Virgin Coconut Oil Supplementation Research Articles

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

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.

Virgin coconut oil reverses behavioral phenotypes of letrozole-model of PCOS in Wistar rats via modulation of NRF2 upregulation

ObjectivesPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and sub-infertility. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been reported to have health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and antiviral properties. This study investigated the effects of dietary VCO supplementation on memory and cognitive impairment in female rats with letrozole induced PCOS. MethodsThirty female rats were randomly divided into five groups. All rats except controls were treated with letrozole for 21 days to induce PCOS and were subsequently treated for 14 days with 10% VCO, clomiphene (CLO), or VCO + CLO. Three neurobehavioral tests were conducted: elevated plus maze, Y maze, and novel object recognition tests. ResultsOur results indicated statistically elevated serum concentrations of sex hormones in rats with PCOS, compared with the control and treated groups. In addition, all treated groups showed significant reversal of the low serum concentrations of catalase and down-regulated gene expression of Nrf2 in the hippocampus seen in the PCOS rats. In addition, gene expression of acetylcholine esterase was up-regulated in PCOS rats, and was statistically reverted in the VCO treated groups. ConclusionAnxiety-like behavior and impaired short-term memory were observed in PCOS rats; however, VCO supplementation reversed these effects by modulating the gene expression of Nrf2 and AchE.

Effect of virgin coconut oil on body weight, white fat depots, and biochemical and morphological parameters in mice fed standard or high-fat diets.

This study investigated the effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on body weight, white fat depots, and biochemical and morphological parameters in male Swiss mice fed standard (SD) or high-fat (HFD) diets. Thirty-three adult animals were assigned to one of four groups, as follows: SD, SD plus VCO (SDCO), HFD, and HFD plus VCO (HFDCO). VCO had no effects on the Lee index, subcutaneous fat, periepididymal fat, retroperitoneal fat, area under the curve for glucose, or pancreas weight, all of which were increased by HFD. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the SDCO group compared with the SD group and decreased in the HFDCO group compared with the HFD group. VCO increased total cholesterol only in the SDCO group compared with the SD group, with no differences between the HFD and HFDCO groups. In conclusion, low-dose VCO supplementation did not improve obesity, had no effects on hepatic or renal function, and had beneficial effects on the lipid profile only in animals fed HFD.

Protective Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil on Osteopenia Induced by High Refined Carbohydrate-Containing Diet in Mice.

Background: Obesity leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, promoting detrimental effects on bone. The consumption of virgin coconut oil (VCO) is associated with benefits related to meta-inflammation. We evaluated the effect of VCO supplementation on osteopenia promoted by diet-induced obesity in mice. Methods: Male BALB/c mice were fed a control (C) or highly refined carbohydrate-containing (HC) diet for eight weeks. After that, the HC diet group was supplemented with three doses of VCO for four weeks. Results: The HC diet increased the adiposity and leptin levels associated with augmented systemic inflammatory cells improved with VCO supplementation. The HC diet reduced the trabecular bone in the tibia, lumbar vertebrae, distal and proximal femur, as well as the bone mineral density of the femur and alveolar bone. The VCO supplementation reverted bone osteopenia by increasing the trabecular bone in different sites and improving femur and alveolar bone microarchitecture. Although the reduced number of osteoblasts in the alveolar bone of the HC diet group was not significantly enhanced by VCO supplementation, the reduced Alp expression in the HC diet group was enhanced in the VCO group. These beneficial effects were associated with lowering the Rankl/Opg ratio. Conclusion: VCO supplementation might be an effective strategy to attenuate bone osteopenic effects induced by obesity.

PHOTOCHEMICAL TEST AND REPELLENT VIRGIN COCONUT OIL (VCO) TEST WITH SUPLEMENTATION OF Citronella Oil

Background: Repellents are chemicals or non-chemicals that can prevent insect activity from approaching humans. The development of repellent products needs to be done so as not to cause skin irritation and provide skin health. The purpose of this study was to carry out phytochemical and repellent tests to determine the active content and effectiveness of virgin coconut oil (VCO) supplementation with Citronella oil (CO) repellent essential oil against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Method: The research method used was true experiment with Posttest Only Control Group Design with experimental group namely VCO, VCO supplementation with 10% and 20% CO. Results: VCO supplementation with CO contained flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, and saponins. VCO has a repellant power of 68.47%, supplementation with a combination of VCO with CO 10% is 97.55% and a concentration of 20% is 100%. Conclusion: VCO and CO supplementation of 10% and 20% were effective as repellants against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These two concentrations did not have a significant difference, so the 10% concentration could be used as the basis for further research. The presence of active ingredients in VCO supplementation with CO provides potential as a repellant and skin health care.. Suggestion: Organoleptic testing on this supplementation repellent product needs to be done so that it can be used by the community..

Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil Supplementation on Anthropometrical Parameters and Dietary Intake of Autistic Children

Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil Supplementation on Anthropometrical Parameters and Dietary Intake of Autistic Children

Beneficial Role of Virgin Coconut Oil Supplementation against Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autistic Children

Beneficial Role of Virgin Coconut Oil Supplementation against Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autistic Children

Effect of aerobic exercise and supplementation virgin coconut oil on lipid profile

Dyslipidemia and sedentary lifestyle are risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease. The research objective was to determine the effect of aerobic exercise and virgin coconut oil supplementation on the lipid profile of obese women. The research subjects were 20 women with obesity, divided into two groups, namely the experimental group (doing aerobic exercise and VCO supplementation) and the control group (only doing aerobic exercise) with the 43.55±2.21 age, 154.75±0.05 height, 75.75±1.44 weight and 31.69±1.63 BMI. The experimental group did aerobic exercise and VCO supplementation for 8 weeks, while the control group did aerobic exercise without VCO supplementation. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured before and after aerobic exercise. Using the t test, statistical analysis was conducted and the significance level of the test was considered to be p<0.05. The results showed that the combination of aerobic exercise with VCO supplementation resulted in a more significant reduction in triglyceride levels and cholesterol compared to aerobic exercise (p = 0.001). The conclusion is that the combination of aerobic exercise with VCO supplementation can reduce triglyceride levels and total cholesterol, thus preventing cardiovascular disease.

Virgin Coconut Oil Improved Discriminative Learning and Working Memory in Aging Cycling and Non-Cycling Female Sprague-Dawley Rats Supporting Its Beneficial Effect in Retarding Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Aim: Beneficial effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) consumption to improve cognition in menopausal females remain inconclusive. This study examined the effect of VCO supplementation in aging cycling and non-cycling rodents to assess its impact on cognition. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (10 - 18 months) were randomly assigned to a supplemented VCO group (SVCO) that received oral doses of 1.42 mL/kg/day VCO (n = 10) and a non-supplemented (NVCO) group (n = 10). Their performance in a biased Y-maze discriminative learning paradigm was assessed over a 16-week period. Rats were initially allowed 3 minutes to explore the maze (habituated) and subsequently pre-trained in the non-preferred, white chamber to associate the presentation of a tone with a treat (reward). Training involved 4 daily trials initially for 3 weeks during which rats were rewarded if they entered the white arm within 15 sec after tone presentation. Time (days) to attain at least 75% correct responses (CR) determined acquisition latency (AL). Memory retention (MR1) of the learned task was assessed following a 1-week break from training and absence of supplementation (session T1). Following an additional 2-week break, supplementation of SVCO animals resumed and continued to week 16. In week 14, all animals received re-training for 1 week (session T2) followed by another 1-week break and subsequent assessment of memory (MR2). Vaginal smear cytology determinations were performed throughout the study to identify cycling and non-cycling rats. Student’s t-test and ANOVA with Brown-Forsythe and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were used to compare means. Results: C-SVCO rats attained lower AL, and higher CR and MR scores vs their NVCO counterparts (p Conclusion: VCO supplementation attenuated cognitive decline with a more positive impact on non-cycling rodents suggesting a beneficial effect on brain health in females in menopausal transition.

Coconut oil supplementation during development reduces brain excitability in adult rats nourished and overnourished in lactation.

Coconut oil has been considered as a therapeutic alternative in several pathologies, but there is limited information regarding its effects on brain functioning. This study analyzed whether early virgin coconut oil (VCO) supplementation interferes with electrical activity of the adult rat brain and its lipid peroxidation. Moreover, it investigated whether the putative effect on brain electrophysiology could be affected by overnutrition occurring during lactation, and/or by environmental enrichment (EE). Electrophysiology was measured through cortical spreading depression (CSD), a phenomenon related to brain excitability. Wistar rats were suckled in litters of either nine or three pups, forming nourished (N) or overnourished (ON) groups, respectively. Between the 7th and 30th days of life, half of the animals in each group received VCO (10 mg kg-1 d-1; by gavage). The other half received an equivalent amount of vehicle (V, 0.009% cremophor). On day 36, animals from both groups were subjected to EE for 4 weeks. At 105 ± 15 days of life, each animal was subjected to CSD recordings and lipid peroxidation analyses. Overnutrition during lactation enhanced body and brain weights. VCO decelerated the CSD propagation velocity (control - 3.57 ± 0.23 mm min-1versus VCO - 3.27 ± 0.18 mm min-1; p < 0.001), regardless of whether subjected to overnourishment or EE exposure. Neither VCO nor EE modified the cerebral lipid peroxidation (p > 0.05). VCO supplementation impaired the spreading of CSD, indicating reduction of brain excitability. VCO effects occurred regardless of the nutritional state during lactation.

Virgin Coconut Oil Associated with High-Fat Diet Induces Metabolic Dysfunctions, Adipose Inflammation, and Hepatic Lipid Accumulation.

Obesity reaches an epidemic level worldwide, and this condition is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and secondary comorbidities, largely driven by global changes in lifestyle and diet. Various dietary approaches are proposed for the obesity treatment and its associated metabolic disorders. Good taste, antioxidant functions, and vitamins have been attributed to virgin coconut oil (VCO). However, VCO contains a large amount of saturated fatty acids, and the consumption of this fat is associated with a number of secondary diseases. We evaluate the effects of VCO supplementation on biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters in rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD). After feeding with HFD for 12 weeks, the animals were supplemented with VCO for 30 days. HFD+VCO group increased in diet intake, weight gain, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. These findings were accompanied by increased in hepatic lipid profile and fat deposition in the liver. Adipocyte hypertrophy was observed in the HFD+VCO group, which was associated with elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in adipose tissue. These results revealed that VCO associated with HFD induced important metabolic alterations, adipose inflammation, and hepatic lipid accumulation in rats.

Virgin Coconut Oil Supplementation Prevents Airway Hyperreactivity of Guinea Pigs with Chronic Allergic Lung Inflammation by Antioxidant Mechanism.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by immune cell infiltrates, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and declining lung function. Thus, the possible effects of virgin coconut oil on a chronic allergic lung inflammation model were evaluated. Morphology of lung and airway tissue exhibited peribronchial inflammatory infiltrate, epithelial hyperplasia, and smooth muscle thickening in guinea pigs submitted to ovalbumin sensitization, which were prevented by virgin coconut oil supplementation. Additionally, in animals with lung inflammation, trachea contracted in response to ovalbumin administration, showed a greater contractile response to carbachol (CCh) and histamine, and these responses were prevented by the virgin coconut oil supplementation. Apocynin, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor, did not reduce the potency of CCh, whereas tempol, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, reduced potency only in nonsensitized animals. Catalase reduced the CCh potency in nonsensitized animals and animals sensitized and treated with coconut oil, indicating the participation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in the hypercontractility, which was prevented by virgin coconut oil. In the presence of L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, the CCh curve remained unchanged in nonsensitized animals but had increased efficacy and potency in sensitized animals, indicating an inhibition of endothelial NOS but ineffective in inhibiting inducible NOS. In animals sensitized and treated with coconut oil, the CCh curve was not altered, indicating a reduction in the release of NO by inducible NOS. These data were confirmed by peribronchiolar expression analysis of iNOS. The antioxidant capacity was reduced in the lungs of animals with chronic allergic lung inflammation, which was reversed by the coconut oil, and confirmed by analysis of peribronchiolar 8-iso-PGF2α content. Therefore, the virgin coconut oil supplementation reverses peribronchial inflammatory infiltrate, epithelial hyperplasia, smooth muscle thickening, and hypercontractility through oxidative stress and its interactions with the NO pathway.

Distinct effects of virgin coconut oil supplementation on the glucose and lipid homeostasis in non-diabetic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract Non-diabetic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats were fed with standard laboratory food enriched with 20% virgin coconut oil for 16 weeks. In non-diabetic animals coconut oil improved insulin sensitivity and ability to control glycaemia and decreased the serum triglycerides for almost 50% in comparison with controls. Supplementation with coconut oil caused liver steatosis in both non-diabetic and diabetic animals. However, the severity of steatosis was lower in diabetic animals compared to non-diabetic animals. Coconut oil had no effects on heart histology, ascending and abdominal aorta wall thickening and atherosclerotic plaques development neither in non-diabetic nor in diabetic animals. While alloxan treatment caused Type I diabetes in rats, supplementation with coconut oil in combination with the alloxan unexpectedly resulted in Type II diabetes. The development of severe insulin resistance and deterioration in serum lipid profile implied that the use of coconut oil is contraindicated in diabetic condition.

Virgin coconut oil supplementation in diet modulates immunity mediated through survival signaling pathways in rats.

Background Virgin coconut oil (VCO), a cold processed form of coconut oil, is traditionally consumed in Asian countries owing to its nutritional and medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the health benefits of VCO involve alterations in immune responses that are regulated by intracellular signaling molecules in the spleens of rats. Methods Young male Wistar rats were fed with three doses of VCO in diet for 30 days. At the end of the treatment period, spleens were isolated and in vitro effects on immune responses (Concanavalin A [Con A]-induced lymphoproliferation and cytokine production), and direct effects of VCO treatment on intracellular signaling molecules and antioxidant status were examined. Serum was collected to measure glucose, lipid levels, and leptin. Results VCO supplementation in diet enhanced Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation and Th1 cytokine production while it suppressed the proinflammatory cytokine production. VCO increased the expression of mechanistic target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), sirtuin1 (SIRT1), liver kinase B1 (p-LKB1) p-ERK, and p-CREB in spleen. Similarly, VCO increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes while it suppressed lipid peroxidation in the spleen. VCO diet had hypolipidemic effects on the rats: an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels while lowering triacylglycerol (TAG) levels. Conclusion The health benefits of VCO may be mediated through enhanced Th1 immunity through the upregulation of survival signaling pathways and inhibition of free radical generation in the spleen besides its capacity to induce hypolipidemia.

Effects of virgin coconut oil on the physicochemical, morphological and antibacterial properties of potato starch‐based biodegradable films

SummaryThis study investigated the effects of adding different concentrations of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on the optical, mechanical, thermodynamic and antimicrobial properties, as well as water vapour permeability and morphology of potato starch‐based biodegradable films. Increasing VCO concentrations caused a rise in the light transmittance of the films from 2.13 to 4.79 mm−1 and a decrease in water vapour transmittance from 6.77 to 2.12 (10−5 GPa−1 h−1 m−1). At a VCO concentration of 14 wt% (based on potato starch), the tensile strength reached its highest value (19.98 MPa). Scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface of the film became smoother as VCO concentration increased. The addition of VCO inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, VCO supplementation improved the mechanical, antibacterial and water barrier properties of starch‐based films. These results could expand the scope of the application of starch‐based films in food packaging.

Short-term supplement of virgin coconut oil improves endothelial-dependent dilation but not exercise-mediated hyperemia in young adults

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is high in antioxidants, which reduce reactive oxygen species–induced conversion of vascular endothelial-derived nitric oxide (NO) to toxic peroxynitrite. As such, flow-mediated dilation (FMD, a surrogate marker of NO bioavailability) and exercise-mediated hyperemia may be enhanced following VCO treatment. Animal research supports these findings, but direct assessments of FMD after short-term VCO use in humans are unknown. We tested the hypotheses that a 4-week VCO supplement (30 mL·d−1) would improve popliteal artery (PA) FMD and the hyperemic response to aerobic exercise. Thirty-four young adults were divided into VCO (n = 19, 9 women, 22 ± 2 years, 24 ± 3 kg·m−2) and control (CON: n = 15, 7 women, 24 ± 2 years, 24 ± 3 kg·m−2) groups. PA-FMD and blood flow were assessed via high-resolution duplex ultrasonography (Vivid i, GE Healthcare, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada). PA blood flow was measured at rest and for 5 minutes following a 10-minute bout of moderate-intensity (60% heart rate reserve) cycling exercise. Total PA blood volume was calculated as the integral of the 5-minute postexercise PA blood flow response. After 4 weeks, PA-FMD increased (P = .04) following VCO supplementation (4.9% ± 0.9% to 5.5% ± 1.2%) with no change (P > .9) in the CON group (5.7% ± 2.1% to 5.8% ± 1.9%). There were no differences (both P > .28) in the postexercise total PA blood volume response in either group (VCO: 495 ± 355 to 598 ± 384 mL; CON: 562 ± 362 to 488 ± 229 mL). Short-term VCO supplementation does not alter aerobic exercise–mediated blood flow responses in young adults. However, the augmented popliteal FMD response observed in the VCO supplement group indicates that short-term VCO supplementation improves vascular endothelial function in young, healthy adults.

Moringa oleifera seed oil or virgin coconut oil supplementation abrogates cerebral neurotoxicity induced by antineoplastic agent methotrexate by suppression of oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation in rats.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective antineoplastic drug associated with wide organ toxicity. Accumulating evidence implicates oxidative stress to be a leading underlying mechanism of MTX-induced neurotoxicity. The study explores antioxidant potential of virgin coconut oil (VCO) or Moringa oleifera seed oil (MOO) in MTX-induced oxidative stress-mediated cerebral neurotoxicity and inflammation in rats. Rats treated with VCO or MOO (5ml/kg bw) for 17days were administered MTX (20mg/kg, intraperitoneally) on day 14 only. Cerebral activities of acetylcholinesterase, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and nitric oxide levels as well as cytokines were evaluated. MTX-induced neurotoxic alterations were significantly abrogated by MOO and VCO supplementation via inhibition of cholinesterase, oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. VCO and MOO showed comparable antioxidant potentials with the standards in DPPH and FRAP assays. VCO and MOO are promising natural oils for modulating MTX neurotoxicity in cancer patients. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Methotrexate chemotherapy induces neurotoxicity in cancer patients, and this is a source of worry for clinicians. This study reports, for the first time, the beneficial health effects of functional food oils, Moringa oleifera seed oil, and virgin coconut oil against anticancer drug methotrexate-induced cerebral neurotoxicity. Supplementation of these natural oils may be beneficial in the prevention of cerebral neurotoxic side effect in cancer patients undergoing methotrexate chemotherapy.

Virgin coconut oil is effective to treat metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction induced by high refined carbohydrate-containing diet in mice

The global rise in obesity rates is alarming since this condition is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and secondary comorbidities as glucose intolerance, cardiovascular disease and liver damage. Therefore, a lot of dietary approaches are proposed to prevent and to treat obesity and its associated disorders. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is well known as a functional food due to its significant amounts of medium-chain triglycerides. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of VCO on adiposity, metabolic and inflammatory dysfunctions induced by a high-refined carbohydrate-containing (HC) diet in mice. Male BALB/c mice were divided into two groups and fed with control (C) or HC diet to induce obesity for eight weeks. At the 9th week mice fed with HC diet were randomly regrouped into four groups, and were kept this way until the 12th week, as following: (i) HC diet alone or HC diet supplemented with three different VCO doses (ii) 1000 mg/kg, (iii) 3000 mg/kg and (iv) 9000 mg/kg. Regardless of the concentration used, VCO supplementation promoted lower adiposity and also improvement in glucose tolerance, lower serum glucose and lipid levels and decreased hepatic steatosis. Moreover, VCO intake induced a lower inflammatory response due to decreased number of leukocytes and TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations in adipose tissue, as well as reduced counts of total leukocytes, mononuclear and polymorphonuclear circulating cells. Our data showed that VCO can be considered as an interesting potential dietary approach to attenuate obesity and its metabolic and inflammatory alterations.

SUPPLEMENTATION WITH VIRGIN COCONUT OIL: CAN IT REALLY REDUCE COGNITIVE DECLINE?

The sudden decrease in bioavailable estrogen in menopause puts ageing females at increased risk of cognitive decline. Consumption of virgin coconut oil (VCO) which has been “classified as a highly nutritious functional food” has gained popularity recently due to claims of beneficial effects in people with cognitive impairment. This study was designed to compare the effect of VCO supplementation on learning and memory between mature, cycling and aged, non-cycling rats. Twelve 15-month old and twelve 22-month old female Sprague-Dawley rats completed the study. Vaginal smear cytology determined estrous cycle staging to identify cycling and non-cycling rats. A modified discriminative learning paradigm utilizing a Y-maze was adopted. Number of entries and time spent determined arm preference during a 3-minute maze exploration. Rats that exhibited preference (>75%) for the black arm of the maze were selected. Each age cohort was randomly assigned to either a VCO-treated or non-VCO (control) group (n=6). Treated rats were administered a daily oral dose of 1.42 ml/kg of cold pressed VCO. In pre-training, rats were confined to the non-preferred, white arm of the maze and learnt to associate the presentation of a tone with reward. Rats were then allowed 4 trials daily over 3 weeks and rewarded only if they entered the non-preferred arm within 15 seconds after presentation of a tone (i.e. correct response). Time to attain at least 75% correct responses (acquisition latency) was used to assess learning. Memory retention of the learnt task was assessed in all groups following a 2-week break. Data were analyzed using Students’ T-test and ANOVA. Cycling rats had lower acquisition latencies and significantly higher correct response rates than non-cycling rats (p=0.04). Cycling VCO-treated rats exhibited a significant enhancement of learning (p=0.04) compared with non-supplemented controls. VCO supplementation showed no improvement in memory retention across all groups, however VCO treated cycling rats had higher response rates than their non-cycling counterparts. VCO supplementation produced a small positive effect on cognition overall, but appears to be more effective when supplemented during the cycling period when estrogen levels are normal and provides better neuroprotection.

Beneficial role of virgin coconut oil supplementation against acute methotrexate chemotherapy-induced oxidative toxicity and inflammation in rats

BackgroundMethotrexate (MTX) is a commonly used antineoplastic and anti-rheumatoid agent whose efficacy is limited by marked organ toxicities associated with oxidative stress. The study investigated beneficial effect of virgin coconut oil (VCO) supplementation on MTX-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rats. MethodsRats were divided into 4 groups (n=6): Control, MTX (20mg/kg bw), VCO (5%)+MTX and VCO (15%)+MTX. The pre-treatment with VCO for 14 days was followed by single intraperitoneal injection of MTX and the rats were sacrificed after 3 days. Serum activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were also evaluated. ResultsMTX induced a distinct diminution in serum activities of oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH), while lipid peroxidation considerably increased demonstrated by MDA level. Similarly, levels of IL-6, CRP and NO increased prominently in MTX control rats. The VCO supplementation markedly enhanced resistance to the MTX-induced biochemical alterations in rats. ConclusionVCO can be a useful adjuvant natural product in MTX chemotherapy by reducing oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses.