Enzyme-derived deer velvet extract activate the immune response in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mice
Sinhwa Baek, Cho I Park, Yun Gyeong Hwang, Hyejin Jeon, Seong‐Eun Kim, Aeri Song, Hyun‐Je Park, Ilbum Park, Jong‐Soo Kang, Joo Young
Abstract
Deer velvet (DV) is an oriental traditional medicine used to treat various diseases. The present study examined the effect of flavourzyme-derived DV extract (YC-1101) on macrophages and an immunosuppressed mouse model. YC-1101 induced activation of macrophages as measured by nitric oxide production, cell proliferation, and cytokine release via concentration-dependent phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and AKT, and nuclear translocation of p65 in macrophages. In addition, oral YC-1101 administration significantly increased splenocyte proliferation and natural killer cell activity in the immunosuppressed mouse model. Moreover, the levels of immune-related cytokines such as tumor necrotic factor-α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-2 were significantly increased by YC-1101 treatment comparable to the control group. Thus, these results suggest that YC-1101 is an efficient natural ingredient that has an immune-enhancing effect, and it might be a potential functional food for improving immunity.