Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil

Pharm Biol. 2010 Feb;48(2):151-7. doi: 10.3109/13880200903062614.

Abstract

This study investigated some pharmacological properties of virgin coconut oil (VCO), the natural pure oil from coconut [Cocos nucifera Linn (Palmae)] milk, which was prepared without using chemical or high-heat treatment. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of VCO were assessed. In acute inflammatory models, VCO showed moderate anti-inflammatory effects on ethyl phenylpropiolate-induced ear edema in rats, and carrageenin- and arachidonic acid-induced paw edema. VCO exhibited an inhibitory effect on chronic inflammation by reducing the transudative weight, granuloma formation, and serum alkaline phosphatase activity. VCO also showed a moderate analgesic effect on the acetic acid-induced writhing response as well as an antipyretic effect in yeast-induced hyperthermia. The results obtained suggest anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties of VCO.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Antipyretics / chemistry
  • Antipyretics / therapeutic use*
  • Coconut Oil
  • Cocos / chemistry*
  • Edema / chemically induced
  • Edema / prevention & control*
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fever / drug therapy*
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Granuloma / blood
  • Granuloma / pathology
  • Granuloma / prevention & control
  • Hyperalgesia / chemically induced
  • Hyperalgesia / prevention & control*
  • Hyperthermia, Induced
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Oils / chemistry
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrogens / toxicity
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antipyretics
  • Fatty Acids
  • Plant Oils
  • Pyrogens
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Coconut Oil