Phytochemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity of Coconut

Abstract

Coconut (Cocosnucifera L.) is a plant that able to beused in many different ways. For example, tender coconut water is natural refresh beverage, coconut oil used for cooking, coconut shell used for household appliances, and coconut stem used formaking furnitures.Traditional medicineinformation described about the treatment belief by using some parts of the coconut such as coconut water is used to treat kidney disease, coconut shell charcoal for treatment of diarrhea, and tea from coconut fiber to cure dyspepsia. In present, manyresearch information supported that some parts of coconuthave ability to prevent and treat many diseases.They found that coconut waterhas thebeneficial effects on hypertension,  hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia  in animal model. They also have the properties about hepatoprotective activity, bone loss protection, gastroprotective effect, and anti-inflammation. Coconut oil has antiviral and antioxidant activity. Coconut fiber has analgesic activity, anti-inflammation and antibacterial and antiviral activity. Therefore, Coconut is a potential plant that could bedevelop to food supplement.