Virgin Coconut Oil Supplementation Ameliorates Diabetes and Atrazine-Induced Inflammation in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

We assessed the ameliorative effect of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) following atrazine-induced inflammation in rats. Adult male Wistar rats weighing 180 - 200 g body weight were separated into two major experimental groups. 35 rats in the test group were divided into five groups of 7 rats: Group 1,2 and 3 received 10 ml/kg body weight of distilled water, 10 ml/kg VCO and 123 mg/kg Atrazine (ATZ) respectively, group 4 was diabetic control and group 5 was diabetic group treated with 10 ml/kg of VCO for 2 weeks, after which the animals were sacrificed, and blood collected for analysis. 35 rats for the recovery group were also divided into 5 groups of 7 rats; group 1 and 2 received 10 ml/kg body weight of distilled water and 10 ml/kg of VCO; group 3,4 and 5 received 123 mg/kg of ATZ for 2 weeks. After the first 2 weeks, group 1,2,3 continued the initial treatment while the rats in group 4 and 5 were administered 10 ml/kg of VCO and 10 ml/kg of distilled water respectively. After 2 weeks all the animals were sacrificed and blood collected for analysis. C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were significantly (p<0.05) raised in VCO control, atrazine and diabetic untreated group when compared to normal control. Following recovery, CRP and IL-6 were significantly lowered in the VCO treated group when compared to ATZ group. ATZ toxicity resulted in increase in inflammatory markers but the withdrawal of ATZ significantly reversed some of these derangements; with more pronounced effect following VCO administration.