Uji Efek Imunomodulator Ekstrak Etanol Kulit Jeruk Nipis (Citrus aurantifolia) terhadap Aktivitas Fagositosis dan Respon Hipersensitivitas Tipe Lambat

Abstract

Background: Immunomodulators are substances that affect the body's immune system, capable of enhancing or suppressing the immune response. Flavonoid compounds, including hesperidin found in ethanol extract of lime peel (Citrus aurantifolia), can act as immunostimulants. Objective: To determine the immunomodulatory effect of ethanol extract of lime peel on phagocytosis activity and delayed-type hypersensitivity response in experimental animals. Method: In the carbon clearance method testing, mice were orally administered treatments for 7 days with CMC-Na 0.5%, imboost® at a dosage of 32.5 mg/kg BW, and ethanol extract of lime peel at dosages of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg BW. On the 8th day, carbon suspension was administered intravenously, followed by blood sampling to measure absorbance using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. After 12 hours, the mice were dissected to obtain liver and lymph samples. In the delayed-type hypersensitivity method, rats were orally treated for 14 days using CMC-Na 0.5%, levamisol at a dosage of 25 mg/kg BW, and ethanol extract of lime peel at dosages of 17.5, 35, and 70 mg/kg BW. On the 4th and 14th days, rats were injected with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and the swelling volume of the legs was observed. Results: The research results indicate that treatment with ethanol extract of lime peel at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg BW significantly increased carbon clearance rate, phagocytosis index, and mice stimulation index (p < 0.05) compared to the negative control of CMC-Na 0.5%. Administration of ethanol extract of lime peel at doses of 17.5, 35, and 70 mg/kg BW also resulted in significant swelling of rat legs (p < 0.05) compared to the negative control of CMC-Na 0.5%. Conclusion: Ethanol extract of lime peel has immunostimulant activity towards phagocytosis activity and delayed-type hypersensitivity response.