Protective Effect of Cocoa Seeds Extract Application on PCNA Expression in Albino Mice Receiving DMBA Exposure

Skin cancer incidence is directly proportional to malignancies in other organs and represents a health problem. This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of topical cocoa extract application on PCNA expression in mice receiving DMBA exposure. This study was conducted in Animal Laboratory for DMBA administration and cocoa extract application, Bimolecular Laboratory of Hasanuddin University as the location of ELISA evaluation. The study used animal experimental method with pure experimental design to find out the role of topical cocoa seeds extract on the skin of mice receiving DMBA application in one week. Twenty mice were divided into 4 treatment groups: first group was control without skin protector, second group with ethanol application, third group with topical cocoa extract application 400 ppm, and fourth group was treated with 800 ppm topical cocoa with 100 ug DMBA exposure three times per week. After one week the treatment was terminated and skin biopsy was excised for PCNA expression evaluation using ELISA. Study findings indicate that 400 ppm and 800 ppm topical cocoa extract had a protective effect on PCNA expression with 400 ppm as the most effective dose.