Immune-Enhancing Effect of Fermented Maesil (Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc.) with Probiotics against Bordetella bronchiseptica in Mice

Abstract

Maesil (Prunus mume) has long been used as a traditional drug and healthy food in East Asian countries. It possesses a number of beneficial biological activities including potential antimicrobial effects against pathogens. Probiotics also have antibacterial effects. Moreover, some probiotics have an important role in regulating the immune system. The present study evaluated the immune enhancing effects of fermented Maesil with probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus acidophilus) in mice, especially against Bordetella bronchiseptica, as an initial step towards the development of feed supplements for the promotion of immune activity and prevention of disease, especially in pigs. Continuous ingestion of fermented Maesil with probiotics markedly increased the macrophage ratio in peripheral blood and the T lymphocyte ratio in the spleen. In addition, antibody production against formalin-killed B. bronchiseptica significantly increased in the mice fed fermented Maesil compared with the control group. The number of leukocytes was significantly higher in the bronchio-alveolar lavage obtained from the fermented Maesil-fed animals compared to it in the control group at day 3 (maximal peak time) after experimental B. bronchiseptica infection. Moreover, at 7 day post-infection, relative messenger RNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor- α and interferon-γ were significantly increased in splenocytes of mice fed fermented Maesil compared with those in the control group. Taken together, these findings suggest that feed containing fermented Maesil with probiotics enhances immune activity in mice, especially against B. bronchiseptica, via the potent stimulation of non-specific immune responses.

Effects of a Plum (Prunus mumeSiebold and Zucc.) Ethanol Extract on the Immune Systemin Vivoandin Vitro

“…Jung et al have shown that fermented maesil (i.e., plum) had an immunity enhancing effect on mice, 14) and we suggest that some compounds, which were not produced by fermentation, could affect the immunity enhancing activity in vivo (Fig. 1).…”

Influence of Plum (<i>Prunus Mume </i>Siebold and Zucc.) Products on Growth Performance, Intestinal Function and Immunity in Broiler Chicks

“…A recent study reported that fermented PM diet with probiotics increased immune activity in mice, especially against Bordetella bronchiseptica, via the potent stimulation of immune responses (Jung et al, 2010a). To understand the modes of action as alternatives to antibiotics, the effects of PM on mRNA expression of cytokines in immune organs in birds were examined.…”

Effects of Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc. in the pacemaking activity of interstitial cells of Cajal in murine small intestine

“…Furthermore, PM extracts exhibit many pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial (7-10), immune enhancing (11), anti-cancer (1,12,13), and anti-fatigue (14) effects, and have been demonstrated to enhance osteoclast differentiation (15) and improve blood flow (16). Additionally, previous studies have reported that using PM extracts with probiotics inhibits the development of atopic dermatitis (17) and enhances immunity (18).…”