Coconut water and milk demonstrate protective effects against ulceration, reducing inflammation, promoting cell proliferation and supporting mucosal homeostasis.
Experimental Study Coconut Milk Coconut Water Stomach Ulcer
The study was conducted in two phases using 45 male wistar rats divided into 9 groups. The first phase involved treatment of five groups with different substances: normal saline, 95% ethanol, coconut water, coconut milk, and Omeprazole. Ulceration was induced with 95% ethanol except in the saline-control group. The second phase involved four groups: a control group, an ulcer control group receiving acetic acid, a group receiving coconut milk and another receiving Omeprazole. Drug treatments were administered twice daily for 3-6 days post-ulcer induction. Afterwards, blood was collected for haemocytometry and gastric tissues were harvested for histological examinations.
In this study, both coconut water and milk, as well as Omeprazole, led to reduced ulcer scores and gastric lesion indices compared to the ulcer control groups. They also resulted in significantly lower white blood cell, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts compared to the ulcer and overall control groups. Coconut milk, in particular, was associated with a significant reduction in C-reactive protein. The experimental treatments also led to reduced neutrophil infiltration and an increase in mucus cell density. Notably, the coconut milk group showed significantly higher expressions of EGFR and CD31, indicating catalysis of mucosa homeostasis through angiogenesis and mucosal cell proliferation.
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