Abstract :
Arabic jujube leaves (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) contain various bioactive compounds and dichloromethane extract from the roots exhibits immunomodulatory activity. This study aims to determine the activity of a 70% ethanol extract of Arabic jujube leaves as an immunomodulator in male white rats based on macrophage phagocytic activity and capacity. Arabic jujube leaves were macerated for 24 hours. Rats were divided into 6 treatment groups. Each group consisted of 4 rats. Group I was administered water as a normal control, Group II was given Na-CMC as a negative control, and Group III was administered 2.7 mg/0.54 mL Phyllanthus niruri L. (P. niruri) product as a positive control, and Groups IV-VI were given 70% ethanol extract of Arabic jujube leaves at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW. On the 8th day, Groups II - VI were infected with Staphylococcus aureus. The average values of macrophage phagocytic activity in mice treated with the 70% ethanol extract of Arabic jujube leaves at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW were 65.25%, 73.50%, and 79.75%, respectively, whereas the macrophage phagocytic capacities were 448.5, 479.0, and 537.3, respectively. The higher the dose of extract, the higher the macrophage phagocytic activity and capacity, which indicates greater immunomodulatory activity. ANOVA showed that the macrophage phagocytic activity and capacity significantly differed among Groups I-VI. Data analysis using Duncan’s test showed that the phagocytic activity in Group III (positive control) was not significantly different from Group IV (treated with 400 mg/kg BW 70% ethanol extract of Arabic jujube leaves), whereas the phagocytic capacity of macrophages in the peritoneum of rats in the test groups significantly differed from the positive control group. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the 70% ethanol extract of Arabic jujube leaves has immunomodulatory activity in rats. The phagocytic activity of the 70% ethanol extract of Arabic jujube leaves at a dose of 400 mg/kg BW was not significantly different from that of the P. niruri product at a dose of 2.7 mg/0.54 mL, but its phagocytic capacity was slightly reduced.