# The Immune Regulation of Melanin From Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson Against Cyclophosphamide‐Induced Immunosuppression

## TL;DR

Melanin from black-bone silky fowl can boost the immune system and reduce damage caused by chemotherapy drugs.

## Contribution

This study reveals the immunoregulatory effects and mechanisms of black-bone silky fowl melanin in a mouse model of immunosuppression.

## Key findings

- BSFM increased white blood cells and immune-related proteins like IL-4, TNF-α, and M-CSF.
- BSFM reduced tissue damage and modulated gut microbiota, increasing beneficial bacterial species.
- BSFM altered protein and metabolite levels, impacting lipid catabolism and immune pathways.

## Abstract

Black‐bone silky fowl (
Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson), medicinal food homology, utilizes to enhance human immunity. However, it remains unclear whether Black‐bone silky fowl melanin (BSFM), one of its bioactive components, could affect immune function. The purpose of this study is to examine the immunoregulatory effect and the underlying mechanism of BSFM in the cyclophosphamide‐induced immunosuppressive mice model. The findings revealed that BSFM could significantly increase white blood cells (WBC) in peripheral blood; upregulate the expression of IL‐4, TNF‐α, and M‐CSF in the plasma; and reduce tissue damage. Mechanistically, proteomics has revealed that BSFM therapy substantially affected the quantity of 29 proteins (Mtatp6, Cst3, Pglyrp1, Igkc, and other targets), which mostly participate in the phosphatidylcholine catabolic process, positive regulation of type IIa hypersensitivity, lipid catabolic process, and neutrophil chemotaxis. Metabolomics indicated that BSFM reduced the levels of Octanoylglucuronide, Gly‐Gly, and N‐alpha‐acetyl‐ornithine and modulated arginine biosynthesis. Furthermore, BSFM treatment modified the composition of gut microbiota and increased the relative abundance of Prevotella, S24‐7, Olsenella, Lactococcus, hgcl‐clade, Parasutterella, and Acetobacter. A significant correlation modified the composition of gut microbiota among inflammation‐associated parameters, gut microbiota, and various metabolites (DMs) through Pearson correlation analysis. These findings suggest that BSFM holds promise in enhancing the human immune system and may serve as a complementary therapy in conventional chemotherapy.

Melanin from
Gallus gallus
domesticus Brisson (BSFM) can bolster the immune system by increasing WBC in peripheral blood, stimulating the production of IL‐4, M‐CSF, and TNF‐α in the plasma, and by reducing thymus and spleen damage. BSFM therapy substantially increased the expression of immune‐related proteins, such as Cst3 and lgkc. BSFM treatment modified the composition of gut microbiota and increased the relative abundance of Prevotella, S24‐7, Olsenella, Lactococcus, hgcl‐clade, Parasutterella, and Acetobacter.