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Policosanol

Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
ATC code	C10AX08 (WHO)
Identifiers
IUPAC name Octacosanol, triacontanol, etc.
CAS Number	142583-61-1
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID5021172
Chemical and physical data
Formula	CH3-(CH2)n-CH2OH n=24-34
Molar mass	(variable)
(verify)

Policosanol (or polycosanol) is the generic term for a natural extract of plant waxes. It is used as a nutritional supplement intended to lower LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) and increase HDL cholesterol ("good" or "healthy" cholesterol) and to help prevent atherosclerosis, though some studies have raised questions about the effectiveness of policosanol.

Physical properties

Policosanol is a mixture of a few fatty alcohols derived from the waxes of such plants as sugar cane and yams, as well as beeswax. The most prevalent alcohol in policosanol is octacosanol, followed by triacontanol.

There is a much lower concentration of several other fatty alcohols: behenyl alcohol, lignoceryl alcohol, ceryl alcohol, 1-heptacosanol, 1-nonacosanol, 1-dotriacontanol, and geddyl alcohol.

Modulation of HMG-CoA reductase and bile acid absorption inhibition have been proposed as mechanisms.

Studies

Published studies have come to conflicting conclusions regarding the efficacy of policosanol in lowering LDL (i.e., "bad cholesterol") or raising HDL (i.e., "good cholesterol"). Despite a number of studies funded by the Cuban government, which produces and markets the drug, independent clinical trials have found no evidence of the efficacy of policosanol.

Production

Policosanol is produced, promoted and studied extensively in Cuba. The supplement is considered a panacea by some Cubans.

References

1. Marinangeli CP, Kassis AN, Jain D, Ebine N, Cunnane SC, Jones PJ (2007). "Comparison of composition and absorption of sugarcane policosanols" (abstract). Br. J. Nutr. 97 (2): 381–8. doi:10.1017/S0007114507336763. PMID 17298709.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. Ohta Y, Ohashi K, Matsura T, Tokunaga K, Kitagawa A, Yamada K (2008). "Octacosanol attenuates disrupted hepatic reactive oxygen species metabolism associated with acute liver injury progression in rats intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride". J Clin Biochem Nutr. 42 (2): 118–25. doi:10.3164/jcbn.2008017. PMC 2266062. PMID 18385828.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. Singh DK, Li L, Porter TD (2006). "Policosanol inhibits cholesterol synthesis in hepatoma cells by activation of AMP-kinase". J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 318 (3): 1020–6. doi:10.1124/jpet.106.107144. PMID 16714400.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
4. Ng CH, Leung KY, Huang Y, Chen ZY (2005). "Policosanol has no antioxidant activity in human low-density lipoprotein but increases excretion of bile acids in hamsters". J. Agric. Food Chem. 53 (16): 6289–93. doi:10.1021/jf051269a. PMID 16076108.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
5. ^ Heiner K. Berthold, MD, PhD; Susanne Unverdorben, MD; Ralf Degenhardt, PhD; Michael Bulitta, Dipl-Stat; Ioanna Gouni-Berthold, MD (May 17, 2006). "Effect of Policosanol on Lipid Levels Among Patients With Hypercholesterolemia or Combined Hyperlipidemia". Journal of the American Medical Association. 295 (19): 2262–2269. doi:10.1001/jama.295.19.2262. PMID 16705107. Retrieved 2006-10-03.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
6. Pons P, Rodriguez M, Robaina C, Illnait J, Mas R, Fernandez L, Fernandez JC. (1994). "Effects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment". International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research. 14 (1): 27–33. PMID 7927958.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
7. Chen JT, Wesley R, Shamburek RD, Pucino F, Csako G (2005). "Meta-analysis of natural therapies for hyperlipidemia: plant sterols and stanols versus policosanol". Pharmacotherapy. 25 (2): 171–83. doi:10.1592/phco.25.2.171.56942. PMID 15767233.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
8. Thorsteinsdóttir, Halla; Sáenz, TW; Quach, U; Daar, AS; Singer, PA (2004). "Cuba—innovation through synergy". Nature Biotechnology. 22 (12s): DC19 – DC24. doi:10.1038/nbt1204supp-DC19. PMID 15583679.

External links

• Policosanol at PDRHealth.com
• U.S. patent 6,225,354

• Dietary supplements
• Hypolipidemic agents
• Fatty alcohols