Insights into coconut oil's anti-obesity potential: in vitro modulation of lipidic accumulation, adipolysis, and immune response

The purpose of this work was to evaluate coconut oil's effect on lipid metabolism-related diseases and immune response using in vitro models. The coconut oil doses were selected according to the results of the safety evaluation performed through genotoxicity and cytotoxicity tests. Then its capacity to modulate obesity-related metabolism was evaluated by measuring adipolysis in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes and hepatic lipid accumulation in hepatocytes (Hep G2). The immunomodulatory activity was evaluated using Caco-2 cells and quantifying pro-inflammatory cytokines’ production (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α). Coconut oil, mainly comprised of medium-chain fatty acids (>60% of total fatty acids), showed a high antioxidant capacity (125.76 ± 11.63 µM trolox equivalent/mL). The results showed that coconut oil was capable of reducing 68% of the lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and 42% in adipocytes. It was also capable of modulating the immune response in IL-1β Caco-2 stimulated cells, reducing IL-6 secretion (22% in the presence of 10 mg/mL of coconut oil and by 19% when 15 mg/mL) and TNF-α secretion (90% and 42% in the presence of 15 or 10 mg/mL of coconut oil, respectively). In short, coconut oil shows great potential for the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals targeting lipid metabolism-related diseases. Practical applications: This study describes the impact of organic virgin coconut oil on obesity-related metabolism and immune response. Despite the high content of saturated fatty acids, this vegetable oil has several beneficial effects in the obesity context by the reduction of lipid accumulation. Coconut oil can reduce lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and adipocytes. Coconut oil is capable of modulating the immune response in gut cells.