Increasing of IFNγ Expression in Transformed Cells of Balb/c Mice Due to Ethanol Extract Cocoa Beans (Theobroma cacao)

Abstract

As current technology cannot cure cancer completely, prevention becomes the main choice. To prevent the development of cell transformation into cancer cells, polyphenols that are widely found in cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao) can be used. IFNγ plays an important role in immunity against cancer. This study aims to see the ability of cocoa beans ethanol extract to increase the number of IFNγ expression in Balb/c mice undergoing cell transformation. This study used three groups Balb/c (n=4), namely K1 (normal control), K2 (negative control: injected with benzopyrene without ethanol extract of cocoa beans), and K3 (treatment: injected with benzopyrene, given 4mg/30gBW/po/day ethanol extract of cocoa beans). The mice were biopsied, and IFNγ expression was examined by immune histochemical method. The results showed that IFNγ expression increased significantly in K3. It can be concluded that ethanol extract of cocoa beans could increase IFNγ expression in Balb/c mice undergoing cell transformation.