In vitro effects of policosanol (Saccharum officinarum L wax alcohols) on the 5-lipooxygenase enzyme

Introduction: policosanol, a mixture of high molecular weight aliphatic alcohols purified from sugarcane with octacosanol as the main component, shows cholesterol-lowering and antiplatelet effects in addition to an inhibitory effect on type I cicloxygenase. Objective: to determine whether policosanol may inhibit 5-LOX enzyme activity in vitro. Methods: effects on 5-LOX enzyme activities were assessed in rat blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Vehicle or Policosanol suspensions (0.6 to 6 000 µg/mL) were added to tubes containing the reaction mix and then absorbance changes at 234 nm were measured. Results: added Policosanol inhibited in vitro 5-LOX activity by 30 %, which was not a significant figure but depended on the concentration(r= 0.992; p Introduccion: el policosanol es una mezcla de alcoholes alifaticos aislados y purificados de la cana de azucar cuyo componente mayoritario es el octacosanol, con efecto sobre la reduccion de colesterol y antiagregante plaquetario, ademas inhibe la ciclooxigenasa (COX) tipo 1. Objetivo: determinar el poder de inhibicion del policosanol en la actividad de la enzima 5-LOX in vitro. Metodos: el efecto sobre la actividad de la enzima 5-LOX se determino en leucocitos polimorfonucleares obtenidos de sangre de ratas. Se anadieron vehiculo o suspensiones de policosanol (0,6 a 6 000 µg/mL) a tubos que contenian la mezcla de reaccion y se medio el cambio de absorbancia a 234 nm. Resultados: la adicion de policosanol inhibio in vitro la actividad de la 5-LOX en un 30 % que no fue significativo pero si dependiente de la concentracion (r= 0,992; p