title: Aqueous extract of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger exerts immunostimulatory activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (Crassulaceae) (OJ), well-known as Wa-song in Korea is a medicinal plant with immunoregulatory, anti-febrile, antidote, and anti-cancer activities. This study was aimed at evaluating the immunostimulatory effect of O. japonicus A. Berger and its possible mechanisms of action.
  
  
  METHODS
  To evaluate the effect of OJ aqueous extract on macrophage activity, we evaluated the modulation of macrophage activation state by observing structural (phagocytic activities) and the production of nitric oxide increase. The effect of OJ aqueous extract on RAW264.7 cell viability were assessed using Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 assay. HPLC analysis was performed to identify potential active compounds of this extract.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The biological investigations indicated that OJ aqueous extract, among others, possessed the highest macrophage activation as indicated by NO production yield. The results showed that OJ aqueous extract exhibited antioxidant effects, which included scavenging activities against DPPH radicals. OJ aqueous extract increased the phagocytic activity of RAW 264.7 cells against IgG-opsonized red blood cells (RBC). The level of phosphorylated Syk kinase was increased in OJ aqueous extract-treated group as compared to control. Phosphorylation of PLC-γ was increased in the OJ aqueous extract-treated groups. Quercetin-3-O-rhamnose and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnose was detected in OJ aqueous extract by HPLC analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OJ aqueous extract might play a pivotal ethnopharmacologic role as an immunostimulatory agent by promoting Fc gamma receptor (FcγR)-mediated phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized RBCs. On the basis of our results, OJ aqueous extract can enhance innate immunity and may serve as an adjuvant for tumor treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of BioNano Technology Gachon University, Sungnam, Gyeonggi-do 461-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: nimpi79@daum.net.
authors.forename: Hye-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Division of Creative Food Science for Health, Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62 Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Natural Product Research Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 300 Chonchon-dong, Jangan-ku, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 440-746, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Creative Food Science for Health, Korea Food Research Institute, 1201-62 Anyangpangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-746, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D029627:Crassulaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009569:Nitric Oxide
keywords: Fc gamma receptor (FcγR)-mediated phagocytosis; IgG-opsonized RBCs; Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (Crassulaceae); RAW 264.7 cells