Combined Immune-Stimulatory Effects of HemoHIM and Hwaljingigo Treatment in RAW 264.7 Macrophages
Source abstract
Abstract
The immune system plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of homeostasis and protection from pathogens. With increasing public interest in immune health, functional foods and herbal formulations are gaining attention as potential immunomodulators. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the combined immune-enhancing effects of HemoHIM (HIM) and Hwaljingigo (HGG) through combination treatment based on the recommended daily intake in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, and cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6) expression levels were assessed using the XTT, Griess, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Immunoblotting was conducted to confirm changes in protein expression. Neither HIM nor HGG was cytotoxic at any of the tested concentrations. Both the single and combination treatments increased NO production and cytokine expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the combination of HIM (one sachet) and HGG (three sachets) resulted in the highest levels of NO and cytokine production. Bliss Independence analysis revealed synergistic interactions for IL-1β and IL-6, while NO and TNF-α showed additive effects. These findings suggest that the combination of HIM and HGG enhances immune responses by stimulating macrophage activity, thereby supporting the potential application of multi-herbal formulations as functional immunomodulatory agents.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Herbal Medicine Research Studies · Ziziphus Jujuba Studies and Applications · Andrographolide Research and Applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Food Biotechnology and Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
Agriculture and Life Science Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
Atomy R&D Center, Gongju 32511, Republic of Korea
Funding
Atomy R&D Center · National Research Foundation of Korea · Ministry of Education · Gangwon RISE Center · Gangwon State (G.S.), Republic of Korea
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