Cocos nucifera Oil Decreases Edema and Mechanical Hypernociception Induced by Bothrops jararacussu Venom in Mice

Abstract

Bothropic venoms cause intense local damage, pain, edema, and myonecrosis. Cocos nucifera is the naturally most widespread fruit plant on Earth, and both the fruit and the plant have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of several inflammatory disorders. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of virgin coconut oil that was obtained from C. nucifera on paw lesions that were induced by venom from the Bothrops jararacussu snake in mice. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine the chemical profile of virgin coconut oil. The analysis of the main components showed that saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were prominent components of the oil. Virgin coconut oil at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg reduced local edema that was induced by B. jararacussu venom. The 200-mg dose of virgin coconut oil prevented edema that was induced by histamine, serotonin, and bradykinin. However, virgin coconut oil did not prevent edema that was induced by substance P or prostaglandin E2. Virgin coconut oil also reduced peritoneal leukocyte infiltration that was induced by carrageenan and also decreased B. jararacussu venom-induced mechanical hypernociception of the paw. Virgin coconut oil exerted an anti-inflammatory effect on paw injury that was induced by B. jararacussu venom in mice, most likely by inhibiting leukocyte migration and reducing the action of the same inflammatory agents. The analgesic activity of virgin coconut oil appears to depend on opioid receptors.