Water-Soluble Fiber from Bengkoang (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) Tuber Modulates Immune System Activity in Male Mice

Abstract

Our previous study showed that water-soluble fiber from bengkoang (Pachyrizus erosus (L.) Urban) fiber extract (BFE) and bengkoang fiber fraction B (BFE-B) have phagocytic activity and modulation of cytokine production in vitro. The present study evaluates the immunomodulatory effects of water-soluble fibers BFE and BFE-B on male mice induced by hepatitis B vaccine. Thirty mice were divided into six groups and induced by hepatitis B vaccine intraperitoneally on days 7 and 14. The mice were then treated with BFE, BFE-B, levamisole, or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for 18 days. At the end of the treatments (day 19), phagocytic activity, lymphocyte proliferation, spleen index, cytokine, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) production were determined. The results showed that the water-soluble fiber treatment could significantly increase phagocytic capacity, nitric oxide production, and spleen index. However, BFE-B could modulate tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10 secretion, BFE demonstrated no such effect on cytokine production. Lymphocyte proliferation assay revealed that treatment with 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) BFE and 50 mg/kg BW BFE-B could significantly enhance lymphocyte proliferation. Treatment with 25 and 50 mg/kg BW BFE-B stimulated IgG production. In conclusion, BFE and BFE-B similarly have immunomodulatory effects on innate immune responses. BFE-B further demonstrated immunomodulatory effects on adaptive immune responses.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Methanolic Extract and Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Bengkoang (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) Tuber in Mice

“…8 The BFE-B fraction of a water-soluble fiber was reported to have an immunomodulatory effect on the innate and adaptive immune responses. 9 The above study indicates that bengkoang tuber has the potential for development as a functional food that is efficacious as an immunomodulator.…”

Aktivitas Imunomodulator Ekstrak Petroleum Eter Umbi Bengkoang (Pachyrhizus erosus) pada Mencit Balb/c yang Diinduksi Vaksin Hepatitis B

“…Bukti ilmiah yang mendukung pemanfaatan bengkoang dalam bidang kesehatan antara lain sebagai antioksidan, zat penghambat enzim tirosinase (Lukitaningsih & Holzgrabe, 2014), mencegah hilangnya massa tulang pada tikus yang dibuat model osteoporosis (Nurrochmad et al, 2010), agen kemopreventif (Nurrochmad et al, 2013), penurun kadar gula darah pada hewan uji mencit yang dibuat diabetes dengan diinduksi streptozotocin (Park & Han, 2015), ekstrak fiber bengkoang (BFE) yang bersifat polar menunjukkan aktivitas imunomodulator in vitro maupun in vivo dengan menstimulasi aktivitas fagositosis, meningkatkan produksi sitokin dan imunoglobulin (Kumalasari et al, 2013). Ekstrak fiber bengkoang (BFE) dan fraksi B dari BFE yang merupakan serat larut air dapat memodulasi sistem imun dengan meningkatkan respon imun innate dan adaptive (Baroroh et al, 2020). Penelitian tersebut menunjukkan bahwa bengkoang berpotensi dikembangkan sebagai tanaman yang berkhasiat sebagai imunomodulator.…”

The Bioactivity and Phytochemicals of Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb.: A Multifunctional Underutilized Crop Plant

“…In a similar study, the in vivo immune modulation activity of water soluble PTF from P. erosus was observed in BALB/c mice. An increase in phagocytotic macrophages, TNF-alpha production, NO production from the peritoneal macrophages, and lymphocyte proliferation was found with the administration of PTFE after the HBV [ 15 ] ( Table 2 and Table 3 ).…”

“…Like the traditional medicinal plants, it is used in folk medicine and is known for its antioxidant properties [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Different parts of the plant have pharmacological and health-promoting properties, which have the potential to be utilized in different biological activities and diseases, such as antioxidants, immune modulation, anti-aging effects, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and viral and fungal diseases [ 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…However, the use of P. erosus in folk medicine has been reported [ 8 , 27 ]. Therefore, researchers have explored the presence of dietary fiber, protein, carbohydrates, inulin, vitamin C, folates, riboflavins, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, thiamin, and other phytochemicals in the tubers of P. erosus , which has provided the basis of its pharmacological potential [ 6 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Similarly, the seeds and leaves are also rich in different phytochemicals, which further encourages researchers to develop natural drugs and cosmetics [ 4 , 9 , 10 , 13 ].…”