INTERLEUKIN LEVELS IN THE Zingiber cassumunar-TREATED MICE

Abstract

The protein compound, cytokine, is responsible for the body’s immune system. Several cytokines acting as key regulators of infection include IL-10, IL-12, and IL-14. The chemical content of Zingiber cassumunar shows potential immunomodulatory effects. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Zingiber cassumunar ethanol extract (EEZC) on the expressions of IL-10, IL-12, and IL-14. The test animals, BALB/c mice which were treated for 21 days, were divided into five groups, i.e., normal group (untreated), negative control group (treated with 10% of tween 80), and three treatment groups that respectively received 1.25 mg, 2.5mg, and 5mg/20g BW of EEZC. On the 22nd day, the mice were induced with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneally (except for the normal group). The interleukin expression was observed by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies, and the expressed cells were counted under a microscope. The 21-day administration of EEZC at doses of 1.25 mg, 2.5mg, and 5mg/20g BW significantly increased the expression of IL-10, IL-12, and IL-14 in proportion to the dose thereby suggesting the potency of the extract to induce both innate and adaptive immunity. This activity may be attributable to curcumin as the active compound of the extract.