The antioxidant effect of virgin coconut oil on lipid peroxidation.

Dr. Florentino B. Herrera, Jr. Medical Library
Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine. 2005 Jul-Aug 43(4):199-204.

Santos, RR; Laygo, RC; Payawal, DA; Tiu, EGG; Sampang, ALS; Urian, JPC.
The Antioxidant Study Group

Abstract
Some clinical observations have shown that coconut oil may provide a wide range of health benefits, including antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In this study, possible antioxidant property of virgin coconut oil was investigated.

The objectives of this study is to determine and compare the antioxidant property of virgin coconut oil with that of vitamin E, specific objectives were, A) To stimulate or increase lipid peroxidant by treating specific groups of albino rats with L-thyroxine. B) To determine the malondialdehyde concentratin in the soleus muscles of albino rats using Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) Assay Kit. C) To compare the antioxidant effects of virgin coconut oil and vitamin E on malondialhyde levels in soleus muscles.

Forty male albino rats of similar age (8 weeks old) were divided into four groups and were treated for eight weeks. The control rats (group 1) were given2 ml alkalinized saline (pH 9 – 9.5) thrice weekly through oral feeding and supplied with ground rat chow for nourishment. The L-thyroxine treated rats (group 2) were given 50 mg/kg L-thyroxine dissolved in alkalinized saline thrice weekly through oral feeding and supplied with ground rat chow. L-thyroxine dosage was given in increasing increments of 10 mg/kg per week. The L-thyroxine treated + virgin coconut oil (VCO) rats (group 3) and the L-thyroxine treated + vitamin E rats (group 4), were treated the same way as group 2 but, in addition, received 20% w/w of virgin coconut oil and 20% w/w of vitamin E (d-apha-tocopherol), respectively, both mixed with ground rat chow. After the 8-week period, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The soleus muscle was excised, homogenized analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) levels using the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) Assay Kit. Statistical significance was by unpaired t-test after a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done.

The MDA level in the soleus muscles of the L-thyroxine treated group was significantly increased compared to the control group. The MDA level in the soleus muscle of the treated-vitamin E group and the treated-VCO group was significantly lower than that of the L-thyroxine treated group. Also, there was no significant difference in the MDA level in the soleus muscles of the treated-VCO group and the treated-vitamin E group. In conclusion, virgin coconut oil has antioxidant property which is comparable to that of vitamin E. (Auth)

Language: English

Subject: lipid peroxidation—antioxidants—coconut—oils