Evaluation of Blood Glucose, serum insulin levels and some Biochemical parameters of Vigin Coconut oil in experimental Diabetic Male wistar Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. Virgin coconut oil (VCO), extracted from fresh coconut kernel without chemical refining or high heat has been promoted as a dietary supplement for people with various ailments including diabetes and has garnered scientific interest for its potential therapeutic benefit. This study was aimed at evaluating the antihyperglycemic effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) and some biochemical parameters in experimental diabetic rats. A total of 25 adult Male rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups, with 5 rats each. Group 1 were the normal control and given 1ml/kg of distilled water, groups II to V were induced with diabetes using 150mg/kg Alloxan intraperitoneally, these were subsequently given 1ml/kg of distilled water, 5ml/kg, 10ml/kg and 15ml/kg of VCO orally daily for four weeks respectively. The results shows the fasting glucose in all the VCO treated groups were statistically ( P  ≤ 0.05) lower when compared with the diabetic control group. Also the insulin levels in these groups was statistically higher ( P  ≤ 0.05) when compared to the diabetic control. Furthermore, histological analysis shows more viable β cells, with increased population and more regularly shaped islets cell having a relatively organized connective tissue sheets, when compared with the normal control group. The higher cholesterol and triglycerides levels observed in the diabetic control group was significantly lower ( P  ≤ 0.05) in all the VCO treated group when both compared with diabetic control. The serum levels of HDL was statistically higher ( P  ≤ 0.05) in all the treatment groups, when compared with both normal and diabetic control groups, while no statistical difference ( P \(\:\ge\:\) 0.05) was observed in the LDL levels even though a slight decrease in serum levels was observed in the 15ml/kg treated group when compared with the diabetic control. The study concludes virgin coconut oil lowered blood glucose, increases serum insulin levels and significantly restore β cell mass. Furthermore, it lowers serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and it increase serum high density lipoprotein levels in Alloxan-induced diabetic Male Wistar rats.