DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjds.2026.v13i2.002

Pages: 23-29

Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases are among the most disabling conditions affecting the nervous system. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of coconut water on aluminum chloride–induced neurodegenerative disorder in the cerebellum in Wistar rats. Thirty-two (32) male Wistar rats were used for this study. Animals were grouped into eight (8) with each consisting of 4 animals each; Group I served as the control; Group II received aluminum chloride only (10 mg/kg); Group III received donepezil only; Group IV received aluminum chloride and donepezil; Groups V and VI were treated with aluminum chloride plus coconut water at doses of 500 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg respectively; while Groups VII and VIII received coconut water 500 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg. The experiment lasted twenty-eight days. Animals were sacrificed, the cerebellum was collected for histological analyses and blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses (GSH, GPx, CAT, SOD, and MDA). Behavioral assessment using the wire hang test evaluated motor coordination and neuromuscular strength. Results revealed that coconut water treatment improved antioxidant status, with significant increases in CAT (group V - 3.60 ± 0.52, group VI - 3.75 ± 0.04) and GPx (group V - 0.04 b ± 0.00, group VI - 0.04 ± 0.00) levels (p < 0.05) compared to the AlCl₃-induced group (CAT - 2.19 ± 0.02 and Gpx - 0.04 ± 0.00). An increase was observed in the mean time for wire hang test for animals in group I (control group). After treatment the mean time increased in the following groups III, IV, and VI. Coconut water improved motor coordination, and provided neuroprotective effect in Wistar rats.