Should virgin coconut oil be used in the adjunctive treatment of COVID-19?

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Stephanie C. Tan-Lim ◽  
Corinna Victoria Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Lauric Acid ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Adjunctive Treatment ◽  
Virgin Coconut Oil ◽  
Ssrna Virus ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Pharmacologically Active

KEY FINDINGS There is currently no evidence to support the use of virgin coconut oil in the adjunctive treatment of COVID-19. • Virgin coconut oil is naturally extracted from fresh coconut kernel and is rich in medium chain triglycerides, with lauric acid as the predominant fatty acid.• Virgin coconut oil is currently explored as an adjunctive treatment for patients with COVID-19 due to its antiviral and immunomodulatory properties.• In vitro studies show that lauric acid or its derivative exert inhibitory activities against viruses with similar structure to coronavirus (enveloped ssRNA virus) such as Junin virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and Semliki Forest virus.• Animal studies demonstrate antiviral activity of monolaurin, the pharmacologically active metabolite of lauric acid, on avian influenza virus and Simean immunodeficiency virus, which are both enveloped ssRNA viruses.• Clinical trials among patients with HIV report that virgin coconut oil can increase CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and reduce viral load.• In vitro and animal studies demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties of virgin coconut oil.• At present, there are no studies that investigate the effectiveness of virgin coconut oil in the adjunctive treatment of COVID-19 infection.• There is currently one ongoing clinical trial in the Philippines evaluating the use of virgin coconut oil in the adjunctive treatment of COVID-19.• Nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, and abdominal pain have been reported, but no serious adverse events have been identified with the use of virgin coconut oil.• To date, there are no guidelines that mention virgin coconut oil as an option for the adjunctive treatment of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Preliminary study on the In-Vitro Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates to Virgin Coconut Oil

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (8) ◽  
pp. 290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Godofreda V. Dalmacion ◽  
Adelwisa R. Ortega ◽  
Imelda G. Pena ◽  
Concepcion F. Ang
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Lauric Acid ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Food Supplement ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Virgin Coconut Oil ◽  
In Vitro Susceptibility ◽  
Wide Range

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major public health threat. Studies have shown that medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), such as, those found in Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), possess activity against a wide range of microorganisms including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The goal of the study was to determine the in-vitro susceptibility of M. tuberculosis (TB) isolates to two commercial brands of VCOs each containing different amounts of lauric acid and produced by two different extraction processes. Two brands of VCO were tested for their anti-TB actions compared to pure lauric acid and a negative control. Two replicate runs were done. VCO samples were inoculated with 0.1 mL of the H37RV strain of M. tuberculosis and incubated at 370C with shaking for 5 days. After incubation, the mixtures were diluted 10-fold up to 10-4 concentration to obtain countable colonies using Middlebrook 7H10 agar plates and Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) slants. Colony growths of M. tuberculosis were examined in each dilution every week for three to eight weeks. Results: Both brands of VCO at increasing dilution from 1:10 to 1:10000 lowered the colony counts of M. tuberculosis by 46% to 100 % on the Middlebrook 7H10 agar. Similar results were noted on L-J slants with colony counts decreasing by 25% to 96%. Lauric acid solution showed complete inhibition of bacterial growth in both the agar plates and LJ slants. Conclusion: Different VCO preparations containing different amounts of lauric acid exhibited different degree of inhibition against M. tuberculosis. The result of the study suggests the potential of VCOs agent against the growth of M. tuberculosis Similar effect on other organisms is a possibility and should also be explored. But more studies are needed to replicate the studies using different concentrations of VCOs, lauric acid and other fatty acids in VCO such as myristic acid, caproic or caprylic acids.Key words: Lauric acid, virgin coconut oil, tuberculosis, food supplement

scholarly journals The Role of Coconut Oil to Increase Expression of MMP-9, PDGF-BB, and TGF-β1 in NIH-3T3 Cell Line

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (22) ◽  
pp. 3733-3736
Author(s):  
Dian Ika Perbina Meliala ◽  
Jansen Silalahi ◽  
Yuandani Yuandani ◽  
Linda Margata ◽  
Denny Satria
Keyword(s):  
Healing Process ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Wound Healing Process ◽  
3T3 Cells ◽  
Virgin Coconut Oil ◽  
Nih3t3 Cells ◽  
Nih 3T3 ◽  
Tgf Β1 ◽  
Nih 3T3 Cells

AIM: The objective of the study was to evaluate protein expression in NIH 3T3 cells that are treated with virgin coconut oil (VCO) and hydrolysed of virgin coconut oil (HVCO) in vitro. METHODS: Coconut oil used in this study was virgin coconut oil (VCO) and VCO hydrolysed by Rhizomucor miehei (HVCO). NIH 3T3 cells (5x105 cells/well) were seeded in nine wells and incubated for overnight, then divided into three groups. Each group consisted of three wells. Group one without treatment, group two added VCO, and group three added HVCO and then incubated for overnight. One well in each group was added MMP-9, PDGF-BB, and TGF-β1 and incubated one hour. Finally, expressions of MMP-9, PDGF-BB, and TGF-β1 were detected using immunocytochemistry method. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that VCO and HVCO increased protein expressions of MMP-9, PDGF-BB, and TGF-β1. Percentage of MMP-9 expressions treated by VCO increased from 2.89 ± 0.07 to 28.16 ± 0.34, PDGF-BB from 28.11 ± 0.13 to 48.53 ± 0.49, and TGF-β1 from 4.19 ± 0.08 to 18.41 ± 0.54. Percentage of MMP-9 expressions treated by HVCO increased from 2.89 ± 0.07 to 55.40 ± 0.94, PDGF-BB from 28.11 ± 0.13 to 61.65 ± 0.42, and TGF-β1 from 4.19 ± 0.08 to 36.35 ± 0.67. CONCLUSION: VCO and HVCO increase the expression of MMP-9, PDGF-BB, dan TGF-β1 in NIH3T3 cells and therefore, coconut oil active in the wound healing process. HVCO is more than active than VCO.

Virgin coconut oil complements with its polyphenol components mitigate sodium fluoride toxicity in vitro and in vivo

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Soorya Parathodi Illam ◽  
Sruthi Panniyan Kandiyil ◽  
Arunaksharan Narayanankutty ◽  
Soumya Valappan Veetil ◽  
Thekkekara Devassy Babu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Fluoride ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Fluoride Toxicity ◽  
Virgin Coconut Oil ◽  
Toxicity In Vitro

In vitro ruminal methane suppression by lauric acid as influenced by dietary calcium

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Machmüller ◽  
C. R. Soliva ◽  
M. Kreuzer
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Lauric Acid ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Fatty Acid Pattern ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Fiber Fermentation

The effect of Ca supplementation on the methane-suppressing effect of lauric acid was investigated in an experiment based on a 2 × 2-factorial arrangement using the in vitro system Rusitec. Additional Ca was supplemented at 1 g kg-1 diet in the form of compounds of relatively low solubility in rumen fluid. Lauric acid (C12:0), the predominant effective medium-chain fatty acid in coconut oil, was added at a level of 50 g kg-1. Adding C12:0 did not affect bacterial count, but eliminated ciliate protozoa from fermenters. Ammonia concentration in fermentation mixture declined and volatile fatty acid pattern changed with C12:0. The apparent degradation rate of total organic matter was not altered by C12:0, but fiber fermentation was depressed (P < 0.001). Effects of Ca on microbial counts and fermentation characteristics remained low. Without additional Ca, C12:0 reduced the average daily methane release (mmol g-1 organic matter degraded) by 76%. In comparison, C12:0 only reduced methane production by 47% when additional Ca was included in the diet (interaction of C12:0 and Ca, P < 0.05). The present results suggest that the dietary content of soap-forming Ca has to be kept low in order to achieve a high methane-suppressing effect of lauric acid. Key words: Methane, lauric acid, lipids, calcium, Rusitec, ruminants

scholarly journals In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep R. Varma ◽  
Thiyagarajan O. Sivaprakasam ◽  
Ilavarasu Arumugam ◽  
N. Dilip ◽  
M. Raghuraman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Virgin Coconut Oil ◽  
Protective Properties ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Injectable Surfactant Included-Virgin Coconut Oil with and without Ibuprofen

2012 ◽  
Vol 581-582 ◽  
pp. 108-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumuntana Anuchatkidjaroen ◽  
Thawatchai Phaechamud
Keyword(s):  
Drug Release ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Cloud Point ◽  
Pour Point ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Virgin Coconut Oil ◽  
Wax Deposition

In the tropical countries, virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been abundantly utilized as traditional medicine and cosmetic, but its major problem is temperature sensitive. This oil changes into some wax-like at cool environment. The purpose of this study is to decrease wax deposition of this oil by investigate the effect of surfactants on the physical properties and drug release characteristic. Ibuprofen (IB), which can soluble in VCO, was used as a model drug. Viscosity, pour point, cloud point and polarized light microscope examinations were conducted to characterize the change of VCO physical properties. In vitro drug release experiment was performed using dialysis method at 50 rpm and 37°C in phosphate buffer pH 7.4. The addition of surfactants in VCO increased the efficiency for measuring the viscosity at lower temperature. Result from viscosity measurement indicated that Solutol® HS15 (ST) was the most suitable for choosing as representative of the surfactants. Both pour point and cloud point could not reduce by ST because the crystals size of VCO with and without ST was not different. There was no difference of viscosity of each formula during the release experiments (37°C), therefore the release rate of drug from VCO containing or without ST was not different. These indicated that the surfactants and ibuprofen affected the physical properties but did not affect the release of this investigated VCO.

scholarly journals In vitro Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Virgin Coconut oil and White Palm Kernel Oil on Candida Species-Experimental Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hortense Gonsu Kamga ◽  
Sarah Riwom Essama ◽  
Yves Le Grand Napa Tchuedji ◽  
Maurice Boda ◽  
Stève Henri Voundi Olugu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Candida Parapsilosis ◽  
Palm Kernel ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Virgin Coconut Oil ◽  
Palm Kernel Oil ◽  
Kernel Oil ◽  
Maximum Inhibition

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate in vitro the antifungal activity of virgin coconut oil and the white palm kernel oil on the growth of six species of the genus Candida. Study Design: This study is an experimental study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Microbiology of the University of Yaoundé I. Laboratory of Bacteriology, Yaoundé University teaching Hospital between April to September 2017. Methodology: We included six species of Candida. The method of diffusion discs in agar medium was used for Sensitivity tests and macro-dilution in liquid medium was used for dilution. Results: Majority of the species tested were resistant to conventional antifungals used. Candida hoemulonii was the most sensitive species to virgin coconut oil with percentages of inhibitions higher than 50 % when the concentration of oil was only 3.125 mg/mL and a maximum inhibition percentage of 90.10 % when the concentration of oil was 100 mg/mL. Candida albicans, was the least susceptible species to virgin coconut oil with a maximum inhibition percentage of 59.85 % when the concentration of oil was 100 mg/mL.  Candida lipolytica was the most sensitive specie to white palm kernel oil with a maximum inhibition percentage of 90,26 % when the concentration of oil was 100 mg/mL and Candida parapsilosis was the least susceptible species to white palm kernel oil with a maximum inhibition percentage of 52,69 % at the same concentration. In addition, the white palm kernel oil which was more active (P˂0.05) than virgin coconut oil was introduced in the Sabouraud broth and the MIC and MFC obtained with Fluconazole was lower on Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis compared to activity of Fluconazole without palm kernel oil in the medium. Nystatin showed also lower MIC and MFC values on Candida parapsilosis when palm kernel oil was present in the culture medium. Conclusion: These results prove that these oils can be used to develop antifungals drugs.

scholarly journals Genes Involved in Lipid Metabolism in Coconut

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Xia
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Lauric Acid ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Evolutionary Relationship ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Coconut Palm ◽  
Acyl Donor ◽  
Fatty Acid Accumulation

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L) is an economically important monocot plant grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Coconut oil is stored in a solid endosperm and has 47.48–50.5% fatty acid component as lauric acid (C12:0). Present research showed that acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterases (FatA/B) and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LAAPT) are key enzymes determining medium-chain fatty acid accumulation in coconut oil. Among five CnFatB genes, CnFatB3 expressed specifically in endosperm and in vitro experiment showed that this gene made mainly lauric acid (C12:0) and tetradecenoic acid (C14:1). Overexpression of CnFatB3 in Arabidopsis increased the amounts of C12:0 and C14:0 in transgenic plant. CnLPAAT gene that is expressed specifically in coconut endosperm showed a preference for using acyl-CoAs containing C10:0, C12:0, and C14:0 acyl groups as acyl-donor substrates. Coconut and oil palm are closely related species with approximately 50% lauric acid (C12:0) in their endosperm. The two species have a close evolutionary relationship between predominant gene isoforms and high conservation of gene expression bias in the lipid metabolism pathways. Moreover, since no stable transformation system has been constructed in coconut palm, gene function validations have been done in vitro, or genes transformed into a heterologous system.

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