Nurizfantiar, M. Afif and Sulistyo Putri, Herdiani and Airlangga, Prananda Surya and Santoso, Kohar Hari and Waloejo, Christrijogo Sumartono and Mahmudah (2026) 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. International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology, 16 (1). 181 - 187.

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Abstract

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. Copyright © 2026 Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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