Coconut phytocompounds inhibits polyol pathway enzymes: Implication in prevention of microvascular diabetic complications

• Published in: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids leukotrienes and essential fatty acids, 2017-12, Vol.127, p.20-24
• Main Authors: Sheela, Devi Lekshmi, Nazeem, Puthiyaveetil Abdulla, Narayanankutty, Arunaksharan, Shylaja, R. Muthangaparambil, Davis, Sangeetha P., James, Priyanga, Valsalan, Ravisankar, Devassy Babu, Thekkekara, Raghavamenon, Achuthan C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aldehyde Reductase - chemistry; Aldehyde Reductase - metabolism; Aldose reductase; Animals; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Coconut oil; Coconut Oil - chemistry; Coconut Oil - therapeutic use; Diabetes; Diabetic Nephropathies - diet therapy; Diabetic Nephropathies - pathology; Diabetic Retinopathy - diet therapy; Diabetic Retinopathy - pathology; Dipeptidyl peptidase-4; Fatty Acids - therapeutic use; Humans; Lauric acid; Lauric Acids - chemistry; Lauric Acids - therapeutic use; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Medium chain saturated fatty acid; Polymers - chemistry; Polyphenols - chemistry; Polyphenols - therapeutic use; Rats
• ISSN: 0952-3278; 1532-2823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2017.10.004

Coconut oil (CO), the primary choice of cooking purposes in the south Asian countries, is rich in medium chain saturated fatty acids, especially lauric acid (50–52%). The oil has high medicinal use in Ayurvedic system and known to contain polyphenolic antioxidants. Studies have reported that CO improves insulin sensitivity and shows hypoglycemic effect. However, there is no information regarding its effect on chronic diabetic complications including retinopathy and nephropathy is available. The secondary diabetic complications are mediated by the activation of polyol pathway, where aldose reductase (AR) plays crucial role. In this study, in silico analysis has been used to screen the effect of CO as well as its constituents, MCFAs and phenolic compounds, for targeting the molecules in polyol pathway. The study revealed that lauric acid (LA) interacts with AR and DPP-IV of polyol pathway and inhibits the activity of these enzymes. Validation studies using animal models confirmed the inhibition of AR and SDH in wistar rats. Further, the LA dose dependently reduced the expression of AR in HCT-15 cells. Together, the study suggests the possible role of CO, particularly LA in reducing secondary diabetic complications. •Coconut oil is a common edible oil rich in lauric acid is gaining momentum in the healthcare systems.•Docking studies revealed higher efficiency of lauric acid with target molecules of polyol pathway.•In vitro and in vivo studies documented inhibitory of aldose reductase, a key enzyme of polyol pathway.•Coconut oil, in particular lauric acid is suggested as a candidate for alleviating diabetic complications.