Theobroma cacao (Kako) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Theobroma cacao (Kako, Cocoa, Cacao) — family Sterculiacées.

Recognised external sources linked to this monograph: TRAMIL and French Pharmacopoeia.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 20 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The Lapo v2 catalogue records 78 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Dyslipidaemia in type 1 diabetes: hypercholesterolaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, atherosclerosis, VDL, HDL

   Plant part used: Seed.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Author (2015)

     Excerpt The present study ascertained the capacities of ethanolic Theobroma cacao Bean extract to ameliorate hyperglycemia & Dyslipidemia in Type I diabetic rats (T1-DR) following short-term treatment for 64 h. cacao Bean extract showed substantial reduction in FPGC but were hyperglycemic.

   • According to RUZAIDI A (n.d.)

     Excerpt Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism action of polyphenols present in CE, which could be utilised to lower the plasma glucose levels and stimulate insulin secretion in patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. The objective of the study was to investigate the hypoglycaemic properties of Malaysian cocoa (Theobroma cacao) polyphenols extract in-vivo and in-vitro.

   • According to Agwpuye EI (2025)

     Excerpt This research evaluated the antioxidant activities (in vitro & in vivo) & serum lipid profile of the chloroform (CETC) & ethanol (EETC) extracts of Theobroma cacao seeds in nitro-L-arginine methyl esters (L-NAME)-induced hypertension in Wister rats.

   • According to Nsor-Atindana J (2012)

     Excerpt The relatively high levels of dietary fiber coupled with associated phenolics implies that this by-product might be of interest to the food industry, considering its potential application as a functional ingredient in confectionery, bakery or in the preparation of low-fat, high-fibre dietetic products.

   • According to Kenny TP (2004)

     Excerpt Downregulation of ErbB2 and inhibition of HAEC growth by cocoa procyanidins may have several downstream implications, including reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activity and angiogenic activity associated with tumor Pathology. The intake of certain dietary flavonoids, along with other dietary substances such as tocophérols, ascorbate, & carotenoids, is epidemiologically associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

2. 2

   Type II diabetes mellitus

   Plant part used: Seed.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Author (2015)

     Excerpt The present study ascertained the capacities of ethanolic Theobroma cacao Bean extract to ameliorate hyperglycemia & Dyslipidemia in Type I diabetic rats (T1-DR) following short-term treatment for 64 h. cacao Bean extract showed substantial reduction in FPGC but were hyperglycemic.

   • According to RUZAIDI A (n.d.)

     Excerpt Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism action of polyphenols present in CE, which could be utilised to lower the plasma glucose levels and stimulate insulin secretion in patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. The objective of the study was to investigate the hypoglycaemic properties of Malaysian cocoa (Theobroma cacao) polyphenols extract in-vivo and in-vitro.

3. 3

   Bacterial dysentery: Shigella dysenteriae

   Plant part used: Seed.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Jati Misnawi (2015)

     Excerpt Dysentery (Shigellosis) caused by Shigella dysentery is one of the gastrointestinal infection showing resistance towards antibiotic. This study evaluated the anti-bacterial ability of a cocoa bean ethanolic extract on the growth & morphological changes of S.

   • According to Wulandari Pipiet (2012)

     Excerpt One alternative to overcome this problem is the utilization of medicinal plants, one of which is chocolate (Theobroma cacao). Shigella dysenteriae is one of the causes of gastrointestinal infections.

   • According to Sari ABT (2016)

     Excerpt The activity of an ethanolic extract from cocoa bean (Theobroma cacao) towards the non-specific immune response in mice being challenged with Staphylococcus epidermidis was studied. The number of macrophages performing phagocytosis and number of bacterial cells being recruited were counted.

   • According to Nsor-Atindana J (2012)

     Excerpt Proximate compositions of the dry matter (CBS) were investigated, while the antimicrobial activity was of CBS phenolic extracts in 80% acetone, ethanol, methanol and water performed by paper disk diffusion and micro broth dilution methods against 4 bacterial strains.

   • According to Atikah AR (2016)

     Excerpt Atikah AR et al, Antibacterial effect of 70% ethanol & water extract of cacao beans (Theobroma cacao L.), on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Dental Jl, 49(2):104-9, 2016-Background: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a Gram negative bacteria that form a subgingival plaque causing periodontitis. Result: There were significant differences in bacterial colonies grown at the concentrations of 6.25% & 3.125% between the 70% ethanol extract of cacao beans and the water extract of cacao beans as p-value = 0.000 (p<0.05).

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.