Antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic potential of Theobroma cacao Linn. husk aqueous extracts

Julius Kevin Cura,Antonio Basilio,Ma Cristina De Las Llagas

doi:10.1186/s40816-021-00320-1

Julius Kevin Cura, Antonio Basilio + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40816-021-00320-1

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundTheobroma cacao Linn. husks are considered agricultural wastes, but studies show that they exhibit natural compounds that may be used in alternative medicine. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic potential of T. cacao husk aqueous extracts (TCE).ResultsA significantly higher glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI) was shown by 10% TCE than the rest of the concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, 7%) (P<0.05), and its activity is comparable with 5% Metformin (positive control) after 30 min, 60 min, 120 min and 180 min of incubation. The 7% TCE also showed significantly higher GDRI than the 5%, 3%, and 1% concentrations (P<0.05), and its activity is comparable with 5% Metformin after 60 min and 180 min of incubation. Moreover, 10% TCE exhibited a significantly higher glucose uptake percentage than the rest of the samples (P<0.05) and has activity comparable with 5% Metformin. The anti-inflammatory assay showed a significantly higher inhibition rate of 10% TCE than the rest of the concentrations (P<0.05), and its activity is comparable with 5% Diclofenac (positive control). The cytotoxicity assay showed that the percentage mortality of brine shrimps after 24 h of exposure to the different TCE samples is less than 50%.ConclusionThis study concludes that T. cacao husk aqueous extract has potential antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties without being toxic to cells.

Highlights

Theobroma cacao Linn. husks are considered agricultural wastes, but studies show that they exhibit natural compounds that may be used in alternative medicine
Reaction mixtures consisting of 1 ml of 25 mmol/L glucose solution, 1 ml microwell, and absorbance was read at 540 nm using of 0.15 mol NaCl solution, and 1 ml of the different Epoch Microplate Spectrophotometer (Biotek, Winooski, T. cacao husk aqueous extracts (TCE) samples and 5% Metformin were prepared in separ- USA)
Glucose diffusion assay Glucose diffusion assay was conducted to determine the inhibitory effect of the TCE concentrations relative to 5% Metformin on the movement of glucose across a dialysis membrane

Summary

Introduction

Theobroma cacao Linn. husks are considered agricultural wastes, but studies show that they exhibit natural compounds that may be used in alternative medicine. This study was conducted to determine the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic potential of T. cacao husk aqueous extracts (TCE). Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. It is one of the most common forms of chronic diseases, globally affecting almost all ethnic groups. Around 285 million people worldwide have diabetes, most of them living in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the number of people with diabetes mellitus could increase to 438 million by 2030 worldwide [1]. There is an increased research interest in discovering alternative anti-inflammatory agents with little or no side effects [4]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion