| The hepatoprotective effects of virgin cold-pressed coconut oil (VCPCO) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver injury in Kunming (KM) mice were studied. A total of 72 Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, including normal group, CCl4 liver injury model group, bifendate group (150 mg/kg), coconut oil low dosage group (5 mL/kg), coconut oil medium dosage group (10 mL/kg) and coconut oil high dosage group (20 mL/kg). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) in serum, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver were determined. The liver tissue was examined pathologically by HE staining section. The results showed that VCPCO with dosages of 5, 10 mL/kg and 20 mL/kg could decrease the levels of ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC in serum and MDA in liver, and increase the levels of SOD and GSH-Px in liver. Meanwhile, the results of liver histopathology were consistent with those of biochemical markers. Among them, the effect of high dosage of VCPCO (20 mL/kg) was better than the positive control bifendate. Results indicated that VCPCO had a good protective effect on liver, and the mechanism might be related to its high content of antioxidative and functional compounds. |
