Regenerative Effects of Coconut Water and Coconut Milk on the Pancreatic β–Cells and Cyto Architecture in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Wistar Albino Rats

The effects of Coconut water and Coconut milk on the total body weight, blood glucose level and the cyto- architecture of the pancreatic tissue were studied. A total of 30 albino wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=6). Group 1 –normal control was fed on normal rat chow, Group 2,3,4,5 were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal dose of 100mg/kg b.wt. of alloxan monohydrate. Group 2- diabetic, non treated, were fed on normal rat chow, Group 3, and 4 were fed on coconut water ad libitum for 14 and 28 days respectively, and Group 5 were fed on coconut milk ad libitum for 28 days. The result shows a statistically significant decrease in total body weight in Group 2, 3 and 4 and a non statistically significant increase in body weight in groups 1 and 5. Also there was a statistically significant decrease in blood glucose level in the group fed with coconut water. The pancreatic histology also shows a regenerative effect with administration of both coconut water and especially coconut milk on the degenerative changes caused by diabetes. This study has shown that coconut water has a hypoglycaemic effects and coconut milk has a regenerative effect on the pancreatic cells of alloxan induced diabetic rats. The findings in this research may be of benefit in the management of diabetic patients.