[SQUALENE: PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES].

The review of literature demonstrates that squalene, known to most experts as an intermediate product in the synthesis of cholesterol, has several pharmacological properties including hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antioxidant, and antitoxicant activity. Squalene is effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 and can potentiate the activity of some antitumor (antiblastoma) preparations and reduce their undesired side effects. This bioactive substance has low toxicity and, in therapeutic doses, does not produce any damaging action on the human organism. A promising source of raw material for the commercial production of squalene is offered by amaranth seed oil.