Enhancing immunomodulatory properties of Javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) kombucha against diethylnitrosamine in male Balb/c mice

Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage, made by the addition of symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY). This study utilized Javanese turmeric in a concentration of 0.4 % (w/v) as a kombucha fermentation medium and evaluated its immunomodulatory activity, compared to non-fermented Javanese turmeric beverage. Forty-two healthy male BalB/C mice (20–30 g, 2–3 weeks old) were divided randomly into five groups with seven mice each. The groups were fed: Normal diet; normal diet + Javanese turmeric kombucha; normal diet + diethylnitrosamine (DEN); DEN + non-fermented Javanese turmeric and DEN + Javanese turmeric kombucha. Kombuchas and non-fermented Javanese turmeric were given at dose of 0.3 mL/20 g BW/day. The mice were injected with 100 mg/kg DEN intraperitoneally. The spleen was collected and analyzed for CD4⁺, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α⁺), interleukin-6 (IL-6⁺), CD8⁺, CD11b⁺, and IL-10⁺. The statistical analyses included ANOVA and the Fischer's exact test. The percentage of CD8⁺, CD11b⁺, and CD8⁺ IL-10⁺ increased significantly (p < 0.05) among DEN-induced groups, Javanese turmeric kombucha and these values were higher than non-fermented Javanese turmeric. These findings verify that Javanese turmeric kombucha possessed better immunomodulatory activity compared to non-fermented Javanese turmeric.