BACKGROUND: The health benefits of coconut oil have been recognized for a long time. Among the reported benefits include the ability to reduce cholesterol, antioxidant, antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities. Some studies also indicate that coconut oil may have anti-inflammatory properties, but there has been no study to date that has demonstrated this property. In this article, we report the anti-inflammatory activity of virgin coconut oil (VCO) in rats and mice.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to address the following objectives: 1) to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of VCO in rats and mice 2) to compare the anti-inflammatory activity of VCO with aspirin and mefenamic acid.

METHODOLOGY: Rats and mice were divided into five and three treatment groups, respectively. Fifty rats were randomized to mefenamic acid, 5ml/kg VCO, 10 ml/kg VCO, 15 ml/kg VCO or 0.9 percent saline solution. Thirty mice were randomized to aspirin, VCO, or distilled water. After treatment, inflammation was induced by subcutaneous injection of carageenan in rats and albumin in mice at their hind paws. Inflammation was monitored by measuring the paw circumferences and volumes at regular time intervals.

RESULTS: In rats, a VCO dose of 5 ml/kg body weight provided a significantly greater degree of inhibition of inflammation than mefenamic acid. In mice, the anti-inflammatory activity of VCO was comparable to aspirin. (Author)