Background: Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain condition that is difficult to manage and is often associated with neuroinflammatory processes, including increased levels of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1). Pregabalin is a first-line therapy for neuropathic pain; however, its effectiveness is limited by dose-related adverse effects. Cocoa contains bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties, suggesting its potential use as an adjuvant therapy. Method: This experimental study employed a randomized post-test only design using a mouse model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI). Animals were divided into several treatment groups: K0 as the negative control group without treatment; K1 receiving pregabalin at a dose of 60 mg/kgBW; K2 receiving a combination of pregabalin 60 mg/kgBW and cocoa extract at a dose of 1 mg/gBW; and K3 receiving a half-dose of pregabalin (30 mg/kgBW) combined with cocoa extract at a dose of 1 mg/gBW. Pain assessment was performed using the von Frey test, while serum MCP-1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Administration of cocoa extract as an adjuvant to pregabalin 60mg/kgBW resulted in higher mechanical pain thresholds and greater reductions in MCP-1 levels compared to groups without adjuvant therapy. Conclusion: Cocoa extract has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of pregabalin in reducing neuropathic pain through modulation of MCP-1 in a CCI animal model..
Keywords: neuropathic pain; cocoa extract; pregabalin; MCP-1; chronic constriction injury Studies
How to cite this article: Nurizfantiar MA, Putri HS, Airlangga PS, Santoso KH, Waloejo CS, Mahmudah, Effectiveness of Cocoa Extract as an Adjunctive Therapy to Pregabalin on Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) Levels and Pain Scores in an Animal Model of Neuropathic Pain..Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(1s): 311-317; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16. 311-317