MeOH Fraction from Beneficial Microorganisms Fermented Product Promotes the Expression of Th1 (IFN-γ) Cytokine and Decreases Expression of Th2 Cytokines in C57BL/6 Mice

We investigated the effect of a beneficial microorganisms (BM) fermented product on the induction of cytokines in C57BL/6 mice. The culture supernatants of splenocytes exposed to 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq. MeOH) fraction from the BM product plus concanavalin A (Con A) were harvested to determine the production of Th1 (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2, IL-17A) and Th2 [IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12/IL-23(p40)] cytokines. Cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reader. Co-administration of the 85% aq. MeOH fraction with Con A resulted in a significantly higher IFN-gamma expression than that observed with Con A alone (P < 0.01), but significantly decreased TNF-a and IL-17A expression (P<0.05). Treatment with 85% aq. MeOH fraction plus Con A also significantly decreased the expression of Th2 [IL-4, IL-5, IL-12/IL-23(p40)] cytokines (P<0.01). These findings demonstrate that 85% aq. MeOH fraction from the BM product downregulates the immediate hypersensitivity reaction induced by Con A. These results also suggest that 85% aq. MeOH fraction from the BM product may have potential application in preventive or adjunct anti-inflammatory therapy, where it acts by modulating the production of cytokines.