In vitro studies on the immunomodulatory effects of fulvic acid extract from palm oil empty fruit bunch (OPEFB)

Abstract

This study evaluates the potential of Fulvic Acid (FA), derived from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB), as an immunomodulatory agent through in vitro analysis. Fulvic Acid, a component of humic substances, is known for its wide-ranging applications in agriculture, biotechnology, and medicine. With an increasing need for sustainable natural therapies, FA has shown promise in treating degenerative diseases by modulating immune responses. The research focused on assessing the immunomodulatory effects of FA by analysing its impact on cytokine production. In vitro studies used the MTT assay to determine cytotoxicity and ELISA tests to measure cytokines associated with natural immunity (TNF-alpha and Interferon-gamma) and adaptive immunity (IL-2 and TGF-beta). Comparative evaluations were performed using FA samples from Shilajit and a fertiliser product. Results demonstrated that FA derived from OPEFB significantly enhanced cytokine production, suggesting its potential as an immunomodulatory agent. These findings indicate that FA from OPEFB could be a promising candidate for developing treatments for degenerative diseases. Further studies are recommended to explore its therapeutic potential and commercial application in the health sector.