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Park EJ, Kim JY, Jaiswal V, Park HS, Ki DB, Lee YS, Lee HJ. High-molecular-weight Fucoidan exerts an immune-enhancing effect in RAW 264.7 cells and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression rat by altering the gut microbiome. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 139:112677. [PMID: 39024753 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
High-molecular-weight fucoidan (Fucoidan P), sourced from Undaria pinnatifida exhibits several health benefits, including immunomodulation. However, the mechanisms underlying the immune-enhancing effects of Fucoidan P remain unclear. Here, we investigated the immune-enhancing effects and the potential mechanisms of Fucoidan P using RAW 264.7 macrophages and cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppression rat model. In macrophages, Fucoidan P showed dose-dependent stimulation by increasing cell proliferation, nitric oxide production, and gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and proinflammatory cytokines. These effects are mediated through the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Moreover, orally administered Fucoidan P was evaluated in immunosuppressed rats treated with CP. Fucoidan P administration increased hematological values and natural killer cell activity, and positively affected nitrite and prostaglandin E2 levels. The Fucoidan P treatment groups exhibited improved serum cytokine levels as well as splenic and intestinal cytokine mRNA expression compared to the model group. Fucoidan P also mitigated splenic damage and increased the phosphorylation of NF-κB and NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκBα). Furthermore, Fucoidan P treatment altered the gut microbiota composition, enhancing the alpha diversity, evenness, and abundance of Bacteroidetes, which are associated with immune function. Taken together, our findings suggest that Fucoidan P exerts beneficial effects on immune function by activating NF-κB and modulating gut microbiota. These findings suggested its potential as a therapeutic agent for immune enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jung Park
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea; Institute for Aging and Clinical Nutrition Research, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Yeon Kim
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Varun Jaiswal
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea; Institute for Aging and Clinical Nutrition Research, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Sun Park
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Dan-Bi Ki
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - You-Suk Lee
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea; Institute for Aging and Clinical Nutrition Research, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Jeung Lee
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea; Institute for Aging and Clinical Nutrition Research, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea; Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea; Gachon Biomedical Convergence Institute, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon 21565, Republic of Korea.
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Shin DY, Kim BS, Lee HY, Park YM, Kim YW, Kim MJ, Yang HJ, Kim MS, Bae JS. Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Siebold leaf extract enhanced immunostimulatory effects in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed rat model. Food Nutr Res 2023; 67:9422. [PMID: 37152296 PMCID: PMC10155189 DOI: 10.29219/fnr.v67.9422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Siebold (EA) is a medicinal plant used in some Asian countries to treat various diseases, including cancer, hyperglycemia, diabetes, urticaria, dysmenorrhea, and arthritis. Owing to the wide range of pharmacological applications of EA, various roles of EA are being studied. Objective We evaluated the immune-enhancing effect of EA treatment in a cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced immunosuppressed rat model. Design We analyzed the immune enhancement effect of EA on macrophages by western blotting. In addition, cell viability and natural killer (NK) cell activity were analyzed in splenocytes following EA treatment. For in vivo studies, analysis of weekly body weight, spleen weight, immune cell count, cytokine levels, and spleen histological findings was performed following EA administration in Cy-induced immunocompromised rats. Results EA significantly increased cell viability and phospho-nuclear factor-kappa B and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase protein levels in the macrophages. EA significantly increased NK cell activity in splenocytes compared with the control group. In Cy-induced immunosuppressed rats, EA administration increased spleen tissue weight and the contents of leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, intermediate cells, and plasma cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ). In addition, improvement in the damaged spleen tissue was observed. Conclusions These findings confirm that EA exerts an immune-enhancing effect, thereby suggesting its potential as an immunostimulatory agent or functional food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yeop Shin
- Department of Companion and Laboratory Animal Science, Kongju National University, Yesan, South Korea
- INVIVO Co. Ltd., Nonsan, South Korea
| | - Byeong Soo Kim
- Department of Companion and Laboratory Animal Science, Kongju National University, Yesan, South Korea
| | | | | | - Yong Wan Kim
- Daegu Cancer Center, Research and Development Unit, DongSung Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Daegu, South Korea
| | - Min Jung Kim
- Korea Food Research Institute, Iseo, South Korea
| | | | - Mi Seong Kim
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, College of Dentistry, Institute of Biomaterial-Implant, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Jun Sang Bae
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea
- Jun Sang Bae, Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, 460, Iksan, Jeonbuk 54538, Korea.
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Jeong UY, Jung J, Lee EB, Choi JH, Kim JS, Jang HH, Park SY, Lee SH. Antioxidant and Immune Stimulating Effects of Allium hookeri Extracts in the RAW 264.7 Cells and Immune-Depressed C57BL/6 Mice. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11101927. [PMID: 36290655 PMCID: PMC9598749 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the antioxidant and immune-enhancing effects of the extracts from Allium hookeri leaves and roots (AHL and AHR) in in vitro and in vivo models. Their antioxidant effects were determined by total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The immunomodulatory effects were evaluated by nitric oxide (NO) production and cytokine concentrations produced from RAW 264.7, and by serum IgA and IgG levels, cytokine levels, and NK cell activities in the immunosuppressed C57BL/6 mice. AHL and AHR extracts improved antioxidant activities and productions of NO and cytokines without cytotoxicity in the RAW 264.7 cells. AHL and AHR groups showed significantly higher serum IgA and IgG levels, Th1 cytokine concentrations, splenocyte proliferations, and NK cell activities than the NC group which was not treated with AHL or AHR extract. AHR extract showed higher values than AHL extract in the factors evaluated in this study. The results show that they have high antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects and can be used as novel potential therapeutic candidates to treat related diseases and to improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Un-Yul Jeong
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Jieun Jung
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Eun-Byeol Lee
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Choi
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
| | - Ji-Su Kim
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Hwan-Hee Jang
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Shin-Young Park
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
| | - Sung-Hyen Lee
- Functional Food Division, Department of Agro-Food Resources, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun 55365, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-63-238-3681
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Park YM, Lee HY, Shin DY, Kim DS, Yoo JJ, Yang HJ, Kim MJ, Bae JS. Immune-Enhancing Effects of Co-treatment With Kalopanax pictus Nakai Bark and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner Leaf Extract in a Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Rat Model. Front Nutr 2022; 9:898417. [PMID: 35662944 PMCID: PMC9161550 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.898417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Immune system disorders can result in various pathological conditions, such as infections and cancer. Identifying therapies that enhance the immune response might be crucial for immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, we assessed the immune-enhancing effect of co-treatment with Kalopanax pictus Nakai Bark and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner leaf extract (KPNN) in a cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced immunosuppressed rat model. Materials and Methods For in vitro studies, macrophages and splenocytes were treated with various KPNN doses in the presence or absence of Cy. Macrophage viability, nitric oxide production, splenocyte viability, cytokine production and natural killer (NK) cell activity were analyzed. For in vivo studies, analysis of weekly body weight, dietary intake, tissue weight, immune-related blood cell count, cytokine levels, and spleen biopsy was performed in a Cy-induced immunocompromised animal model. Results KPNN significantly increased phospho-NF-κB and phospho-ERK protein levels and cell viability in macrophages. KPNN significantly increased the NK cell activity in splenocytes compared to that in the control. Cy treatment decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and interferon-γ production. In the Cy-induced immunosuppression rat model, KPNN-treated rats had significantly higher body weights and tissue weights than the Cy-treated rats. Additionally, KPNN treatment restored the immune-related factors, such as total leukocyte, lymphocyte, and intermediate cell contents, to their normal levels in the blood. The blood cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were increased, and spleen tissue damage was significantly alleviated. Conclusions Collectively, KPNN exerts an immune-enhancing effect suggesting their potential as an immunostimulatory agent or functional food.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dae Sung Kim
- Central Research and Development, Hanpoong Pharm & Foods Co., Ltd., Wanju-gun, South Korea
| | - Jin Joo Yoo
- Central Research and Development, Hanpoong Pharm & Foods Co., Ltd., Wanju-gun, South Korea
| | | | - Min Jung Kim
- Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun, South Korea
| | - Jun Sang Bae
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea
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Park EJ, Jung AJ, Lee SH, Kang SK, Lee HJ. An 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of red Platycodon grandiflorus root extract on enhancement of immune function. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 93:153811. [PMID: 34735908 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immune-enhancing effects of red Platycodon grandiflorus root extract (RPGE) has been reported in vitro and in vivo, but there are few studies on humans. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of RPGE in enhancing immune function in healthy subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS An 8-week randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at the Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea. A total of 100 adults aged 20-75 years with white blood cell counts of 3000-10,000 cell/µL were randomly divided into two groups (RPGE group, 50 and placebo group, 50) using a computer-generated random list with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The subjects consumed RPGE (2 times/day, 2 tablets/time, 375 mg RPGE powder/tablet) or placebo for 8 weeks. All test foods for the human study were coded and administered under double-blind conditions. The primary outcome was a change in the NK cell activity after 8 weeks of treatment compared to the baseline. RESULTS Among 100 subjects enrolled for the study, 87 completed the study. NK cell activity (p = 0.005) and IFN-γ level (p = 0.003) of the RPGE group (n = 41) were higher than those of the placebo group (n = 46). The findings of the safety assessment revealed absence of clinically significant changes in any test and serious adverse events throughout the study. CONCLUSION In conclusion, these results demonstrate the efficacy and safety of RPGE, suggesting it to be a beneficial agent for enhancing immune function in humans. TRIAL REGISTRATION CRIS Registration Number KCT0005945, https://cris.nih.go.kr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jung Park
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea; Institute for Aging and Clinical Nutrition Research, Gachon University, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah Jin Jung
- Institute for Aging and Clinical Nutrition Research, Gachon University, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hyen Lee
- Rural Department Administration, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju, Jeonbuk 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Kyu Kang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon 21565, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hae-Jeung Lee
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea; Institute for Aging and Clinical Nutrition Research, Gachon University, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea.
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Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Fermented Lotus Root and Linoleic Acid in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced RAW 264.7 Cells. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10110293. [PMID: 33228085 PMCID: PMC7699317 DOI: 10.3390/life10110293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a protective response of the innate immune system. However, aberrant inflammatory responses lead to various diseases. Lotus root, the edible rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera, is a popular traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. In a previous study, we reported that fermented lotus root (FLR) alleviated ethanol/HCl-induced gastric ulcers in rats by modulating inflammation-related genes. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of FLR and its major constituent, linoleic acid (LA), are still largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of FLR and LA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. We found that FLR inhibited LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators through down-regulation of NF-κB activity. Similarly, LA also attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory responses and reduced LPS-induced phosphorylation of proteins associated with NF-κB signaling, such as ERK, JNK, and p38. Overall, our results suggested that FLR and LA may effectively ameliorate inflammatory diseases.
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