• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2017

The host immune system is the first line of host defense, consisting mainly of innate and adaptive immunity. Immunity must be maintained, orchestrated, and harmonized, since overactivation of immune responses can lead to inflammation and autoimmune diseases, while immune deficiency can lead to infectious diseases. We investigated the regulation of innate and adaptive immune cell activation by Artemisia capillaris and its components (ursolic acid, hyperoside, scopoletin, and scopolin). Macrophage phagocytic activity was determined using fluorescently labeled Escherichia coli, as an indicator of innate immune activation. Concanavalin A (ConA)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced splenocyte proliferation was analyzed as surrogate markers for cellular and humoral adaptive immunity, respectively. Neither A. capillaris water extract (WAC) nor ethanol extract (EAC) greatly inhibited macrophage phagocytic activity. In contrast, WAC suppressed ConA- and LPS-induced proliferation of primary mouse splenocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, EAC inhibited ConA- and LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation. Oral administration of WAC in mice decreased ConA- and LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation, while that of EAC suppressed LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation. Repeated administration of WAC in mice inhibited ConA- and LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation. Ursolic acid, scopoletin, and scopolin reduced ConA- and LPS-induced primary mouse splenocyte proliferation, while hyperoside did not show such activity. These results indicate that A. capillaris and its components, ursolic acid, scopoletin, and scopolin, suppress ConA- and LPS-induced adaptive immune cell activation. The results suggest that A. capillaris is useful as a regulator of adaptive immunity for diseases involving excessive immune response activation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2020

Ganjang and doenjang are known as major fermented soy-based foods in Koreans. Current investigations have proved that fermented soybean foods impart anti-cancer, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-cancer activities of commercialized soy food, Ganjang, as a function of aging period. The test groups were classified into four time periods-short (under 5 years, S group), mid (under 10 years, M group), long (under 15 years, L group), and eternal (over 15 years, E group). The anti-cancer effects of Ganjang were determined by cell cytotoxicity assay of three types of cancer cell lines and splenocyte proliferation assay. Besides these assays, we also analyzed NK cell activity for cancer immunotherapy. The results show that the anti-cancer effect increased in the S and M period aging groups for all three cancer cell lines. Interestingly, similar to the anti-cancer result, splenocyte proliferation and NK activity showed the highest effect in the S and M groups. In contrast, Japanese ganjang-treated (JG1, JG2) groups and E group showed significantly reduced splenocyte proliferation. Collectively, these results suggest that the short and middle periods of traditional fermented Ganjang might have potential anti-cancer activities.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.955-964
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• 2023

Bee pollen is a valuable apitherapeutic product and has been known to have diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and even anticancer activity. However, its effect on the immune system is not well studied and is rather controversial. This study intended to elucidate the biological activity of bee pollen on immunity. For this purpose, we used lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding, which shows increased extraction of bioactive components and enhanced biological activity. First, lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding significantly increased the proliferation of splenocytes isolated from normal mice. On the other hand, lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding dose-dependently reversed splenocyte proliferation by concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide. To clarify the activity of bee pollen on immunity lyophilized bee pollen after wet grinding was administered daily to mice for five weeks and isolated splenocytes. In this study, there was no significant difference in the population of immune cells and the size of spleen between bee pollen- and sterile water-treated groups. However, proliferation of splenocyte isolated from bee pollen-administered animals was boosted by both concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. Finally, kaempferol, a well-known flavonoid from bee pollen, dose-dependently increased splenocyte proliferation by both Con A and LPS. On the other hand, naringenin, another flavonoid in the bee pollen, dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of splenocytes by Con A and LPS. Together, these data indicate that bee pollen may be able to prime the immunity to boost immune reaction after inflammation.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.41-51
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• 2010

Objectives : Samul-tang(SM). Sagunja-tang(SG). Pamul-tang(PM) and Sipjeondaebo-tang(SJ) was used many diseases such as sterility. menstrual disorder. general prostration. recruitment in Korea. We investigated the immune stimulatory activities of SG. SM. PM and SJ in in vitro. Methods: For comparision for effective of SM. SG. PM and SJ. this study examined anti-inflammation(NO. PGE2 assay). anti-oxidation(DPPH assay) and immune response in in vitro assay. For immune response activities. this study used NO synthesis on RAW 264.7 cells, splenocyte proliferation and cytokine assay(IL-2, IL-4) in splenocyte. Results: The results showed that SG. SM. PM and SJ were no significant effect anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects. For immune response. they showed the splenocyte proliferation and macrophage proliferation. We confirmed that they synthesised NO a dose-dependent manner significantly and secreted the IL-4. Conclusions : These results suggested the SG, SM, PM and SJ had immune stimulatory activity. A efficacy of immune response in them had produced similar results.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.954-961
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• 2007

The experiments were conducted to determine effects of a mixture of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers on T cell subpopulations and responsiveness to mitogen of splenocytes in male broiler chicks. In experiment 1, birds (8-d old) were fed basal, CLA-(CLA) and safflower oil-supplemented (SA) diets which were formulated by supplementary 10 g CLA or safflower oil/kg to the basal diet for 14 d. Broiler starter diet, which mainly consisted of corn and soybean meal, was served as the basal diet. Proliferative response and interleukin (IL)-2-like activity stimulated by concanavalin (Con) A at a concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$ of splenocytes in chicks fed the CLA diet were greater than in chicks fed the SA diet, but not at $20{\mu}g$ Con A/ml. Percentage of CD3-positive T cells in splenocytes did not differ between chicks fed the SA diet and CLA. Ratio of CD4-positive T cells to CD8- positive T cells was significantly affected by dietary fat source. In experiment 2, broiler chicks (1-d old) were fed the same diets as in experiment 1 for 14 d. Results of splenocyte proliferation to Con A were similar to those in experiment 1, but phytohemaggulutinin (PHA)- or pokeweed mitogen (PWM)- induced splenocyte proliferation did not differ between the CLA and SA fed groups. Supplementation with SA or CLA to the basal diet tended to have a depressive effect on the proliferation, with the greater effect being that of SA. In experiment 3, effect of an addition of CLA to splenocyte culture medium on splenocyte proliferation was determined. An addition of CLA to the culture medium resulted in reduction of the splenocyte proliferation to Con A, but an addition of linoleic acid. When PWM and PHA were used as mitogen, the inhibitory effect of CLA and linoleic acid on the proliferation did not differ. The results suggested that the effect of dietary CLA on splenocyte proliferation was similar to that of SA, although the effect of dietary CLA on sub-populations was slightly different from that of dietary SA. Further studies are needed to clarify whether use of CLA would be beneficial for maintaining or enhancing T cell immunity in chicks.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.467-477
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• 2020

Doenjang is a major fermented soy-based food in Korea. Recent investigations have shown that fermented soybean foods have immunity-enhancing, anti-cancer, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. Several studies also have reported that genistein and daidzein, which are easily absorbed in the body are produced in larger quantities in aged doenjang. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the variations in the anti-cancer effects of commercialized doenjang as it ages. Four groups were formed for this study according to aging periods of doenjang, namely short (under 5 years, S group), mid (under 10 years, M group), long (under 15 years, L group) and very long (over 15 years, E group). The anti-cancer effects of doenjang were determined by cell cytotoxicity assays in A549, YAC-1, and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Also, NK cell activity and splenocyte proliferation were assayed for cancer immunotherapy. The quantities of phenolic compounds in doenjang at different ages were also measured. The results showed that the anti-cancer effects increased in the S and M groups for all three cancer cell lines. Interestingly, similar to this result, splenocyte proliferation and NK activity were also the highest in the S and M groups. In contrast, the E group showed significantly reduced splenocyte proliferation. The quantity of phenolic compounds was similar to that of the anti-cancer results. Collectively, these results suggest that the fermentation period of doenjang plays a very important role in determining its anti-cancer effects.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2014

In order to determine the functional benefits of Cordyceps militaris in the immune system, we examined the immunomodulatory activities of C. militaris using an immunocompromised C57BL/6 mice, mouse spleen cells, RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and A549 lung carcinoma cells. Mice were injected intraperitioneally with an immunosuppressive drug, cyclophosphamide, and then administered orally with 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg of 50% ethanol extract of C. militaris (CME 30, CME 100 and CME 300) for 14 days. CME increased splenocyte proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell activity compared to 3% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-treated control mice. CME also increased the production of Th1 cytokines, IL-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in spleen cells isolated from CME-injected mice and in vitro, which suggested the enhanced cellular immunity in response to CME. CME also increased splenocyte proliferation, NK cell activity, and IL-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production compared to 1 ${\mu}M$ methotrexate-treated spleen cells in vitro. We examined whether C. militaris regulates the production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. CME inhibited LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression in a dose dependent manner, while COX-2 expression was remained unchanged. In addition, CME also has free radical scavenging activity, indicating its antioxidant activity. These results indicate that C. militaris enhances immune activity by promoting immune cell proliferation and cytokine production.

• 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.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2004

Mancozeb, a polymeric complex of zinc and manganese salts of ethylene bisthiocarbamate (EBDC), is used widely in agriculture as fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. Mancozeb can be occupationally and environmentally exposed to human and has been reported to induce estrogenic activity, therein it is considered as an endocrine disrupter, We investigated the effects of acute exposure of Mancozeb on the immune function in mice. After single oral administration of Mancozeb to female ICR mice, the immunopathological parameters (body- and organ-weight, splenic cellularity hematological parameters), mitogen (Con A, PHA+IL-2, LPS)-induced splenocyte proliferation (SP) and splenic IgM plaque forming cell (PFC). WBC and splenic cellularity were decreased, but liver-, kidney-, and spleen-weight were increased when compared with control group. Splenic IgM PFC against SRBC was slightly lowered. Mitogen-induced proliferation of spleen cells from Mancozeb-treated mice was not signifcantly changed ex vivo, however, SP in vitro were significantly lowered in concentration dependent manner. These results indicate that Mancozeb could affect the immune function in mice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2004

The immunomodulating activities and chemical characteristics of a water-soluble exopolymer from submerged mycelial culture of Phellinus pini were studied. Anticomplementary activity of this polymer was found to be $73.2\%$, and its activation system occurred through both classical and alternative pathways, where the classical pathway was detected to be the major one by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Nitric oxide (NO) release ability and acid phosphatase activity of macrophage were increased by 1.6-fold ($100{\mu}g/ml$) and 3.4-fold ($500{\mu}g/ml$), respectively, and splenocyte proliferation in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was also increased by 2.6-fold ($200{\mu}g/ml$), compared to the control. The molecular weight of this polymer, determined by HPLC, was under 5 kDa. Total sugar and protein contents were 89.7 and 10.3%, respectively. Both sugar and amino acid compositions of the exopolymer were also analyzed.