Undaria pinnatifida Fucoidan-Rich Extract Induces Both Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses

Fucoidans are widely used as an ingredient of dietary supplements. We investigated the immune stimulatory activities of Undaria pinnatifida (Alariaceae) fucoidan-rich extract (UPF-RE) in vitro as well as in vivo. In vitro, the extract stimulated Raw 264.7 cells to produce significant nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6). It also induced the proliferation of primary mouse splenocytes and the secretion of IL-4, which correlated with the phosphorylation of Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) protein. In in vivo experiments, first, 50 mg/kg of 3 different types of UPF-RE, DSU02, DSU02L (low molecular weight, <3 kDa), and DSU02H (high molecular weight, >10 kDa), were orally administered to C57BL/6 mice. After 14 days, the frequencies of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells and NK cells from each group were analyzed. Plasma concentrations of TNF-α and IFN-γ were determined. The frequencies of CD3+ and CD4+ showed a statistically significant increase in splenocytes isolated from the DSU02 and DSU02H groups. Also, there was significant production of TNF-α and IFN-γ from the DSU02 group. Second, 3 different concentrations of DSU02 (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) were orally administered. After 14 days, the proliferative capacity of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells was investigated, and the plasma concentrations of IgM and total IgG were determined. Plasma concentration of IgM from the DSU02 150 mg/kg group was statistically significantly higher compared with that from the other groups. We suggest that UPF-RE could be a good candidate for a natural immune stimulator to induce innate as well as adaptive immune responses.