Differential modulation of immune response and cytokine profiles of Sargassum horneri ethanol extract in murine spleen with or without Concanavalin A stimulation

The health benefit of brown seaweeds has been proclaimed for centuries, particularly in Asian countries. A brown seaweed Sargassum horneri has been suggested to have immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory/immune-regulatory effects, but their mechanism is still elusive. This study researches the immunological effect of 70% ethanol extract of S. horneri (SHE) on unstimulated and Con A-stimulated murine splenocytes. When treated alone, SHE had an immune stimulatory effect on CD3e(+) CD4(+) T-helper cells, CD3e(+) CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells, CD45(+) CD11b(+) macrophages, Ly-6C(+) Ly-6 G(+) granulocytes, and Ly6 G(-) Ly6C(low) eosinophils. Furthermore, SHE enhanced wide spectrum of Th cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma (Th1), IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 (Th2), and IL-6 (Th17), which also stimulated the macrophage polarizing cytokines and enhanced macrophage derived cytokine secretion. SHE in Con A (5 mu g/mL) stimulated cells decreased T-helper, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes. These results signify the potential immuno-modulatory effect of SHE which can be developed as a therapeutic agent in immuno-compromised individuals.