Potentiation of natural killer (NK) cell activity by methanol extract of cultured cambial meristematic cells of wild ginseng and its mechanism

Dietary Derived Micronutrients Modulate Immune Responses Through Innate Lymphoid Cells

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a group of innate immune cells that possess overlapping features with T cells, although they lack antigen-specific receptors. ILCs consist of five subsets-ILC1, ILC2, ILC3, lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi-like) cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. They have significant functions in mediating various immune responses, protecting mucosal barrier integrity and maintaining tissue homeostasis in the lung, skin, intestines, and liver. ILCs react immediately to signals from internal and external sources. Emerging evidence has revealed that dietary micronutrients, such as various vitamins and minerals can significantly modulate immune responses through ILCs and subsequently affect human health. It has been demonstrated that micronutrients control the development and proliferation of different types of ILCs. They are also potent immunoregulators in several autoimmune diseases and play vital roles in resolving local inflammation. Here, we summarize the interplay between several essential micronutrients and ILCs to maintain epithelial barrier functions in various mucosal tissues and discuss their limitations and potentials for promoting human health.

PHYTOADAPTOGENS IN THE TUMOURS BIOTHERAPY AND GERIATRICS (PART 1)

The review reflects the history of phytoadaptogens studies (ginseng, eleutherococcus, etc.), which are considered to be geroprotectors by Eastern medicine for centures. They have a complex of protective effects on the body, as well as increasing its antitumor resistance. The first part of the review describes the antistress, immuno- and hormone-modulating, cognitive and neuroprotective properties of adapto gens. Together with the synchronizing effects on biorthms adaptogens are essential for preventive oncology.

Effect of Natural Compounds on NK Cell Activation

Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that survey the body for stressed and abnormal cells. The integration of signals that they receive through various inhibitory and activating cell surface receptors controls their activation and ability to kill target cells and produce cytokines. In this manner, phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets of NK cells help protect against microbial infections and cancer and shape the adaptive immune response. NK cells can use two different mechanisms to kill their targets, either by cytotoxic granule exocytosis or by induction of death receptor-mediated apoptosis. Death ligands belong to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of ligands. Upon release in close proximity to a cell slated for killing, perforin forms pores in the cell membrane of the target cell through which granzymes and associated molecules can enter and induce apoptosis. NK cells are also involved in antibody-dependent cellular toxicity via the CD16 receptor. In addition to target recognition, NK cells can be also activated by treatment with multiple compounds with stimulatory properties. Apart from interleukins, which belong to the best characterized group of NK cell-stimulating compounds, vitamins and constituents extracted from plants also display the ability to activate NK cells. The current review characterizes several groups of NK cell-activating compounds: vitamins belonging to classes A, B, C, D, and E, polysaccharides, lectins, and a number of phytochemicals used in cancer research, exhibiting stimulatory properties when applied to NK cells. Although in most cases the exact mechanism of action is not known, constituents described in this review seem to be promising candidates for NK cell-stimulating drugs.

Kampo (Traditional Japanese Herbal) Formulae for Treatment of Stomatitis and Oral Mucositis

Stomatitis is occasionally multiple, recurrent, and refractory. Currently, mucositis induced by chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patients with cancer has become a significant clinical problem. Effective treatments have not been established and the treatment of numerous cases remains a challenge for physicians. Traditional Japanese herbal medicines termed Kampo formulae (i.e., Hangeshashinto, Orengedokuto, Inchinkoto, Orento, Byakkokaninjinto, Juzentaihoto, Hochuekkito, and Shosaikoto) are used for treating various types of stomatitis and mucositis. Its use has been based on the Kampo medical theories—empirical rules established over thousands of years. However, recently, clinical and basic research studies investigating these formulae have been conducted to obtain scientific evidence. Clinical studies investigating efficacies of Shosaikoto and Orento for the treatment of cryptogenic stomatitis and acute aphthous stomatitis and those investigating the effects of Hangeshashinto, Orengedokuto, and Juzentaihoto on chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-induced mucositis have been conducted. The Kampo formulae comprise several crude drugs, whose mechanisms of action are gradually being clarified. Most of these drugs that are used for the treatment of stomatitis possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidative properties. In this review, we introduce the clinical applications and summarize the available evidence on the Kampo formulae for the treatment of stomatitis and oral mucositis.

Applicability of Plant Extracts in Preclinical Studies of Melanoma: A Systematic Review

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and arises from melanocyte gene mutation. This disease is multifactorial, but its main cause is the excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Currently, available chemotherapy has shown little expressive results, which may justify the high use of natural products to treat this cancer. We performed a systematic review to compile the results of studies carried out in murine models and investigated the effect of plant extracts on melanoma treatment. Papers were selected in MEDLINE/Pubmed and Scopus according to the PRISM statement. Search filters were developed using three parameters: plant extract, melanoma, and animal model. The 35 identified studies were all submitted to the criteria described in the ARRIVE guidelines. The different extracts showed antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity, and also proved to be effective in cell cycle modulation and apoptosis evasion. Bias analysis evidenced the absence of standardized experimental designs, as well as failures in statistical tests and in the presentation of results. The analysis of the studies suggests that the use of plant extracts is effective for the treatment of melanoma in murine models.

Molecular differentiation of Russian wild ginseng using mitochondrial nad7 intron 3 region

Background

Cultivated ginseng is often introduced as a substitute and adulterant of Russian wild ginseng due to its lower cost or misidentification caused by similarity in appearance with wild ginseng. The aim of this study is to develop a simple and reliable method to differentiate Russian wild ginseng from cultivated ginseng.

Methods

The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 7 (nad7) intron 3 regions of Russian wild ginseng and Chinese cultivated ginseng were analyzed. Based on the multiple sequence alignment result, a specific primer for Russian wild ginseng was designed by introducing additional mismatch and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for identification of wild ginseng. Real-time allele-specific PCR with endpoint analysis was used for validation of the developed Russian wild ginseng single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker.

Results

An SNP site specific to Russian wild ginseng was exploited by multiple alignments of mitochondrial nad7 intron 3 regions of different ginseng samples. With the SNP-based specific primer, Russian wild ginseng was successfully discriminated from Chinese and Korean cultivated ginseng samples by allele-specific PCR. The reliability and specificity of the SNP marker was validated by checking 20 individuals of Russian wild ginseng samples with real-time allele-specific PCR assay.

Conclusion

An effective DNA method for molecular discrimination of Russian wild ginseng from Chinese and Korean cultivated ginseng was developed. The established real-time allele-specific PCR was simple and reliable, and the present method should be a crucial complement of chemical analysis for authentication of Russian wild ginseng.

Anticancer Activities of Protopanaxadiol- and Protopanaxatriol-Type Ginsenosides and Their Metabolites

Recently, most anticancer drugs are derived from natural resources such as marine, microbial, and botanical sources, but the low success rates of chemotherapies and the development of multidrug resistance emphasize the importance of discovering new compounds that are both safe and effective against cancer. Ginseng types, including Asian ginseng, American ginseng, and notoginseng, have been used traditionally to treat various diseases, due to their immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, antioxidative, and antitumor activities. Accumulating reports have shown that ginsenosides, the major active component of ginseng, were helpful for tumor treatment. 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PDS) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol saponins (PTS) are two characteristic types of triterpenoid saponins in ginsenosides. PTS holds capacity to interfere with crucial metabolism, while PDS could affect cell cycle distribution and prodeath signaling. This review aims at providing an overview of PTS and PDS, as well as their metabolites, regarding their different anticancer effects with the proposal that these compounds might be potent additions to the current chemotherapeutic strategy against cancer.