ArticleCurrent issues in molecular biology2022
Immunostimulatory Activities of Theobromine on Macrophages via the Activation of MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathways.
Article in Current issues in molecular biology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- Cardiovascular Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Cacao: A Comprehensive Review.Reviews in cardiovascular medicine · 2026Review
- The Therapeutic Potential of Theobromine in Obesity: A Comprehensive Review.Nutrition reviews · 2025Review
- Association of dietary intake of theobromine with periodontitis: NHANES 2009-2014.BMC oral health · 2025Article
- Exploring the Therapeutic Potential ofAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- Immunostimulatory Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Cell-Free Supernatants through the Activation of NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways in RAW 264.7 Cells.Microorganisms · 2022Article
- Biological Mechanisms and Related Natural Inhibitors of CD36 in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver.Drug design, development and therapy · 2022Review
- The effect of cacao bean extracts on the prevention of periodontal tissue breakdown in diabetic rats with orthodontic tooth movements.Journal of oral biology and craniofacial researchArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
Theobromine is mainly found in plant foods, such as tea; the primary source of theobromine is the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. Theobromine is an alkaloid belonging to the methylxanthine class of drugs, and it is similar to theophylline and caffeine. Theobromine is known for its efficacy and role in health and disorder prevention. We evaluated the effects of theobromine on macrophage function, including the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Theobromine significantly stimulated the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 through immune responses, which relate to the increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Additionally, theobromine increased the production of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in macrophages. Additionally, theobromine induced the translocation and activity of NF-κB in a concentration-dependent manner. Consistent with these results, the phosphorylation level of MAPKs was increased in theobromine-stimulated macrophages. Collectively, these data revealed that theobromine acts as an immune response stimulator via the NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways. Thus, theobromine might have protective effects against inflammatory disorders.
Indexed as
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.