Investigation of the potential antiviral effect of tender coconut water (Cocos nucifera L.) on feline parvovirus (FPV) infection: an in vitro study

Mohd Isa, Raffidah (2023) Investigation of the potential antiviral effect of tender coconut water (Cocos nucifera L.) on feline parvovirus (FPV) infection: an in vitro study. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Tender coconut water (TCW) or Cocos nucifera L. is a biological and sterile liquid that contains a variety of electrolytes, sugars, and amino acids. Recently, it is said to be effective in treating feline panleukopenia caused by feline parvovirus (FPV), a highly infectious disease and high mortality in cats. Clinical signs of this disease include anorexia, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, lethargy, severe dehydration and in most cases, profound leukopenia. Although many pet owners shared their experience on the social media and websites that their cats survived FPV after giving tender coconut water, thus far there is no study proving its antiviral effect. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the potential antiviral effect of TCW following FPV infection in-vitro. Before antiviral study was carried out, the toxicity of Crandell-Rees Feline Kidney Cell (CRFK) after adding sterile TCW in four different concentrations (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) was assessed by using Cell Titer-Blue® Cell Viability Assay. CRFK cells were infected with 1x105 TCID50 of FPV and treated with 75% tender coconut water and then incubated for 48 hours at 37 °C in 5% CO2 in 96-microwell plates. FPV-infected CRFK cells and CRFK cells incubated with PBS served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Cytopathic effect (CPE) was assessed in FPV-treated CRFK cells after 48 hours of incubation and infectious viral titer was measured by TCID50 assays. As a result, the concentration of 75% TCW yielded the highest percentage of cell viability as compared to control and other concentrations. CPEs were observed in both groups, TCW-treated CRFK cells and positive control as characterized by shrunken, elongated, rounded, and detached cells. Additionally, TCID50 of TCW-treated CRFK remained at 1x105 TCID50/ mL . In conclusion, this in vitro study demonstrated that TCW is not causing reduction in FPV virus titers and does not possess any antiviral effects as claimed by most pet owners. Nevertheless, this study requires further confirmations from in vivo study and other factors such as age, immune status of the host and course of the disease.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms Nurhaznita Mahmood
Date Deposited:	08 Aug 2024 00:52
Last Modified:	08 Aug 2024 00:52
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2029

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