Aim:Coconut water is a natural beverage that is a part of daily diet of many people. This study was designed to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of coconut water of different maturation stages (young and mature) with rat paw edema model of inflammation using plethysmometer.Methodology:For this study, albino rats were selected and divided into four equal groups (10 rats in each group). Group 1 was set as control and administered distilled water 1 ml orally; Groups 2 and 3 were treated with young and mature coconut water, respectively, at 4 ml/100 g dose orally. Group 4 was treated with the standard drug (ibuprofen) at 400 mg/70 kg. 0.1 ml of 1% w/v acetic acid was administered in the subplantar tissue of rat paw 30 min after oral treatments of groups. Plethysmometer was used to measure rat paw edema.Results:Results revealed that both coconut water possess significant anti-inflammatory activity (P < 0.001). In comparison to control, percent inhibition by young coconut water was 20.22%, 35.13%, 42.52%, and 36% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h of acetic acid administration, respectively. However, maximum percent inhibition (42.52%) was observed in the second phase of the inflammatory process. On the other hand, percent inhibition by mature coconut water was 18.80%, 25.94%, 24.13%, and 18.66% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h of acetic acid administration, respectively. However, maximum percent inhibition (25.94%) was observed in the first phase of the inflammatory process.Conclusions:This study strongly suggests the use of young coconut water for potent anti-inflammatory effect and mature coconut water for moderate anti-inflammatory effect.

In the current era, plants are frequently tested for its antidepressant potential. Therefore young coconut water, a commonly used plant based beverage, was selected to explore its antidepressant potential. Rodents were selected for this study and forced swim test was conducted to explore antidepressant activity. Analysis of brain biogenic amines using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection and potentiation of noradrenaline toxicity model were also incorporated in this study to demonstrate probable antidepressant mechanism of action. Coconut water was administered orally at the dose of 4 ml/100 g. Young coconut water showed highly significant increase in struggling time (p < 0.001) in forced swim test. This suggests antidepressant effect of young coconut water. In noradrenaline toxicity model, it was observed that young coconut water is not a good adrenergic component as its lethality percentage in this test was observed 0 % unlike imipramine which showed lethality of 100 %. High performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection of rodent's brain revealed decline in 5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline and dopamine, with concomitant decline in metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid and increase in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/5-hydroxytryptamine ratio. Findings from the exploration of monoamines suggest antidepressant effect of young coconut water via homeostasis of monoamines synthesis.

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Objective: To evaluate antihyperlipidaemic activity  of  methanolic  extract  of  seeds  of  Cuminum cyminum L. in hyperlipidaemia in rabbits. Methods:  This study was conducted in Pharmacology Department of University of Karachi; the duration of study was 30 days.  Healthy  rabbits  were  taken  and  hyperlipidaemia  was  induced  by  giving  high cholesterol diet for four weeks. All animals were divided into three groups, with each group having ten rabbits (n=10).The methanolic extract of seeds of Cuminum cminum L.  was  dissolved  in  an organic solvent DMSO (Dimethyl-sulphoxide). One group was control-receiving DMSO,  while  second  group received methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum L.  (MECC)  500mg/kg  and  third  group  re-  ceived Atorvastatin 2mg/kg.Blood samples were taken at 0, 15th and 30th day of dosing and sent for the tests to Punjwani Centre for Molecular medicine & Drug research (PCMD) Diagnostic Laboratory. Results:  The group that was given methanolic extract of  Cuminum Cyminum L.  showed  decrease  in  High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) - cholesterol ratio (7.62 ± 4.01 to 4.45 ±  3.23)  (p<0.05),  cholesterol (208.54 ± 5.71 to 130.26 ± 5.72) (p<0.01), triglyceride (158.75 ± 5.23 to 136.14 ± 8.72) (p<0.001) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) (168.17 ± 5.43  to  135.42±11.39)  (p<0.001)  and  the  group  that  was  given Atorvastatin showed HDL-cholesterolratio(7.33 ±  3.27  to  3.12  ±  2.19)  (p<0.01),  cholesterol (208.11  ± 6.72  to  98.75  ± 3.77)  (p<0.001),  triglyceride  (157.21  ± 6.72  to  141.25  ± 6.84)  (p<0.01) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) (167.25 ± 4.32 to 127.67 ± 10.96) (p<0.001) towards its normal levels from day 0 to 30th day of dosing on comparison to control, whereas triglycerides were significantly de- creased by extract than atorvastatin. Conclusion: The result of this study showed methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum L. possesses antihyperlipidaemic activity.