Effects of polyphenols of Cocos nucifera husk fibreon selected indices of cardiovascular diseases in mice

Cocos nucifera (C. nucifera) oil is indigenously used to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, coconut husk fibre (which is rich in polyphenols) has not been screened for this property. Based on the ethnomedicinal use of polyphenols in treating cardiovascular diseases, this study was carried out to evaluate the effects of polyphenols of C. nucifera husk fibre on selected cardiovascular disease indices in mice. Fifty adult male Swiss albino mice were assigned randomly into five groups (A-E). Mice in groups B, C, D and E were administered 31.25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg body weight polyphenols of ethyl acetate extract of C. nucifera husk fibre respectively while the control group (A) mice received 5% DMSO for seven days. The mice were sacrificed twenty four hours after the last administration of polyphenols. Heart and plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and plasma lipid profile were determined. Results revealed significant reduction (*p< 0.05) in plasma levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol with no significant change (*p> 0.05) in HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and VLDL levels in the plasma at all doses of polyphenols administered compared to controls. There was significant reduction (*p< 0.05) in the activities of heart AST and LDH while plasma ALT, AST, and ALP activities were not significantly altered (*p> 0.05) at all doses of polyphenols administered compared to controls. These results suggest that the polyphenols of C. nucifera husk fibre possess cardio-protective properties and also indicate their possible use in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.