In vivo studies on the ameliorative effect of coconut water against carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in rats

Abstract

Purpose Coconut water is used in folklore medicine for oral rehydration, treatment of childhood diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and cholera, and is also known to possess antioxidant properties. Objective In this study, we examined the ameliorative potentials of coconut water on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced toxicity in rats. Materials and methods Rats were randomly assigned into separate cages according to the sex of 5 groups. Groups 2–5 were intraperitoneally injected a single dose of 1 mL/kg CCl4 diluted in olive oil. Only 3, 4 and 5 were orally given 2, 4, 6 mL/kg coconut water respectively, whereas groups 1 and 2 received distilled water. Results Treatment with coconut water significantly (p < 0.05) increased red blood cell, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, high-density lipoprotein, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, total protein, and albumin compared to the negative control in both sexes of the rats. Furthermore, platelets, white blood cells, urea, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, malondialdehyde, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate transaminases decreased significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the negative control in both male and female rats. Conclusion Thus, coconut water supplementation may reverse CCl4 induced toxicity and distortions on haematological parameters, lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes, liver and kidney biomarkers in rats.