ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 caused by the novel SARS Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing serious problems in the global public health sphere. In the absence of a powerful antiviral treatment, the exploration of plant-based products with antiviral potential has gained interest. Scope and Approach: This commentary presents the prospects of utilizing coconut oil directly or its derivatives such as monolaurin in treating COVID-19 with a special emphasis on their biochemical characteristics features. The potential pitfalls therein and way forward are also highlighted. Key findings and conclusions: There are enough research-backed evidences to demonstrate the antiviral capabilities of coconut oil and monolaurin. The possibility of developing a medium-chain fatty acidbased nasal spray as a prophylactic or therapeutic is also discussed. Nevertheless, the potential impediments in devising suitable therapeutic models to treat SARS-CoV-2, are presented.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Monolaurin and lauric acid (C12) have demonstrated considerable viral activity. Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid that accounts for around 50% of coconut oil;monolaurin is a metabolite produced by the body's enzymes after ingestion of coconut oil and is available as a supplement. Sodium lauryl sulfate, a lauric acid-based surfactant, exhibits antiviral properties. Several antiviral products contain lauric acid, monolaurin, and sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate). This article summarizes the 3 mechanisms proposed to explain the antiviral activity of lauric acid and monolaurin: first, they cause virus envelope disintegration;second, they can inhibit late maturation in the virus replication cycle;and third, they can prevent viral proteins from binding to the host cell membrane. This article also discusses several in vitro, animal, and human research that support the potential of coconut oil, lauric acid, and its derivatives.
ABSTRACT
The main causative agent for the global pandemic of COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Developing therapeutic strategies to stop the virus is the hour of need. According to the recent clinical reports, it is seen that an androgen-regulated host cell serine protease TMPRSS2 acts on the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which interacts with the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and enters the host cell to cause the infection. Reports also suggest that TMPRSS2 is regulated by androgen present in prostate cells and it is highly expressed in PCa patients. Our lab has recently synthesized a new cisplatin prodrug which is a conjugate of lauric acid and cisplatin that potentially works very effectively in various androgen dependent and independent prostate cancer (PCa) cells. The cisplatin prodrug unlike other conventional platinum drugs is involved in inhibition of one of the major metabolic pathways of the PCa cells. Preliminary results show that, the prodrug in combination with the anti-androgen bicalutamide has an increased inhibition on the expression of TMPRSS2 in androgen dependent PCa and lung carcinoma cells along with down-regulation of some the lipogenic enzymes in-vitro. Here, we propose that the prodrug inhibits one of the mitochondrial metabolic pathways making the PCa cells sensitive towards cisplatin-based chemotherapy along with reducing the expression of TMPRSS2. Once completed, our work will provide an inside story of cisplatin prodrug mediated alteration of lipogenesis of cells in PCa tumor microenvironment resulting in a platform that has the potential to reduce the burden of cancer aggressiveness in both androgen dependent and independent PCa and also can be used as a potent chemotherapeutic agent against COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is coconut oil that is processed in a simple way without involving synthetic chemicals. Production methods that are commonly carried out on a household scale or micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) include the methods of induced, salting, centrifugation, and fermentation. This process causes the lauric acid content of VCO to be the highest compared to the other 2 oils, which is 53.70-54.06%, while ordinary coconut oil is 2.81% and palm oil is 0.45%. The high content of lauric acid makes VCO beneficial for health, including increasing endurance and accelerating the healing process of disease. In national and global and markets, until the 1990s VCO developed very slowly. But in 2020 the VCO market began to grow because people use this product as an antivirus against Covid-19. This paper explores the advantages, manufacturing technology, and trade of local and global VCO. Research results that apply VCO to food products and VCO-based food products that have the potential to be developed on the MSME scale are presented. Based on market potential, technology, and business capital, the most potential VCO-based product to be developed is chocolate bar.
ABSTRACT
Understanding the complex pathogenesis of COVID-19 continues to evolve. With observation and quarantine as the prevailing standard of care, this study evaluated the effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) in the biochemical markers of suspect and probable cases of COVID-19. A 28-day randomized, double-blind, controlled intervention was conducted among 63 adults in two isolation facilities in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either a standardized meal (control) or a standardized meal mixed with a predefined dosage of VCO. Changes in clinical markers were measured at three time points (day 0, 14, and 28), with daily monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms. Participants in the intervention group showed a significant decline in the C-reactive protein level, with the mean CRP level normalized to ≤ 5 mg/dL on the 14th day of the intervention. As an adjunct therapy, meals mixed with VCO is effective fostering faster recovery from COVID-19.