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Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is mainly grown in Asia and has been used as a medicinal plant. AGN has been reported to have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects, and to improve cognition. Recently, polysaccharides isolated from AGN and a natural product mixture containing AGN have been shown to have immunostimulatory effects. However, the effect of AGN single extracts has not been explored. Here, we investigated the immune-enhancing effects of whole AGN extract (ANE) in RAW264.7 cells (a mouse macrophage cell line) and examined whether yeast-fermented AGN extracts (FAN) might increase the effects of ANE. When RAW264.7 cells were treated with ANE or FAN, nitric oxide release, inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels, and the mRNA levels of immune-related cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and interleukin-12 were increased. Moreover, we found that the upregulation of immune modulators by AGN is associated with the activations of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways via the phosphorylation of signaling molecules. These results suggest that AGN has the potential to boost the immune system. However, further in vivo studies are needed to confirm the immunostimulatory effects of AGN.

Aster glehni Franchet et Sckmidt is mainly grown in Ulleungdo Island, Republic of Korea. It has been known as a medicinal herb that relieves frequent coughing, high fever, and severe pain. Although several recent studies have reported that Aster glehni might have neuroprotective and memory-enhancing effects, research on the effects of improving cognitive function is insufficient. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate whether ethanolic extracts from leaves and stems of Aster glehni (EAG) have an effect on improving cognitive functions, through in vitro and in vivo assays. In addition, synergistic effects on cognitive improvement were evaluated by applying a combination of EAG with the vitamin B complex (VBC). The in vivo studies determined that EAG exerts cognitive improvement effects by reducing escape latency and increasing the time spent in the platform quadrant in the Morris water maze test. EAG treatment also inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity and increased the level of acetylcholine in mouse brain tissues. Moreover, we observed a protective effect against β-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma cells. These effects were further enhanced when combined with VBC. Therefore, these findings indicate that EAG treatment in combination with VBC has the potential to improve cognitive function more effectively than a single treatment.