Possible prophylactic anti-excitotoxic and anti-oxidant effects of virgin coconut oil on aluminium chloride-induced Alzheimer's in rat models.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects an estimated 5.4 million people worldwide. However, there remains no curative treatment for the condition. Aβ and hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation are the main hallmarks of the disease; they interfere with glutamate uptake and mediate glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation and neurodegeneration. As virgin coconut oil (VCO) is well-known as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory natural compound, the purpose of the present study was to assess the possible prophylactic effect of VCO on aluminium chloride (AlCl3)- induced AD in rat. Alzheimer was induced by intraperitoneal injections of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) for 45 days (40 ml/kg per day), and our results showed that oral administration of VCO (5 ml per day for 30 days) prior to the administration of AlCl3 significantly reduced the glutamate level in both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex compared to an VCO non-administrated AD group. Moreover, VCO significantly increased the glutathione (GSH) level in both the hippocampus and cortex and significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in only the cortex of the AlCl3-induced AD rat model compared to an AlCl3-induced AD rat model with no VCO. Our findings therefore show that VCO preserved the ultrastructural morphology of the hippocampus and cortex of the AlCl3-induced AD rat model, potentially providing protection against the neurodegeneration in AD of both cortical and hippocampal neurons. In conclusion, VCO has a potential prophylactic effect for memory enhancement, anti-excitotoxicity and antioxidants in AD model. AD is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, and it has no particular effective cure. The AD incidence rate increases with age and causes neurodegeneration and memory impairment. As virgin coconut oil (VCO) is well-known as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory natural compound, this study focused on investigating the possible prophylactic effect of VCO on AD.