Publication:

Evaluation of protective potency of coconut oil-based probiotic against antibiotic-induced compromised gastrointestinal attributes and associated complications in Swiss albino mice

Background Antibiotic-induced gastrointestinal toxicity is a major concern globally. The gut-organ axis has been explicitly studied, and hence, any damage to the gut ecosystem directly or indirectly manifests into compromised multi-organ functions. Therefore, the present study was designed to explore the protective potency of coconut oil-probiotic (C-PRO) against antibiotic-induced compromised gastrointestinal attributes and associated complications.

Methods Animals were divided into 5 groups (n=6). Normal saline was given to the control group; the antibiotic cocktail was given to the antibiotic group. In the treatment group, low and high doses of C-PRO were given post-antibiotic treatment. In the per se group, only a high dose of C-PRO was given. After 28 days, animals were studied for neurobehavioral parameters and scarified. Blood and organs were collected and stored for histopathological, immune histochemical, and biochemical analysis.

Results Antibiotic treatment reduced body weight, increased oxidative stress, and caused histopathological damage to the stomach, duodenum, colon, brain, heart, liver, lungs, kidney, spleen, and testis. It also altered biochemical parameters such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Additionally, Antibiotic exposure in mice exhibited depressive-like behaviour and declined cognitive function. The treatment with a low dose of C-PROs showed negligible protective effect, whereas a high dose of C-PRO effectively reversed the structural, biochemical, and neurobehavioral attributes toward normal.

Conclusions We conclude that the synergistic effect of coconut oil and probiotics, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, might be responsible for multidimensional protective effects against compromised gastrointestinal attributes and associated complications.