Abstract:
Objective: To evaluate antioxidant effect of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) and Corn Oil (CO) on germinal thickness (GT)
in rats induced with phenytoin toxicity.
Study design and setting: An Experimental Longitudinal study was done at AL-Tibri Medical College and Hospital Isra
University Karachi Campus.
Methodology: 28 male albino rats were selected and were divided into 4 groups each consisting of 7 rats. Group A received
normal saline solution only, Group B received 10mg/kg/body weight of Phenytoin, Group C received VCO+ Phenytoin,
and Group D received CO+ Phenytoin. Animals were euthanized on the 4th, 5th, & 6th week and tissue sample was acollected
for measuring GT using stage micrometer. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. All values were expressed as mean ± S.D.,
groups compared using One way ANOVA followed by Post hoc Tukey’s test with p- value <0.05.
Results: on 4th, 5th, & 6th week significant difference in germinal thickness was seen in Group A comparing it against the
phenytoin group B (P-value: <0.001, <0.001, & 0.001). On 4th, 5th, & 6th week significant difference in GT was seen in
Group C (VCO + Phenytoin) comparing it against the phenytoin group B (P-value: <0.001, <0.001, &< 0.001). No significant
difference in germinal thickness was seen on 4th, 5th, & 6th week was seen when Group D (CO + Phenytoin) was compared
to Group B (p-value: 0.551, 0.954, & 0.931).
Conclusion: Virgin Coconut Oil can reduce the negative effect caused by phenytoin induced toxicity by preventing thinning
of the germinal layer.
