Immunomodulator activity of nanosuspension of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) leaf extract in Balb/c mice

Abstract

This study intends to examine the immunomodulatory effects of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) leaves in vivo in mice using two types of comparison between the crude extract form and the nanosuspension form. Cocoa leaf extract is made from young leaves (YL) and old leaves (OL), where the extraction of active compounds from cocoa leaves was carried out by maceration using 96% ethanol. YL and OL in crude extract and nanosuspensions were tested for their immunomodulatory effects in vivo in BALB/c mice through tests against nonspecific and specific immune responses. Tests for nonspecific immune responses include carbon clearance tests, organ index determination, and testing against specific immune responses, including measurement of antibody titers as humoral immune responses and cytokine levels as a cellular immune response. Results showed that the three doses of OL and YL extract (i.e., 50,100,200 mg/kg BW), both in crude form extract and nanosuspensions, had immunosuppressive effects characterized by phagocytic index <1. YL and OL have the same immunosuppressive effect. Extract in nanosuspensions show a more substantial immunosuppressive effect than crude extract. In testing against specific immune responses, all three doses of extract in both crude form extract and nanosuspension inhibited antibody, IFN-γ, and IL-2 formation. Based on those results, it can be concluded that all three doses of YL/OL in both crude and nanosuspension forms are immunosuppressive.

Keywords

• Cocoa leaf extract
• young leaves
• old leaves
• nanosuspension
• immunomodulator activity

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