title: Anti-influenza virus effects of cocoa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cocoa contains biologically active ingredients that have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which includes an inhibitory effect on influenza virus infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A cocoa extract (CE) was prepared by treating defatted cocoa powder with boiling water. The extract demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of infection in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells infected with human influenza virus A (H1N1, H3N2), human influenza virus B and avian influenza viruses (H5N1, H5N9). CE inhibited viral adsorption to MDCK cells. Animal experiments showed that CE significantly improved survival in mice after intra-nasal administration of a lethal dose of influenza virus. In human intervention trials, participants were allocated to two groups, one in which the participants ingested cocoa for 3 weeks before and after vaccination against A(H1N1)pdm2009 influenza virus and another in which the participants did not ingest cocoa. Neutralizing antibody titers against A(H1N1)pdm2009 influenza virus increased significantly in both groups; however, the extent of the increase was not significantly different between the two groups. Although natural killer cell activity was also elevated in both groups, the increase was more substantial in the cocoa intake group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Drinking cocoa activates natural immunity and enhances vaccination-induced immune response, providing stronger protection against influenza virus infection and disease onset.
authors.affiliation: Morinaga & Co., Ltd, 2-1-1 Shimosueyoshi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamei
authors.affiliation: Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health, 1-3-69 Nakamichi Higashinari-ku, Osaka, 537-0025, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.affiliation: Morinaga & Co., Ltd, 2-1-1 Shimosueyoshi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Morinaga & Co., Ltd, 2-1-1 Shimosueyoshi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-8504, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, 1981 Kamoda, Kawagoe, Saitama, 350-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inokuchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, 1981 Kamoda, Kawagoe, Saitama, 350-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mato
authors.affiliation: Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health, 1-3-69 Nakamichi Higashinari-ku, Osaka, 537-0025, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001717:Birds; D002099:Cacao; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: NK cell activity; cocoa; immunostimulation; influenza virus