PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF COCOA EXTRACT ON LPS INDUCED INFLAMMATION IN MICROGLIA.

Abstract

Neuroinflammation is a significant factor in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Microglial cells, the primary immune cells of the central nervous system, play a crucial role in mediating inflammatory responses. Chronic activation of microglia increases damage to neurons through the secretiotial. Future researchn of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Identifying compounds that can modulate microglial activation presents significant therapeutic potential. This research looks at the protective effects of cocoa extract on inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in murine BV-2 microglial cells. Cytotoxicity assays indicated that cocoa extract is safe for BV-2 cells at concentrations up to 250 μg/mL, with an estimated IC50 of 330 μg/mL. Subsequent experiments employed non-toxic cocoa concentrations of 3 and 15 μg/mL. Western blot analyses demonstrated that both concentrations significantly decreased LPS-induced expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner, indicating substantial anti-inflammatory activity. The findings suggest that cocoa extract has neuroprotective properties, potentially mediated by the modulation of inflammatory pathways. Further characterization of cocoa's bioactive constituents and in vivo validation are essential. Future research must prioritize detailed mechanistic studies, quantify specific flavonoids, and evaluate efficacy in animal models to substantiate the therapeutic potential of cocoa-derived compounds for neuroinflammatory conditions.