At Zaccha, science meets proof and purpose

Scientific innovation designed to help you live your best years

The science of immune health: your body’s natural defence force

Immune health is the key to healthy aging

A well-functioning immune system is central to living a long, healthy life. Many chronic conditions—from infections (e.g., pneumonia) to inflammatory diseases (e.g., type 2 diabetes, asthma)—are linked to immune dysfunction or dysregulation. Supporting your immune health today helps your body stay resilient for decades to come.

Balance is the key to immune health

Immune health isn’t just about ‘boosting’—it’s about balance. Immune modulation helps your body respond appropriately: activating defenses when needed and calming overactive responses. This balance is key to preventing inflammation, infections, and autoimmune issues.

Role of T cells—”master conductor” in the immunological orchestra

T cells play a critical role in adaptive immunity, orchestrating targeted responses against pathogens and abnormal cells. They detect threats, coordinate actions, and remember past infections. Healthy T cell function is essential for fighting cancer and infections, controlling inflammation, and supporting long-term health.

Bioactive polysaccharides’ benefits on immune health

Bioactive polysaccharides are natural complex carbohydrates known for their powerful immunomodulatory effects. They balance immune activation and regulation while exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antiviral activities that collectively strengthen the body’s defenses and promote overall well-being.

GPComplex® patented bioactive polysaccharide

GPComplex®, extracted from Chinese licorice root through our patented process, has been extensively studied for its immune health benefits. Chinese licorice root is a superior source of bioactive polysaccharides, valued for its medicinal properties, safety, versatility, and minimal interaction with other supplements or medications.

GPComplex® works in our body through two pathways

About 70% of immune cells reside in the gut, within the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) defence system. GPComplex® works directly by activating receptors on immune cells in GALT, triggering T-cell activation.

It also works indirectly by acting like a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut microbiome to reduce inflammation and strengthen the gut barrier, supporting overall immune balance.

scientist checking t-cell activator in microscope

Not all immune health supplements are made equal

While others only rely on stories, we rely on clinical evidence — because your health deserves proof, not just promises

The bioactivities of GPComplex® are clinically tested to the highest standard

While 99% of health supplements are sold without rigorous human testing—since they are generally regarded as safe and often regulated as food—we went above and beyond, investing in 5 rigorous human trials to ensure both real-world efficacy and safety, making GPComplex® one of the top evidence-based ingredients for immune health.

SEE OUR CLINICAL STUDIES

Full of studies on GPComplex® and licorice polysaccharide

GPComplex® polysaccharides significantly alleviated cancer-related fatigue by reducing Piper, BFI, and QLQ-C30 scores while increasing KPS scores, indicating improved physical condition. It also enhanced total lymphocyte and CD3⁺ T cell counts, demonstrating immune regulation and strengthened immunity. Conducted by: Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital (2023)

Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides improve chronic bronchitis symptoms by enhancing macrophage and neutrophil phagocytosis and chemotaxis, while stimulating IL-2 and interferon (INF-7) to promote lymphocyte proliferation and increase the CD4⁺ and CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ratio. Conducted by: Longhua Hospital, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine First Affiliated Hospital, and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital and Shuguang Hospital.

GPComplex® polysaccharides increase CD3⁺, CD4⁺T-cells, Th1, and Th17, while reducing Th2 and Treg levels, improving Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance. This modulates immune function, boosts T-cell proliferation, and enhances antitumor effects and fatigue relief. Behavioral tests show GPComplex® prolongs swimming time, reduces immobility in the tail suspension test, and improves open-field activity in LAC-1 lung cancer mice. Conducted by: Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2023)

Summary: Oral GPComplex® polysaccharides for 32 days showed a trend of inhibiting H460 lung cancer growth in a mouse xenograft model. In cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice, a 14-day treatment increased CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ cells, reduced CD335⁺ cells, promoted T-cell proliferation, and enhanced immune function. Conducted by: Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research New Drug Evaluation Co., Ltd.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharides, especially those of low molecular weight have a potential as anticancer agents. It has the ability to up-regulate anticancer cytokine IL-7, which is important in proliferation and maturation of immune cells and it is associated with better prognosis in cancer. Therefore, immunomodulation is a possible mode of action of the polysaccharides in cancer therapy. Published in: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2016)

Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides significantly suppressed tumor growth, increased immune organ indices, activated CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ immune cells, and modulated cytokine production by increasing IL-2, IL-6, IL-7 levels, and decreasing TNFα levels, in CT 26 tumor-bearing mice.

Summary: This study investigated the effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharide on gut microbiota and immune function in healthy mice. The results demonstrated that Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharide modulated specific gut bacteria and metabolites, leading to enhanced immune responses. Published in: Nutrients (2025)

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Polysaccharides (GUPS) is rapidly cleared from the body after intravenous administration. Conversely, after oral administration, GUPS is absorbed by the gut, enters the blood circulation, and accumulates predominantly in the liver, kidneys, and lungs. Further insights were gained using the Caco-2 cell model, which reconfirmed that GUPS is absorbed by the small intestine epithelium predominantly through macropinocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Published in: Frontiers in Pharmacology (2024)

Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides is a broad-spectrum inflammasome inhibitor, and has the potential to be developed as a treatment for inflammasome mediators. The great potential of clinical drugs for leading diseases (such as acute lung injury, new coronavirus pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, etc. Published in: Journal of Functional Foods (2023)

Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide was able to show good immunomodulatory activity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In particular, it can effectively promote the phagocytosis and antigen-presenting ability of dendritic cells (DCs) in regulating the immune activity of dendritic cells in vitro. At the same time, the transcriptomic analysis revealed that glycyrrhiza polysaccharide influenced the TLR-2 and TLR-4 pathways, and further regulated the viability of DCs through the PI3K- AKT signaling pathway and various downstream signaling pathways. Published in: Frontiers in Immunology (2022)

Summary: As the main active component of Glycyrrhiza, GP has many biological activities, such as anti-oxidation, immune regulation, anti-tumor, apoptosis, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and regulation of intestinal flora. Published in: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (2021)

This research investigated the immunostimulatory effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharides (GUPS) on dendritic cells (DCs) and in mouse models. The findings demonstrated that GUPS promoted the maturation and function of DCs, enhanced cytokine production, and improved immune responses in both normal and immunosuppressed mice. Published in: PeerJ (2020)

Summary: This research focused on the preparation and characterization of Glycyrrhiza uralensis polysaccharides and their immuno-enhancing activity. The polysaccharides were found to enhance the maturation and function of dendritic cells, suggesting potential as an immuno-enhancing agent. Published in: Biomolecules (2020)

Summary: Glycyrrhiza polysaccharides increased the pinocytic activity, the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and IL-12 in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicated that the beneficial therapeutic effects of GP may be attributed partly to its ability to modulate macrophage immune functions. Published: International Immunopharmacology (2008)

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1567576907003165

Our scientific advisory board

Dr. JEREMY LIM

Dr. Jeremy Lim leads AMILI, Southeast Asia’s first dedicated gut microbiome company. He is trained in surgery and preventive medicine and serves as adjunct faculty at the National University of Singapore. He also regularly consults for global organisations such as the World Health Organization and World Bank.

PROF. BIAN YU HONG

Prof. Bian is the Dean of the School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China. A renowned expert in integrating Chinese and Western medicine, she was trained in immunology and cell biology in the UK. She holds a UK patent and has published over 100 papers, including more than 30 indexed by SCI.

Dr. WEILI XU

Dr. Xu obtained his Ph.D. in Immunology (A*STAR-SIgN × Nanyang Technological University) in Singapore, with a thesis on T cells and immune aging. He has contributed to research in areas including cancer, COVID-19, inflammatory bowel disease, and dengue, and has over 20 publications, with an h-index of 15 and more than 1,500 citations.