Virgin Coconut Oil-Induced Neuroprotection in Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged Rats is Mediated, in Part, Through Cholinergic, Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways.

Abstract

Neuroinflammation is associated with neuronal cell death and could lead to chronic neurodegeneration. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential of virgin coconut oil (VCO) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytotoxicity of neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. The findings were validated using Wistar rats, which were fed with 1-10 g/kg VCO for 31 days, exposed to LPS (0.25 mg/kg) and subjected to the Morris Water Maze Test. Brain homogenate was subjected to biochemical analyses and gene expression studies. α-Tocopherol (α-T; 150 mg/kg) served as the positive control. VCO (100 µg/mL) significantly (p < 0.01) improved SK-N-SH viability (+57%) and inhibited reactive oxygen species (-31%) in the presence of LPS. VCO (especially 10 g/kg) also significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced spatial memory of LPS-challenged rats. Brain homogenate of VCO-fed rats was presented with increased acetylcholine (+33%) and reduced acetylcholinesterase (-43%). The upregulated antioxidants may have reduced neuroinflammation [malondialdehyde (-51%), nitric oxide (-49%), Cox-2 (-64%) and iNos (-63%)] through upregulation of IL-10 (+30%) and downregulation of IL-1β (-65%) and Interferon-γ (-25%). There was also reduced expression of Bace-1 (-77%). VCO-induced neuroprotection, which was comparable to α-T, could be mediated, in part, through inflammatory, cholinergic and amyloidogenic pathways.

• Authors: Nur Syafiqah Rahim, Siong Meng Lim, Vasudevan Mani, Nurul Aqmar Mohamad Nor Hazalin, Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed, Kalavathy Ramasamy
• Journal: Journal of dietary supplements (J Diet Suppl) Vol. 18 Issue 6 Pg. 655-681 ( 2021) ISSN: 1939-022X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33962540 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Cholinergic Agents
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Acetylcholinesterase
• Coconut Oil

Topics

• Acetylcholinesterase
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Cholinergic Agents (pharmacology)
• Coconut Oil
• Lipopolysaccharides (pharmacology)
• Neuroprotection
• Oxidative Stress
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar