Nanoemulgel virgin coconut oil as a new concept for preventing striae gravidarum via modulation of TGF-β, collagen type 1, and elastin expression

Pregnancy affects all body systems. Postpartum involution occurs in most systems, except for striae gravidarum (SG). SG affects 70-90% of pregnancies. Besides causing itching and redness, it is permanent and has psychological impacts, reducing quality of life. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) contains lauric, myristic, and stearic acids, which are effective anti-inflammatory agents by enhancing TGF-β and fibroblast activation, resulting in extracellular matrix (ECM) production, including collagen and elastin in the skin. This study aimed to analyse nanoemulgel virgin coconut oil as a new concept for the prevention of striae gravidarum via the expression of TGF-β, collagen type I, and elastin. This experimental study used a post-test-only control group design involving 35 mice. The treatment group received 1 mL VCO nanoemulgel twice a day during pregnancy. On the second day postpartum, immunohistochemical examination was conducted using monoclonal antibodies. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA tests, with post-hoc testing using Mann-Whitney and Tukey HSD. There was a highly significant difference in TGF-β expression in all groups, with the highest mean expression in P3 (p<0.001). A significant difference in collagen type I expression was observed in all groups, with the highest mean in P1 (p<0.05). A significant difference in elastin expression was also found among groups, with the highest mean in P3 (p<0.05). VCO nanoemulgel increases TGF-β and collagen type I expression, with the optimal dose being 200 µg/mL, while the best dose for elastin expression is 100 µg/mL.