Enzymatic virgin coconut oil effect on urea and creatinine levels of hypercholesterolemia-diabetics induced Wistar male rats

Abstract

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is an Indonesian commodity that has high economic value tall. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is one of the processed coconut products whose selling value is very high, because the composition of VCO consists of medium-chain fatty acids that can maintain a healthy body and prevent various diseases. The process of making VCO used in this research is an enzymatic method using pineapple weevil as a bromelain enzyme. This study aims to evaluate the impact of different doses of enzymatic VCO in reducing urea and creatinine levels in hypercholesterolemic-diabetic male white rats (Rattus norvegicus). This study was an experimental laboratory with a modified pretest and posttest randomized controlled group design using 30 test animals which were divided into 6 groups. Each group consisted of 5 test animals, namely normal control, negative control, positive control receiving branded VCO, and test group given 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mL/kg BW of enzymatic VCO. The animals were administered enzymatic VCO orally every day for 14 days. Urea and creatinine levels were measured in blood samples taken from the tail at each observation time point, which included day 0, 21, 28, and 35. The results showed that enzymatic VCO at a dose of 0.8 mL/kg BW significantly reduced urea and creatinine blood levels with an average decrease of 17.40 mg/dL and 0.36 mg/dL. Based on the findings, VCO produced through enzymatic methods shows potential for controlling blood urea and creatinine levels in hypercholesterolemic-diabetic conditions. Further research regarding its formulation into a convenient and practical product would be highly advantageous for its use as a supplement.