Gwakhyangjeonggi-san (GJS) is a traditional herbal medicine used in East Asia for the treatment of symptoms involving lower intestinal abnormalities; however, the effects of GJS on innate immunity and its cellular mechanisms of action have not been elucidated. In this study, we assessed the immune-enhancing activity and underlying mechanisms of GJS using RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. The results showed that GJS treatment significantly increased the secretion of nitric oxide and cytokines and their mRNA expression in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells without causing cytotoxicity. GJS treatment also significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species, as well as inducing phagocytic activity, adhesion function, and migration ability, all of which improved the immune response. In addition, GJS activated nuclear factor-κB by promoting the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB alpha. Furthermore, GJS markedly increased the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in RAW 264.7 cells. These findings indicate that GJS has potential value as a dietary supplement for strengthening immunity.
Keywords: Gwakhyangjeonggi-san; immune function; immunoregulation; macrophage; mitogen-activated protein kinase; nuclear factor-κB.