title: The Immunomodulatory Activity of Mori folium, the Leaf ofMorus albaL., in RAW 264.7 Macrophages In Vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immunoregulatory elements have emerged as useful immunotherapeutic agents against cancer. In traditional medicine, Mori folium, the leaf ofMorus albaL. (Moraceae), has been used for various medicinal purposes; however, the immunomodulatory effects have not been fully identified. We evaluated the immunoenhancing potential of water extract of Mori folium (WEMF) in murine RAW264.7 macrophages.
  
  
  METHODS
  RAW264.7 cells were treated with WEMF for 24 hours and cell viability was detected by an MTT method. Nitric oxide (NO) levels in the culture supernatants were assayed using Griess reagent. The productions of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and immune-related cytokines was measured using ELISA detection kits. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Inducible NO synthase, COX-2, and cytokines were assayed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The effect of WEMF on phagocytic activity was measured using a Phagocytosis Assay Kit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  WEMF significantly stimulated the production of NO and PGE2as immune response parameters at noncytotoxic concentrations, which was associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase and COX-2. The release and expression of cytokines, such as TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10, were also significantly increased in response to treatment with WEMF. Moreover, WEMF promoted the macrophagic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells and the resulting phagocytosis activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WEMF has the potential to modulate the immune function by regulating immunological parameters. Further studies are needed to identify the active compounds and to support the use of WEMF as an immune stimulant.
authors.affiliation: Anti-Aging Research Center, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Da Hye
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Dongeui University, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cheon
authors.affiliation: Anti-Aging Research Center, Busan, Korea; Department of Biochemistry, Dongeui University College of Korean Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Ok
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Anti-Aging Research Center, Busan, Korea; Department of Biochemistry, Dongeui University College of Korean Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Bio-Port Korea Inc., MarineBio-industry Development Center, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Bio-Port Korea Inc., MarineBio-industry Development Center, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Bio-Port Korea Inc., MarineBio-industry Development Center, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Goo
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Suhkmann
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Dongeui University College of Korean Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Su Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Dongeui University, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Dongeui University, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Anti-Aging Research Center, Busan, Korea; Department of Biochemistry, Dongeui University College of Korean Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Yung Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
keywords: Immune response; Macrophages; Mori folium; Phagocytosis