The Potentialities of Oil extract (VCO) from Cocos nucifera as Effective and Safe

Antiviral agent against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is still a serious issue around the world. This COVID-19 virus can
infect people of all ages. However, older people and those with underlying medical problems
like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to
develop serious illness. Frontline workers, health workers, and other staffs are fighting to
combat this virus, and scientists are doing tests, finding cures, and vaccines that could save the
lives of millions of people. But while vaccine studies have been placed on a pedestal by millions
around the world, researchers are conducting new studies on a few possible Covid-19
treatments to speed up the process of eradicating the virus. One of those is the study about the
Virgin coconut oil that comes from Cocos nucifera.

Cocos nucifera or coconut tree is known as the “tree of life” due to the many use of its
different parts; from the leaves, fruit, trunk, shoots, husk, and shell there are different use and
products that may produce on it. Virgin Coconut Oil, one of the product of Cocos nucifera is
famous for its plenty health benefits, it is extracted from coconut milk that heated on 100 to
120 degrees celsius in 60 minutes until the walter completely evaporated. It is considered the
“healthiest oil in the world” and a readily available commodity in the Philippines. The benefits
of the oil is vast as it can improve the heart health, burn fat, reduce seizures, raise HDL
cholesterol, protect the skin, hair, and teeth, reduce abdominal fat etc. However, that’s not all
it can give. It also contains multiple compounds which have antibacterial, antiviral, and
immunodulatory properties that can be essential in studies against COVID-19.

Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is rich in medium chain triglycerides that is known for its
antimicrobial effects. Lauric Acid, the predominant fatty acid of virgin coconut oil, produces a
chemical called monolaurin that demonstrated anti-microbial properties against gram-positive
bacteria (Projan et al 1994, Peterson et al., 2004) and other viruses such as Junin virus (JUNV),
Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), etc. These two, Lauric acid and monolaurin, are the main
components of the virgin coconut oil that has antiviral activity conceding it to be used against
COVID-19. Monolaurin can disintegrate the viral cell envelope of both RNA and DNA viruses
through the incorporation of fatty acids, destroying the phospholipid layers in the membranes
of the envelope. The viral envelope gives protection to the virus and helps in viral entry into a
host cell, destroying it weakens the virus. Monolaurin also has adverse effects on the viral
maturation phase. It inhibits the viral maturation through reduction of viral glycoproteins and
increased the incorporation of triacylglycerols in the host plasma membrane. Sodium lauryl
sulfate, the salt form of lauric acid, also demonstrated an inhibitory effect against enveloped
virus. Lastly, the binding of viral M proteins to the host cell membrane is prevented due to the
presence of lauric acid. These antiviral activities of virgin coconut oil are suitable in stopping the
SAR-CoV-2 due to the virus characteristics of infection.

Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRP) and Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) together with the University of the Philippines-Philippine
General Hospital (UP-PGH) Covid-19 Research group, is conducting the “Virgin Coconut Oil and
Omega-3a Adjunctive Therapy for Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19” study to assess the
outcome on how Virgin Coconut Oil will perform as a supplement for the Covid-19 patients. The
Virgin Coconut Oil is tested to know if its antiviral properties are effective to prevent or reduce
the COVID-19 infections. Consequently, the study shows evidence that the compounds of virgin
coconut oil can decrease the coronavirus count by 60 to 90 percent for mild to moderate cases
and increase the response of the immune system against COVID-19. Another study together
with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is a research for COVID-19 persons under
investigation (PUIs) that will be conducted in isolation facilities in communities and hospitals in
National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon Region. This study aims to assess the probability
of Virgin Coconut Oil for COVID-19 patients as well as contacts and other high-risk groups.

There are other studies that are being conducted that can strengthen the potential use
of Virgin Coconut Oil in fighting against COVID-19. The study of Dr. Fabian Antonio Dayrit of
Ateneo de Manila University and Dr. Mary Newport of Spring Hill Neonatolody, Inc in “ The
Potential of coconut Oil and Derivatives as Effective and Safe Antiviral Agents Against the Novel
Coronavirus (nCoV-2019)” found that lauric acid and its derivative, monolaurin, have antiviral
activities that can prevent the coronavirus from spreading and replicating. Study of Ramesh,
S.V. entitled “Coconut oil as virucidal agent: prospects and challenges in COVID-19” has been
published and suggested that development of lauric acid-based novel prophylactic or
therapeutic measures would be possible to block the respiratory infections such as COVID-19. A
rapid review was also done by Carol Stephanie C. Tan-Lim and Corinna Victoria Martinez of the
University of the Philippines Manila with the title “Should virgin coconut oil be used in
adjunctive treatment of COVID-19?”. It provided evidences on the efficacy and safety of Virgin
Coconut Oil in treating patients with COVID-19.

Given the absence of cure for COVID-19, recognizing these studies gives a lot of
evidence for Virgin Coconut Oil to be a probable agent against the COVID-19. The success of
this research will help a lot of patients as this treatment is very affordable and does not have
serious effects when taken.

References:
Datrit, F.A, and Newport, M. (2020, January 31). The Potential of coconut Oil and Derivatives as
Effective and Safe Antiviral Agents Against the Novel Coronavirus (nCoV-2019). Ateneo
de Manila University. https://ateneo.edu/ls/sose/sose/news/research/potential-
coconut-oil-and-its-derivatives-effective-and-safe-antiviral?fbclid=IwAR3vOT3fcyAYXFr-
ia1j80sP9lvGFaGmzImUQ3tqBPXhVIDE7urCAAIZTq0
Tan-Lim, C.S, and Martinez, C.V. (n.d). Should virgin coconut oil be used in adjunctive
treatment of COVID-19?. Acta Medica Philippina.
https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/1606/1345
Ramesh, S.V. (2020, May 07). Coconut oil as virucidal agent: prospects and challenges in COVID-
19. Authorea. https://www.authorea.com/doi/full/10.22541/au.158888265.53194913?
fbclid=IwAR3BButtS_kHhe21cOBWBdYo13FW18CcsI2Rjb0nQNKf37O5Ah1ieY7ACiY#
Filipino Scientists claim coconut oil can destroy coronavirus. (2020, October 20) Daily Sabah.
https://www.dailysabah.com/life/science/filipino-scientists-claim-coconut-oil-can-
destroy-coronavirus
Yu Lim, G. (2020, March 11). Coconut and COVID-19: Philippines studying antiviral properties of
coconut oil as potential treatment. Nutra.
https://www.nutraingredients-asia.com/Article/2020/03/11/Coconut-and-COVID-19-
Philippines-studying-antiviral-properties-of-coconut-oil-as-potential-treatment
Virgin Coconut oil a potential antiviral agent vs COVID-19, research shows. (2020, October 19).
Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1349580/vco-a-potential-antiviral-agent-vs-
covid-19-research-shows
Arayata, M.C. (2020, April 01). 2 More studies on VCO to fight Covid-19 underway: DOST.
Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098482