Cocos nucifera (Coconut) water of different maturity stages affects hematological and coagulation parameters in rabbits: A positive lead.

Cocos nucifera (coconut) water is a traditionally used beverage and sportsdrink around the world. The recommendations on the use of plants for different conditions often lack proper scientific research. This study is first of its kind to explore, compare and document scientific evidence of the effect of different stages cocos nucifera (coconut) water on hematological and coagulation parameters in rabbits. For this study, we selected healthy rabbits and used their blood samples for our target analysis. 4ml/100g of young and mature cocos nucifera (coconut) water was administered orally once a day to respective groups for 60 days. Control group was administered distilled water orally. Results showed positive effect of coconut water on key hematological parameters including red cells and hemoglobin. Coagulation profile revealed significant increase in platelets and fibrinogen level with decrease in bleeding time and increase in clotting time by coconut water. This study revealed slightly dominating profile of young coconut water over mature coconut water which may be attributed to the unique composition differences between young and mature coconut water including micronutrients, carbohydrates and phenolic components. Outcomes of this research lead to the speculation about possible effect of cocos nucifera (coconut) water in anemia and bleeding disorders.

NSAIDs ameliorate cognitive and motor impairment in a model of parkinsonism induced by chlorpromazine.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a long-lasting neurodegenerative brain disease. It is characterized by a gradual decline in motor and non motor symptoms especially postural instability, tremors and memory impairment with localized loss of neurons mainly in the Substantia nigra. In the current research we evaluated the effects of Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on motor coordination and memory in chlorpromazine (CPZ) induced Parkinson's experimental model. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of CPZ (3 mg/kg) was given to all rats for 21 days to induce Parkinson like symptoms; ibuprofen (40mg/kg/day) and celecoxib (20mg/kg) were administered 30 minutes after CPZ injection. Behavioral parameters like Catalepsy, muscle strength (wire hanging test), locomotor activity (open field test) were observed. Moreover, its effect on memory was explored by the use of water maze and passive avoidance test. Our results showed CPZ significantly induced motor fluctuation and cognitive impairment in a period of 21 days. Celecoxib and ibuprofen significantly improved cataleptic scores (P<0.01), locomotion and muscular coordination in open field (P<0.01) and in wire hanging test (P<0.01). Significant improvement in memory was observed with celecoxib (P<0.01) and ibuprofen (P<0.05) in water maze test as well as in passive avoidance test. Therefore, the present study showed neuroprotective and memory enhancing effect of ibuprofen and celecoxib against CPZ induced Parkinson's model.

Young coconut water ameliorates depression via modulation of neurotransmitters: possible mechanism of action.

In the current era, plants are frequently tested for its antidepressant potential. Therefore young coconut water, a commonly used plant based beverage, was selected to explore its antidepressant potential. Rodents were selected for this study and forced swim test was conducted to explore antidepressant activity. Analysis of brain biogenic amines using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection and potentiation of noradrenaline toxicity model were also incorporated in this study to demonstrate probable antidepressant mechanism of action. Coconut water was administered orally at the dose of 4 ml/100 g. Young coconut water showed highly significant increase in struggling time (p < 0.001) in forced swim test. This suggests antidepressant effect of young coconut water. In noradrenaline toxicity model, it was observed that young coconut water is not a good adrenergic component as its lethality percentage in this test was observed 0 % unlike imipramine which showed lethality of 100 %. High performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection of rodent's brain revealed decline in 5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline and dopamine, with concomitant decline in metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid and increase in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/5-hydroxytryptamine ratio. Findings from the exploration of monoamines suggest antidepressant effect of young coconut water via homeostasis of monoamines synthesis.

Efficacy of combination herbal product (Curcuma longa and Eugenia jambolana) used for diabetes mellitus.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of a combination herbal product that is traditionally used for managing diabetes mellitus. Herbal drug contains Curcuma longa and Eugenia jambolanain the ratio of 1:1. It was orally administered at the dose of 1082 mg/70 kg twice a day for a period of 6 weeks to alloxan induced diabetic rats and compared with glibenclamide (standard). The effects of drug were observed at intervals, with respect to random and fasting glucose levels. HbA1C was also monitored after the drug treatment to monitor the overall diabetic effect. Results revealed that the combination of two herbs significantly reduced fasting and random glucose levels with HbA1C of less than 6% (p<0.001) in comparison to diabetic control. The control of fasting blood glucose levels by herbal combination is similar to the standard drug, glibenclamide (p<0.05). Random glucose levels by herbal combination is better than standard drug after one week and six weeks of treatment (p<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively) and similar after third week of treatment (p<0.05). Also, herbal drug combination showed HbA1C closer to the standard drug. It shows that this herbal combination can be of potential benefit in managing diabetes mellitus in future.

Phase II/III trial of hyperimmune anti-COVID-19 intravenous immunoglobulin (C-IVIG) therapy in severe COVID-19 patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 poses a global health challenge with more than 325 million cumulative cases and above 5 million cumulative deaths reported till January 17, 2022, by the World Health Organization. Several potential treatments to treat COVID-19 are under clinical trials including antivirals, steroids, immunomodulators, non-specific IVIG, monoclonal antibodies, and passive immunization through convalescent plasma. The need to produce anti-COVID-19 IVIG therapy must be continued, alongside the current treatment modalities, considering the virus is still mutating into variants of concern. In this context, as the present study will exploit pooled diversified convalescent plasma collected from recovered COVID-19 patients, the proposed hyperimmune Anti-COVID-19 intravenous immunoglobulin (C-IVIG) therapy would be able to counter new infectious COVID-19 variants by neutralizing the virus particles. After the successful outcome of the phase I/II clinical trial of C-IVIG, the current study aims to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of single low dose C-IVIG in severe COVID-19 patients for its phase II/III clinical trial. METHODS: This is a phase II/III, adaptive, multi-center, single-blinded, randomized controlled superiority trial of SARS-CoV-2 specific polyclonal IVIG (C-IVIG). Patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria will be block-randomized using a sealed envelope system to receive either 0.15 g/Kg C-IVIG with standard of care (SOC) or standard of care alone in 2:1 ratio. The patients will be followed-up for 28 days to assess the primary and secondary outcomes. DISCUSSION: This is a phase II/III clinical trial evaluating safety and efficacy of hyperimmune anti-COVID-19 intravenous immunoglobulin (C-IVIG) in severe COVID-19 patients. This study will provide clinical evidence to use C-IVIG as one of the first-line therapeutic options for severe COVID-19 patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at clinicaltrial.gov with NCT number NCT04891172 on May 18, 2021.

Coconut water of different maturity stages ameliorates inflammatory processes in model of inflammation.

AIM: Coconut water is a natural beverage that is a part of daily diet of many people. This study was designed to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of coconut water of different maturation stages (young and mature) with rat paw edema model of inflammation using plethysmometer. METHODOLOGY: For this study, albino rats were selected and divided into four equal groups (10 rats in each group). Group 1 was set as control and administered distilled water 1 ml orally; Groups 2 and 3 were treated with young and mature coconut water, respectively, at 4 ml/100 g dose orally. Group 4 was treated with the standard drug (ibuprofen) at 400 mg/70 kg. 0.1 ml of 1% w/v acetic acid was administered in the subplantar tissue of rat paw 30 min after oral treatments of groups. Plethysmometer was used to measure rat paw edema. RESULTS: Results revealed that both coconut water possess significant anti-inflammatory activity (P < 0.001). In comparison to control, percent inhibition by young coconut water was 20.22%, 35.13%, 42.52%, and 36% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h of acetic acid administration, respectively. However, maximum percent inhibition (42.52%) was observed in the second phase of the inflammatory process. On the other hand, percent inhibition by mature coconut water was 18.80%, 25.94%, 24.13%, and 18.66% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h of acetic acid administration, respectively. However, maximum percent inhibition (25.94%) was observed in the first phase of the inflammatory process. CONCLUSIONS: This study strongly suggests the use of young coconut water for potent anti-inflammatory effect and mature coconut water for moderate anti-inflammatory effect.