SBT (Composed of Panax ginseng and Aconitum carmichaeli) and Stigmasterol Enhances Nitric Oxide Production and Exerts Curative Properties as a Potential Anti-Oxidant and Immunity-Enhancing Agent

Abstract

Immune dysregulation is a risk factor for several diseases, including infectious diseases. Immunostimulatory agents have been used for the treatment of immune dysregulation, but deleterious adverse effects have been reported. The present study aims to establish the anti-oxidant and immunity-enhancing effects of Sambu-Tang (SBT), composed of Panax ginseng and Aconitum carmichaeli, and stigmasterol (Stig), an active compound of SBT. Immune-related factors were analyzed in RAW264.7 macrophage cells, mouse primary splenocytes, and the serum and spleen of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice. Results showed that the production levels of nitric oxide (NO) and expression levels of inducible NO synthase and heme oxygenase-1 were increased following SBT or Stig treatment in RAW264.7 cells. SBT or Stig increased the production levels of G-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α and induced the activation of NF-κB in RAW264.7 cells. SBT or Stig promoted splenic lymphocyte proliferation and increased splenic NK cell cytotoxic activity. In addition, SBT or Stig enhanced the levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-2, IL-6, or TNF-α in the serum and spleen of the immunosuppressed mice. SBT or Stig increased the superoxide dismutase activity in the spleen. Collectively, SBT and Stig possess anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory activities, so they may be considered effective natural compounds for the treatment of various symptoms caused by immune dysregulation.

Antioxidant and Immune Stimulating Effects of Allium hookeri Extracts in the RAW 264.7 Cells and Immune-Depressed C57BL/6 Mice

“…Macrophages play an important role in the regulation of immune response and this function depends on the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α [ 42 , 43 ]. Previous studies reported that various plant extracts enhanced secretions of the cytokines [ 44 , 45 ]. Thus, AHL and AHR extracts significantly enhanced the productions of IL-6 and TNF-α and can affect immune system by controlling the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines.…”

Terminalia brownii Fresen: Stem Bark Dichloromethane Extract Alleviates Pyrogallol‐Induced Suppression of Innate Immune Responses in Swiss Albino Mice

“…Tese compounds increase NO production by macrophage cell lines. Low doses, 1-10 μM, of hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, Stigmasterol-treated RAW264.7 cells produced elevated levels of NO compared to the control [63]. Tis study revealed the capacity of T. brownii stems bark DCM extract to elevate TNF-α levels in macrophages isolated from pyrogallol-immunosuppressed mice.…”

“…Low doses, 1–10 μ M, of hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and linoleic acid enhanced NO production by J774 cells [ 62 ]. Stigmasterol-treated RAW264.7 cells produced elevated levels of NO compared to the control [ 63 ].…”

“…The treatment of murine peritoneal macrophages with campesterol resulted in elevated levels of TNF- α compared with the control [ 68 ]. RAW264.7 cells treated with stigmasterol produced elevated levels of TNF- α in contrast to the untreated cells [ 63 ].…”

Maltol has anti-cancer effects via modulating PD-L1 signaling pathway in B16F10 cells

“…Immunofluorescence was carried out as described previously ( Han et al, 2022a ). The antibody specific for PD-L1 was used at a 1:500 dilution, and anti-mouse IgG H&L (Alexa Fluor ® 647) was used at a 1:1,000 dilution.…”