Mpon-Mpon Chewable Lozenges For Immunomodulatory

Abstract

Mpon-mpon is made from various types of plants or spices such as ginger, curcuma, turmeric, lemongrass, and cinnamon, which have long been used to strengthen the immune system and increase stamina, preventing fatigue and illness. Three formulas were created with varying proportions of glycerin and gelatin: Formula I (10%:90%), Formula II (20%:80%), and Formula III (30%:70%). The resulting chewable lozenges were tested for physical properties, including weight uniformity, dissolution time, water content, and taste response using a questionnaire by respondents. All formulas met the requirements from all test results, and in the taste response test, respondents chose Formula II. Based on research conducted by Harun et al. (2020), ginger exhibits immunomodulatory activity for in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Lemongrass contains flavonoids, essential oils, and phenolic compounds that have antioxidant activity that can improve health according to research by Oledeji (2019). According to Cundeel and Wilkinson (2014), curcumin found in turmeric and Javanese ginger exhibits inhibitory activity against NF-κB and the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme. According to Qadir et al. (2018), cinnamon ethanol extract has an inhibitory effect on NFATc3 (p < 0.05), TNF-Alpha (p < 0.05), CAII (p < 0.05), and mCalpain (p < 0.05), all of which are proteins involved in RA.

Keywords: Mpon-mpon, glycerin and gelatin proportion, Formula II, taste response test.