague forming cell assay were used to indicate the immune activity. Splenocytes proliferation of Job's Tear with mitogen stimulation such as Con A and LPS was enhanced at 50 mg/kg B.W. concentrations compared to those of control group. In case of antibody production to sheep red blood cells, the number of antibody- secreting cells was increased by administration of 50mg/kg B.W. concentration in mice immunized as a T-dependent antigen. From the present study, Job's Tear water extracts may be suggested to stimulate the mice immune response by enhancing the splenocytes proliferation and the number of plague forming cells.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.269-288
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• 1996

Coicis Semen is one of the oriental medicine that has been used for the treatment of the diseases such as pulmonary abscess, periappendicular abscess and wart since ancient times. However, the mechanism of the action of the drug is not well studied. This study was done to investigate the effects of Coicis Semen on the host defence mechanism. Effects of Coicis Semen on the immune responses were analysed by measuring the contact hypersensitivity, hemagglutinin, hemolysin and rosette formation, cytotoxicity, and reactive oxygen intermidiates production. As the results, water extract of Coicis Semen administration enhanced the antibodies (hemagglutinin and hemolysin) formation and the appearance of rosette forming cells of the spleen. Also Coicis Semen increased the allogeneic immune response in the mouse, showed cytotoxic activity against human leukemia cell line(K562) and decreased the contact hypersensitivity against dinitroflurobenzene. Also administration of Coicis Senlen slightly increased NK cell activity and enhanced the production of such reactive oxygen intermediates as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide from the macrophages in vivo and in vitro. The above results demonstrate that Coicis Semen has enhancing effects on cellular and humoral immune responses against disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.781-786
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• 1999

This study was designed to investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on radical scavenger activity and immune responses in female judo athletes(n=18). The age and sex matched sedentary students were used as controls(n=15). The initial plasma vitamin E concentration, lipid peroxide level and radical scavenger activity (RSA) were not different between two groups. The supplementation of $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate(400IU/d) for 4 weeks significantly increased plasma vitamin E concentration of the subjects in both groups. In addition, the decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS)(p<0.05) and enhancement of RSA(p<0.05) were observed in both groups. Percentages of total T-cells in the athletic group was lower than that in the control group(p<0.05). However, the ratio of CD4 / CD8(helper T-cal $l^pressor T-cell) was higher in the sports group, due to more decrease in CD8 subset than in CD4 subset. The concentrations of IgG and IgM in the sports group were significantly lower than those in the control group(p<0.05). Therefore, severe training of the athletic group seems to be associated with the changes of supplementation. In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation (400IU/d, 4 weeks) of the female university students improved antioxidative activities of the blood, by decreasing lipid peroxide and enhancing radical scavenger activity. Percentages of T lymphocytes and IgG and IgM concentrations in the athletic group were lower than those in the control group. Meanwhile, vitamin E supplementation had no effects on immune status in both groups.ps.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1248-1254
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• 2019

Identification of novel probiotic strains is of great interest in the field of functional foods. Specific strains of heat-killed bacteria have been reported to exert immunomodulatory effects. Herein, we investigated the immune-stimulatory function of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC 13314BP (LBP). Treatment with LBP significantly increased the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by macrophages. More importantly, LBP was able to enhance the phagocytic activity of macrophages against bacterial particles. Activation of p38, JNK, ERK, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and STAT3 was involved in the immunomodulatory function of LBP. LBP treatment significantly increased production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ by bone marrow-derived macrophages and splenocytes, further confirming the immunostimulatory effect of LBP in primary immune cells. Interestingly, the immunomodulatory effects of LBP were much stronger than those of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a well-known probiotic strain. These results indicate that LBP can be a promising immune-enhancing functional food agent.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.12-22
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• 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate immune enhancing effect of Houttuyniae Herba water extract(HW) on RAW 264.7 cell of mouse macrophages. Methods: Effects of HW on productions of nitric oxide(NO) and hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$) in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages were measured. Effect of HW on production of cytokines such as interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ in RAW 264.7 cells was accessed by a multiplex bead array assay based on xMAP technology. All of results were represented P<0.05 compared to the normal. Results: 1. After 24 hr incubation, HW increased significantly NO production in RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g$/mL. 2. After 24 hr incubation, HW increased significantly hydrogen peroxide production in RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g$/mL. 3. After 24 hr incubation, HW increased significantly IL-$1{\beta}$ production in RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 100 and 200 ${\mu}g$/mL. 4. After 24 hr incubation, HW increased significantly IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 100 and 200 ${\mu}g$/mL. 5. After 24 hr incubation, HW increased significantly TNF-${\alpha}$ production in RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 ${\mu}g$/mL. Conclusions: These results suggest that HW has immune enhancing activity related with its increasement of NO, hydrogen peroxide, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in macrophages.

• Advanced Industrial SCIence
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2023

This study was performed as a preliminary experiment to develop functional feed additives using by-products generated during the production of black garlic. Therefore antioxidant and immune enhancing activity of black garlic pomace were measured. As a result of measuring the antioxidant activity of black garlic pomace, it was found antioxidant activity. Nitric oxide (NO) assay was performed to test the immune enhancing activity of vegetable samples including black garlic pomace among the samples used in the experiment. As a result of the NO assay experiment, highest concentrations of black garlic pomace, aster glehni, and MIX form produced NO, which Garlic pomace (69.4%), aster glehni (35.9%), and MIX (45.3%), respectively, compared to LPS (100%). In conclusion, it is considered that black garlic pomace contains an anti-inflammatory effect, and if the optimal mixing ratio of black garlic pomace and aster glehni is selected, it will be of sufficient value as a feed additive containing an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.837-840
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• 2004

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of Eunkyo-San(EKS) on the immune system. Administration of EKS(500 mg/kg) enhanced viability of splenocytes and thymocytes in BALB/c mice, and also EKS increased of splenic B, T lymphocytes and thymic T lymphocytes, significantly increased CD4 positive TH cells. EKS markedly enhanced the production of -interferon in mice serum. EKS accelerated the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that EKS have an immune-enhancing activity.