ASSESSMENT OF DERMAL IRRITATION OF LAO NHA QUE COCONUT OIL IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Abstract

       Lao Nha Que virgin coconut oil (LNQ VCO) is a natural product inteneded to treat some skin diseases such as burns, atopic dermatitis, and xerosis.... To provide information on its local irritation, this study was carried out to evaluate the dermal irritation of LNQ VCO. 0.5 ml of VCO was applied on the skin in one side of the spine while 0.5 ml of distilled water was applied on the other side. After 4-hour exposure period, the residual LNQ VCO was removed and the skin reactions for erythema and oedema was described and scored at 1 hour, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after removing the patches. The results showed that the erythema appeard on the LNQ VCO-applied skin in two out of three rabbits and recovered up to 72h. The primary irritation index was calculated to catogorize the skin irritation of LNQ VCO. The primary irritation index of LNQ VCO was 0.78. Thus, LNQ VCO might cause slight irritation on the rabbit’s skin.