Immunomodulatory Activity of Okra Raw Polysaccharide Extract by Regulating Tnf-a, Ifn-g Levels, and Cell Apoptosis in Den-induced Mice

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) was commonly found in tropical and sub-tropical country. It contains high level of polyssacharide and secondary metabolites. Hence, no in vivo studies have explored okra’s ability as immunomodulatory agent toward hepatocarcinogenic condition. This study aims to evaluate the effect of okra raw polysaccharide extract (ORPE) on cytokine levels and cell apoptosis and necrosis of mice with hepatocarcinogenic condition induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). A total of 36 adult male mice (BALB/C) were acclimatized for 14 days and were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group without any treatment (CN), negative control induced by DEN with no ORPE administration (C-), positive control induced by DEN with 10mg/kg BB doxorubicin administration (C+), and ORPE treatment of dose 50mg/kg BW (P1), 100mg/kg BW (P2) and 200mg/kg BW (P3) which previously have been injected with DEN. The level of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using the ELISA method. The percentage of apoptosis and necrosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. The administration of ORPE significantly increased the level of TNF-α in DEN-induced liver cancer mice. While it did not cause significant changes in the percentage of apoptosis in mice hepatocytes. These results suggest that ORPE has an immunomodulatory effect on the cytokine of hepatocarcinogenic mice which can be used as a cancer therapy in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.