Immunomodulatory and Hepatoprotective Effects of Extract from Coffee-Like Product Derived from Rhizophora mucronata Fruit of Sangihe Islands in LPS-Treated Mice

Abstract

The mangrove fruit Rhizophora mucronata, native to Indonesia's Sangihe Islands, represents a promising functional food ingredient. This study evaluated the immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective potential of a coffee-like extract derived from this fruit in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation mouse model. Thirty male BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into six groups (n=5/group): normal control, LPS control, LPS+vitamin E (500 mg/kg), and LPS+extract (500, 1000, or 1500 mg/kg). Extracts were administered orally for 14 consecutive days prior to LPS challenge (5 mg/kg). Phytochemical screening identified steroids (10.84 mg/kg), terpenoids (2.50 mg/kg), and saponins (0.52 mg/kg), alongside moderate antioxidant activity (IC₅₀=113.66 µg/mL). Proximate analysis revealed moisture (5.31%), ash (5.25%), protein (13.07%), fat (11.17%), carbohydrate (65.21%), energy value (413.61 kcal), and caffeine content (0.96%). LPS administration significantly reduced serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations from 2700 ± 29.42 µg/mL (normal) to 1890 ± 12.83 µg/mL. One-way ANOVA (F₍₅,₂₄₎ = 1368.34, p < 0.001) with Tukey's HSD post-hoc test demonstrated that the 500 mg/kg dose partially restored IgG levels (2600 ± 26.90 µg/mL, p < 0.05 vs. normal), while the 1000 and 1500 mg/kg doses achieved full restoration (2739 ± 18.53 and 2737 ± 2.55 µg/mL, respectively), statistically comparable to both normal and vitamin E groups (p > 0.05). At the higher doses, the extract also attenuated hepatic injury, evidenced by increased healthy hepatocyte counts and reduced nuclear abnormalities (pyknosis, karyorrhexis, karyolysis). These preliminary findings indicate that R. mucronata coffee-like extract exhibits notable immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective properties, warranting further translational investigation.