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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.
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The authors report no conflict of interest.
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Notes on contributors
Nur Syafiqah Rahim
Nur Syafiqah Rahim, MSc, is a Lecturer at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Arau Campus, Perlis Branch, Malaysia. She is also a member of the Collaborative Drug Discovery Research Group. Ms Rahim’s research areas include neuroscience, natural products and antioxidants.
Siong Meng Lim
Siong Meng Lim, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology and Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor Branch, Malaysia. He also co-leads the Collaborative Drug Discovery Research Group. Associate Professor Dr Lim’s research areas include functional food (probiotics and their beneficial effects), drug discovery (anticancer and neuroprotective agents and, nutraceuticals), identification of therapeutic targets (cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease) and tumour angiogenesis
Vasudevan Mani
Vasudevan Mani, PhD, is Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Associate Professor Dr Mani’s research areas include memory, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive neuroscience, learning and memory and cognition disorders,
Nurul Aqmar Mohamad Nor Hazalin
Nurul Aqmar Mohamad Nor Hazalin, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor Branch, Malaysia. She is also a member of the Collaborative Drug Discovery Research Group. Dr Mohamad Nor Hazalin’s research areas include neuroprotective agents and underlying mechanisms, behavioural neuroscience and neuroplasticity as well as anticancer agents and underlying mechanisms.
Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed
Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed, PhD, is a Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor Branch, Malaysia. He is also the Rector of the Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Branch, Malaysia. Professor Dr Abdul Majeed’s research areas include brain science focusing on Alzheimer’s disease, nanopharmacy aimed at improving drug delivery especially to the brain as well as bioethics.
Kalavathy Ramasamy
Kalavathy Ramasamy, PhD, is a Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor Branch, Malaysia. She also heads the Collaborative Drug Discovery Research Group. Professor Dr Ramasamy’s research areas include functional food (probiotics and their beneficial effects), drug discovery (anti-angiogenic, anticancer, antimicrobial and neuroprotective agents, nutraceuticals) and therapeutic targets (cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, metabolic diseases).