The Effect of Fresh Coconut Oil on Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiome, Heamatological /Biochemical indices of Wistar Rats

Abstract

Coconut oil has been claimed to have some beneficial health effects on the heamatological and biochemical indices, which is adjudged to the presence of medium-chain triglycerides. It was thus, intriguing to investigate its benefits in alleviating the prothrombotic tendency. This study was to investigate the effect of fresh coconut oil on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota and hematological and biochemical indices of Wistar rats. Ten adult Wistar rats of comparable age weighing 94 -125g were used for the study (n-5). The animals were divided into two groups, Group one served as the control, and Group two was the test group which was given 0.5 ml/kg of coconut oil. Colony count was done on both the fecal and GIT content while the biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated via whole blood samples following standard procedures. This study showed a decrease in hemoglobin, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, granulocyte, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, and mean platelet volume when compared to the Control Group. Coconut oil (0.5ml/kg body weight) had higher haematinic potency without posing a threat to the hepatocytes. There was no significant change in Na+, K+, Cl-, Cr, and HCO3 and a significant decrease in CHO, HDL, and LDL when compared to the control. However, the K+ concentration in the test Wistar rats showed a significant increase. The study shows that coconut oil has a vasodilator action on the aorta and the lipid profile was not affected. Hence, coconut oil could serve as an alternative haematinic agent.