Cocos Nucifera Endocarp Extract Exhibits Anti-diabetic and Antilipidemic Activities in Diabetic Rat Model

Background and aim: The fruits of Cocos nucifera have long been used in traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anticancer, and cardiotonic. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic and antilipidemic activities in the diabetic rat model.
Material and methods: Cocos nucifera endocarp was extracted with Methanol and then fractionated with different solvents, namely h-hexane, Chloroform, and ethyl acetate. A total of 30 Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were used in six experimental groups. All the animals were treated for 14 days period. The measured outcomes were fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profiles, acute hypoglycaemic effects, and changes in body weights. Antioxidative studies and phytochemical screening were also performed.
Results: A significant hypoglycemic effect was found in the group treated with ethyl acetate fractions (6.33 ± 0.32 mmol/L, p<0.05) when compared to placebo (7.85±0.38 mmol/L). After a glucose load, the same fraction also showed a significant antihyperglycemic effect within 75 minutes of treatment. Both ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions reduced the baseline serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, no significant change in body weight was reported in any treatment groups. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the methanolic fraction and ethyl acetate fractions showed notable free radical scavenging activity with IC50 value 32.31 μg/ml and 27.55 respectively, compared to standard Tert-Butyl-1-hydroxytolune (23.92 μg/ml), indicating potential antioxidative properties.
Conclusions: Cocos nucifera endocarp showed promising anti-diabetic and antilipidemic properties. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction might be further explored to isolate active medicinal compounds in drug discovery.