Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety

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Journal of Analytical & Pharmaceutical Research
Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety
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Abbreviations: ANOVA: Analysis of Variance; CBT: Cognitive
Behavior Therapy; GABA: Gamma Amino Butyric Acid; GAD:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder; OCD: Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder; SAD: Social Anxiety Disorder; PTSD: Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder; SNRI: Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake
Inhibitors; SPSS: Statistical Package for Social Sciences; SSRI:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; TCAs: Tricyclic
Antidepressants
Introduction
Anxiety is an emotion or it is a feeling of discomfort,
nervousness, apprehension, fear or worry. If it occurs for a short
period, it is a normal reaction but if prolonged at a regular basis, it
can be a serious mental illness [1]. It disturbs the normal routine
life of a person. It is accompanied by fatigue and restlessness. It

intake [2], caffeine or due to some drug withdrawal. It might occur
with other mental disorders [3] like major depressive disorder or
bipolar disorder etc. Another cause is reduced level of inhibitory
neurotransmitter like GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) [4].
There are major six types of anxiety disorders. Generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD), a chronic disorder [5] in which a person
has a persistent feeling that something bad or wrong might occur.
GAD patients feel nervousness all the time without any reason.
It keeps them from concentrating. In Panic disorder, person gets
a short lived and sudden attack of anxiety, in which discomfort
arises less than 10minutes and lasts to several hours, this attack
can be triggered due to some stress or fear. Obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD) is a persistent and uncontrollable feeling and
behavior [6] in which people feel the need to check things
repeatedly. Phobic disorder is the largest category of anxiety that

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), includes intense fear of social
interaction and public embarrassment. It is also known as social
phobia [7]. Performance anxiety is the most common type of SAD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS) results from any extreme
trauma, natural disaster or life-threatening event [8].
General symptoms of all anxiety disorders includes
Palpitation, dry mouth, muscular tension, trembling, nausea,

irritability. Anxiety can be due to genetics but external stimuli
can also trigger its onset or any underlying disease such as
sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson’s
disease [9], rheumatoid arthritis [10], cancer or diabetes, history
of trauma [11], parenting factors [12], cultural factors etc.
Treatment can be variable according to the intensity of
anxiety. Normally anxiety is treated by changes in dietary intake
         
anxiety [13]. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a psychological
treatment that can also be done to treat anxiety [14].
       
from psychotherapy or they may be used as initial treatment
of an anxiety disorder. A combination of medication and
psychotherapy can be more effective [15]. Antidepressants are
         
        
[16]. Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are effective treatment. The
most commonly used anxiolytics also include Benzodiazepine.
Benzodiazepines are also often used as second line treatment
because it disturbs sleep pattern. It is only recommended for those
patients who fail to respond to safer and effective medication i.e.
SSRIs. Dietary and lifestyle changes like Regular exercise and
Volume 6 Issue 4 - 2017
1Department of Pharmacology, Jinnah University for Women,
Pakistan
2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Jinnah University
for Women, Pakistan
3Department of Pharmacognosy, Jinnah University for Women,
Pakistan
*Corresponding author: Sana Sarfaraz, Assistant Professor
at Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy,
Jinnah University for women, 5c Nazimabad Karachi-74600,
Pakistan, Email:
Received: October 15, 2017 | Published: November 21,
2017
Research Article
J Anal Pharm Res 2017, 6(4): 00182
Abstract
Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness, nervousness and fear, which can lead to a
serious mental illness. Currently the trend of population suffering from anxiety
is increasing. The study has been designed to evaluate the anxiolytic potential of
coconut milk. The study was carried out on albino mice weighing 18-25gm either
male or female. Mice were divided into 3 groups. Group I was taken as Control
and given distilled water 0.4ml. Group II was taken as treated and given coconut
milk 0.4ml and Group III was given 0.6ml of coconut milk. Head dip, light and dark
model, cage crossing, open field and elevated plus maze were used to evaluate
coconut milks effect on anxiety. Our study exposed significant effects of anxiolytic
activity of coconut milk in mice. Head dip activity and open field activity show
highly significant result. We conclude that administration of coconut milk gives
anxiolytic effects because it possesses anti-oxidant components as multi vitamins
and minerals. It has less adverse effect as compared to allopathic drugs, we can
use coconut milk in our daily diet.
Keywords: Anxiolytic; Coconut milk; Memory boosting

Citation: Zubair S, Sarfaraz S, Naveed S, Sarwar G (2017) Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety. J Anal Pharm Res 6(4): 00182. DOI:
10.15406/japlr.2017.06.00182
Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety 2/5
Copyright:
©2017 Zubair et al.
reduce caffeine consumption also reduces anxiety. Especially
aerobic exercise has a calming effect [17]. Due to the adverse
effect of these drugs, we have moved to natural therapy.
          
C, E. B1, B3, B5& B6) and minerals. It is lactose free so lactose
intolerance patient can use this milk. A 100 ml serving of
canned coconut milk contains 154 calories, 1.4g protein, 15g
fats and 3.4g carbohydrates [18]. It contains vitamin-C 6.7 mg,
vitamin-E 0.4mg, vitamin-K 0.2mcg, niacin 1.8mg, folate 38.4 mcg,
vitamin-B6 0.1mg, thiamine 0.1mg, calcium 3.4mg, iron 3mg,
magnesium 8.8 mg, potassium 631 mg, phosphorus 240mg, zinc
1.6mg, manganese 2.2mg, copper 0.6mg and selenium 14.9mcg.
New research shows that coconut oil is effective in preventing
and treating neurodegenerative disease states with a very fresh
supply of energy to the brain that prevents unnecessary short-
term symptoms [19]. It contains high level of saturated fats,
which gives instant energy to the body [20], several antioxidant
compounds, which provide protection from free radicals and
lauric acid [21], which is converted in the body to monolaurin,
which has antiviral and antibacterial property and also promotes
brain and bone development. It relieves from stomach & mouth

anemia, control the blood sugar level and lower blood pressure,
        
It is an excellent source of vitamin E, which is good for skin and
hair. It has cooling property. Consuming excessive amounts of
coconut meat, oil or milk gives side effect of weight gain due to
high calories. The present study has been designed to evaluate the
anxiolytic potential of Coconut milk at different doses.
Materials and Methods
Experimental animals
This study was carried out on albino mice either male or female
having weight between 18-25 gm. They were bred and kept in
animal house of Jinnah University for women. The animals were
given food and water ad libitum, and were kept under constant

Dosing regime
The mice were equally divided into 3 groups each group
containing 8 mice. Group I was taken as Control and given distilled
water 0.4ml. Group II was taken as treated and given coconut milk
0.4ml and Group III was given 0.6ml of coconut milk. All groups
were given dose orally once daily. The study was carried out for
15 days.
Coconut milk
       
by Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy Jinnah
University for Women.
Following CNS parameters were conducted on albino mice.
Head dip test
The apparatus of this test consists of a hole board which is an
enclosed wooden rectangular box having an area of 35 cm×45
cm × 45 cm. This box contains holes of 2.5 cm in diameter. Three
holes are found in all four walls [22]. Mice were familiarized with
environment before starting the test. Mice were individually
placed in the centre of the hole board and allowed to move freely
in the box for 5minutes. The number of holes explored by mice
is the measure of the head dips test [22,23]. After each reading
apparatus was cleared with 70% alcohol [24].
Cage crossing activity
This activity was performed in the transparent, Plexiglas cage
(26×26×26cm) apparatus. The mouse was placed in the centre
of the Plexiglas cage gently by its tail. The mouse was allowed to
move for 5 minutes and the number of times mouse crosses the
cage was observed. After performing test, apparatus was cleaned
with 70% alcohol.
Open field test
        
activity and exploratory activity of mice. Assessment took place in

25 squares with a diameter of 15cm each. In the middle arena of
this apparatus, a 15 × 15 cm central square is present.
The albino mouse was placed in the center of arena gently
by the tail. The animal was allowed to move freely for 5minutes.
The numbers of times the mouse moved in peripheral and
central squares were recorded. After performing experiment, the
apparatus was cleaned with 70% alcohol.
Light and dark test
This test was designed by Crawley and Goodwin (1980).
Rodents generally favor dark areas. The apparatus of this test
consists of two compartments, one is small dark compartment,
painted black, it is covered by black lid, other compartment
has transparent sides, it is covered by transparent lid, and this
compartment is illuminated with lamp. This test may be useful to
predict anxiolytic or anxiogenic activity of mice.
Mice were familiarized with the surrounding where the
apparatus was placed. The mice were transferred individually in
the center of the brightly illuminated compartment. Mice were
free to move in light and dark compartments for 5 minutes. The
time spent in each compartment by mice was observed [25].
Elevated plus maze test
This test may be used to check the anxiolytic or anxiogenic
activity of mice. In this test, we used plus shaped apparatus, in
which two arms are enclosed with open roof and two arms are
           
Albino mice were placed gently by the tail in the centre of the
plus shaped apparatus. Animals were allowed to move freely
for 5 minutes. Observe the time spent in each arm and observe
transition from enclosed arm to open arm. After performing test,
apparatus was cleaned with alcohol 70%.
Result and Discussion
The result was analyzed by applying SPSS (Statistical Package
for Social Sciences) 19. We took the mean of all values and then

Citation: Zubair S, Sarfaraz S, Naveed S, Sarwar G (2017) Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety. J Anal Pharm Res 6(4): 00182. DOI:
10.15406/japlr.2017.06.00182
Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety 3/5
Copyright:
©2017 Zubair et al.
treated Group II and I were compared with control and with
        
determined by applying two way ANOVA (analysis of variance)
followed by post hoc Tukeys test. Value of p<0.05 is considered


Allopathic medicines have many adverse effects so we move to
natural remedies to treat different diseases. Here we took coconut
milk to check different parameters of CNS activity and our results
show that coconut milk possesses anxiolytic activity. Table 1
shows the effect of coconut milk on head dip activity (Figure 1).
Table 1: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on head dip activity.
Drugs Baseline 7 Days 15 Days
Control (0.4ml
Distill water) 25.5±0.84 21.8±1.03 21.3±1.15
Treated I (Coconut
Milk 0.4ml) 21.3±0.82 20.8±0.78IS 11.4±0.51
Treated II (Coconut
Milk 0.6ml) 25.5±0.70 13.9±0.87 12.3±1.12
Initially when mice were placed in head dip apparatus, they
tried to escape from the holes of apparatus due to neophobic
response [26]. So on exposure to apparatus anxiety developed
due to state of fear, so decrease in number of escapes after
administration of coconut milk, show anxiolytic property of it. In
        
to control after 15 days dosing by both the doses. It shows that
coconut milk reduces the anxiety (Table 2 & Figure 2).
Initially when mice were placed in cage crossing apparatus, due
to state of fear mice crossed the cage several times. However, after
administration of coconut milk number of crossing decreased, it
shows that coconut milk possesses anxiolytic property. Moreover,
   
& Figure 3b).
Table 2: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on cage crossing activity.
Drugs Baseline 7 Days 15 Days
Control (0.4ml Distill
water) 7.1±0.73 6.7±0.94 7.0±0.66
Treated I (Coconut
Milk 0.4ml) 7.3±0.83 5.0±0.56 3.8±0.63
Treated II (Coconut
Milk 0.6ml) 7.4±0.81 4.0±0.66 2.6±0.51
Table 3a: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on central square

Drugs Baseline 7 Days 15 Days
Control (0.4ml
Distill water) 8.7±0.67 8.5±0.65 9.1±0.56
Treated I (Coconut
Milk 0.4ml) 8.9±0.87 14.6±1.07 18.8±1.47
Treated II (Coconut
Milk 0.6ml) 8.6±0.51 14.4±1.17 17.4±1.26
Figure 1: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on head dip activity.
Two way Anova was performed for statistical analysis followed by



groups.
Figure 2: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on Cage crossing
activity.
Two way Anova was performed for statistical analysis followed by
post hoc Tukeys test. P values were represented as *** p<0.001: Highly


Figure 3a: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on Central square
activity (Open Field).
Two way Anova was performed for statistical analysis followed by
post hoc Tukeys test. P values were represented as ***p<0.001: Highly



Citation: Zubair S, Sarfaraz S, Naveed S, Sarwar G (2017) Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety. J Anal Pharm Res 6(4): 00182. DOI:
10.15406/japlr.2017.06.00182
Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety 4/5
Copyright:
©2017 Zubair et al.
Table 3b: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on peripheral square

Drugs Baseline 7 Days 15 Days
Control (0.4ml
Distill water) 263.9±1.64 260±0.99 261±1.42
Treated I (Coconut
Milk 0.4ml) 262±1.30 109±1.22 56.8±1.11
Treated II (Coconut
Milk 0.6ml) 264±1.21 89.2±0.98 19.3±1.0
Our results showed that the number of peripheral squares
       

coconut milk administration reduced anxiety. Table 4 shows the
effect of coconut milk on light & dark model (time spent in light)
(Figure 4).
Table 4: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on time spent in light
area (light and dark box).
Drugs Baseline 7 Days 15 Days
Control 0.4ml
Distill water 117.5±1.35 116.4±1.70 117.3±1.61
Treated I (Coconut
Milk 0.4ml) 117.6±1.44 123.4±1.55 132.2±0.99
Treated II (Coconut
Milk 0.6ml) 117.7±1.51 121.5±1.31 128.7±1.22
Time spend in light box was increased which shows the

Table 5 shows the effect of coconut milk on elevated plus maze
model (time spent in open arm) (Figure 5).
    
was increased, which showed the anxiolytic activity of coconut
milk.
Table 5: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on time spent in open
arm (elevated plus maze).
Drugs Baseline 7 Days 15 Days
Control (0.4ml
Distill water) 76.3±0.88 75.2±0.75 76.0±0.81
Treated I (Coconut
Milk 0.4ml) 74.6±0.99 81.4±1.11 90.4±0.76
Treated II (Coconut
Milk 0.6ml) 76.6±0.95 81.7±0.74 89.8±1.20
The mechanism of action of anxiolytic drug is it mediates the
effect of the GABA neurotransmitter by binding with receptor
of GABA, which causes opening of chloride ion and causes
hyperpolarization [27]. Due to antioxidant property of coconut
milk, it gives neuroprotective effects. The antioxidant effect of
Figure 3b: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on Peripheral
square activity (Open Field).
Two way Anova was performed for statistical analysis followed by
post hoc Tukeys test. P values were represented as *** p<0.001: Highly


Figure 4: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on Time spent in
Light area (Light and Dark box).
Two way Anova was performed for statistical analysis followed by
post hoc Tukeys test. P values were represented as *** p<0.001: Highly

        
within groups.
Figure 5: Effect of different doses of coconut milk on Time spent in
Open arm (Elevated Plus Maze).
Two way Anova was performed for statistical analysis followed by
post hoc Tukeys test. P values were represented as *** p<0.001: Highly



Citation: Zubair S, Sarfaraz S, Naveed S, Sarwar G (2017) Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety. J Anal Pharm Res 6(4): 00182. DOI:
10.15406/japlr.2017.06.00182
Evaluation of Effect of Coconut Milk on Anxiety 5/5
Copyright:
©2017 Zubair et al.
coconut milk is due to presence of vitamin C & E, selenium and
zinc. Hence, due to the presence of these agents coconut milk
produces relief from anxiety. Coconut milk is used commonly in
juices and drinks and this anxiolytic property of coconut milk

of anxiety.
Conclusion
From the above study, we came to conclude that coconut milk
produces anxiolytic effect at both the doses however increasing
the dose did not change the anxiolytic effect as shown by our
results. Further studies need to be carried out to determine the
exact mechanism by which coconut milk produces the anxiolytic
effect.
Acknowledgement
None.
Conict of Interest
None.
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