Ex vivo antioxidant effects of D-004, a lipid extract from Roystonea regia fruits, on rat prostate tissue.

AIM: To investigate whether oral treatment with D-004, a lipid extract of the Cuban royal palm fruit, produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue of normal and testosterone (T)-treated rats. METHODS: In our first experiment, normal rats were distributed into five groups: one group treated with the vehicle and four groups treated with D-004 (100, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg). In our second experiment, rats were randomized into five groups: a negative control group and four T-injected groups. The latter were comprised of a positive control group treated with the vehicle, and three groups treated with D-004 (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg). RESULTS: In normal rats, D-004 (100-800 mg/kg) inhibited significantly and dose-dependently iron-initiated malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation in prostate homogenates (35.7%-80.0%) vs the controls. D-004 (200-800 mg/kg) significantly reduced baseline MDA and carbonyl groups in prostate homogenates of normal rats to approximately 80% and 50%, respectively, and totally (100%) in T-treated rats. CONCLUSION: Oral treatment with D-004 reduced MDA and carbonyl groups dose-dependently and markedly in normal and T-injected rats. These findings show that D-004 given at doses effective to prevent prostate hyperplasia also produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue.

Effects of D-003, a mixture of high-molecular-weight sugar cane wax acids, on lipid peroxidation markers in older individuals: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Aging is associated with increased lipid peroxidation (LP). D-003, a mixture of long-chain aliphatic primary acids purified from sugar cane wax, has been found to inhibit LP in experimental models and in healthy subjects. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of D-003 on LP markers and the lipid profile of older individuals. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at the Plaza Veterans' House, Havana City, Cuba. Male and female patients aged ≥60 years with total cholesterol values of <6.1 mmol/L were eligible for inclusion in the study. After a 3-week lead-in and baseline assessment period, patients were randomized to receive PO D-003 5 mg/d, D-003 10 mg/d, or placebo for 8 weeks. The effect on copper-induced LP of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles was the primary variable, and the effects on plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, plasma antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) activities, and the lipid profile were secondary variables. A clinical examination was performed at each visit (baseline, weeks 4 and 8). A clinical examination, LP, and blood tests (lipid profile, hematologic, and blood biochemistry safety indicators) were performed at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. Compliance and adverse events (AEs) were assessed at weeks 4 and 8. A 2-tailed P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for comparisons of both continuous and categoric variables. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients aged ≥60 years were assessed for inclusion in the study, and 51 patients (40 women, 11 men; mean [SD] age, 67 [6] years) were included in the study. The lag phase of conjugated diene formation increased significantly and in a dose-dependent manner in the group treated with D-003 5 mg (24.7%; P < 0.01) and in the group treated with D-003 10 mg (29.3%; P < 0.01) compared with placebo. The maximal rate of conjugated diene propagation decreased significantly in the D-003 5- and 10-mg groups -22.7% and -25.8%, respectively; both, P < 0.05) compared with placebo. TAS increased significantly (17.7% and 23.0%, respectively; both, P < 0.01) in both active treatment groups compared with placebo. Plasma MDA concentration decreased significantly in the D-003 10-mg group (-28.6%; P < 0.05) but not in the D-003 5-mg group, compared with placebo. These changes were also significant compared with baseline. Antioxidant enzyme activities did not change in the active treatment groups compared with placebo or baseline. In the D-003 5- and 10-mg groups, significant decreases were found in LDL cholesterol concentration (-15.8% and -23.8%, respectively; both, P < 0.001) and total cholesterol concentration (-13.0% and -16.8%, both, P < 0.05) compared with placebo. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration increased significantly in the D-003 5-mg group (5.7%; P < 0.05) and the D-003 10-mg group (18.2%; P < 0.001) compared with placebo. Changes in the lipid profile were also significant compared with baseline. In the placebo group, no variable changed significantly compared with baseline. D-003 was well tolerated at both dose levels, and no patient withdrew from the study. There were a total of 3 AEs reported: insomnia and acidity in 2 patients receiving placebo; and heartburn in 1 patient receiving D-003 5 mg. CONCLUSIONS: D-003 5 and 10 mg/d administered to these older individuals (aged ≥60 years) for 8 weeks inhibited LP of LDL and increased TAS in a dose-dependent manner, while plasma MDA concentration decreased in the patients receiving D-003 10 mg/d only. D-003 was well tolerated at both doses.

Preventive effect of D-002, a mixture of long-chain alcohols from beeswax, on the liver damage induced with CCl4 in rats.

D-002 is a mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols purified from beeswax with antioxidant effects. Acute hepatotoxicity induced with CCl4 in rats has been related to increased hepatic lipid peroxidation and prevented with some antioxidants. This study investigated whether D-002 could prevent the acute CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Animals were randomly distributed into four groups: a negative control treated orally with the vehicle and three groups injected with CCl4 (1 mL/kg) and treated orally either with the vehicle (positive control) or with D-002 (25 and 100 mg/kg). Eighteen hours after CCl4 dosing, rats were anesthetized, and livers were removed for histopathological studies. Some portions were taken and homogenized for assessing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Positive, but not negative, controls showed ballooned cells, swollen hepatocytes, and lipid-included hepatocytes, as well as necrotic areas and inflammatory infiltrates. D-002 (25 and 100 mg/kg) dose-dependently and significantly (P < .01) decreased the frequency of all abnormal liver cell types and increased that of normal hepatocytes compared with the positive controls, not showing necrotic areas or inflammatory infiltrates. D-002 dose-dependently decreased hepatic MDA levels, but only in the highest dose group were these levels significantly lower than in the positive control. In conclusion, D-002 effectively prevented the histological liver disturbances and lowered MDA levels, a marker of cellular lipid peroxidation, in rats treated with CCl4. Since increased liver lipid peroxidation has been postulated as a cause of CCl4-induced liver damage in rats, the preventive effects of D-002 could be due to its antioxidant action, but such a proposal still requires further research.

D-004 ameliorates phenylephrine-induced urodynamic changes and increased prostate and bladder oxidative stress in rats.

BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) mainly depend on alpha1-adrenoreceptors (α1-ADR) stimulation, but a link with oxidative stress (OS) is also involved. D-004, a lipid extract of Roystonea regia fruits, antagonizes ADR-induced responses and produces antioxidant effects. The objective of this study was to investigate whether D-004 produce antioxidant effects in rats with phenylephrine (PHE)-induced urodynamic changes. METHODS: Rats were randomized into eight groups (ten rats/group): a negative vehicle control and seven groups injected with PHE: a positive control, three treated with D-004 (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) and three others with tamsulosin (0.4 mg/kg), grape seed extract (GSE) (250 mg/kg) and vitamin E (VE) (250 mg/kg), respectively. RESULTS: Effects on urinary total volume (UTV), volume voided per micturition (VM), malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl groups (CG) concentrations in prostate and bladder homogenates were study outcomes. While VM and UTV lowered significantly in the positive control as compared to the negative control group, the opposite occurred with prostate and bladder MDA and CG values. D-004 (200-800 mg/kg) increased significantly both VM and UTV, lowered significantly MDA in prostate and bladder homogenates, and reduced GC levels only in the prostate. Tamsulosin increased significantly VM and UTV, but unchanged oxidative variables. GSE and VE unchanged the UTV, whereas VE, not GSE, modestly but significantly attenuated the PHE-induced decrease of VM. CONCLUSIONS: Single oral administration of D-004 (200-800 mg/kg) was the only treatment that ameliorated the urodynamic changes and reduced increased oxidative variables in the prostate of rats with PHE-induced prostate hyperplasia.

Protective effect of D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols, against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers and mechanism of action.

D-002, a mixture of higher aliphatic beeswax alcohols, produces gastroprotective and antioxidant effects. To investigate the gastroprotective effect of D-002 against indomethacin-induced ulcers, oxidative variables and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the rat gastric mucosa were examined. Rats were randomized into six groups: a negative vehicle control and five indomethacin (50 mg/kg) treated groups, comprising a positive control, three groups treated orally with D-002 (5, 25 and 100 mg/kg) and one group with omeprazole 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip). The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl groups (PCG), hydroxyl radical generation and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and MPO enzyme activities in the rat gastric mucosa were assessed. Indomethacin increased the content of MDA and PCG, the generation of *OH radical and MPO enzyme activity, while it decreased the CAT, GSH-PX and SOD activities as compared to the negative controls. D-002 (5-100 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently reduced indomethacin-induced ulceration to 75 %. Also, D-002 decreased the content of MDA and PCG, the generation of hydroxyl radicals and MPO activity as compared to the positive controls. The highest dose of D-002 (100 mg/kg) increased significantly GSH-PX and SOD activities, while all doses used increased CAT activities. Omeprazole 20 mg/kg, the reference drug, reduced significantly the ulcers (93 %), MDA and PCG, the generation of hydroxyl radicals and MPO activity, and increased the CAT, GSH-PX and SOD activities. D-002 treatment produced gastroprotective effects against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration, which can be related to the reduction of hydroxyl radical generation, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and MPO activity, and to the increase of the antioxidant enzymes activities in the rat gastric mucosa.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) by D-005 (A lipid extract of Acrocomia crispa fruits) / [Inhibición de la ciclooxigenasa (COX) y la 5-lipooxigenasa (5-LOX) por el D-005 (extracto lipidico del fruto de la Acrocomia crispa)

This study was aimed to investigate whether the a lipid extract from Acrocomia crispa fruits (D-005) inhibits COX and 5-LOX enzyme activities in vitro. This study demonstrates that D-005 inhibits markedly and in a dose dependent manner COX-2 and 5-LOX activities. The dual inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LOX supports further research on the potential anti-inflammatory effect of D-005.

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar si el extracto lipídico de los frutos de Acrocomia crispa (D-005) inhibe in vitro las actividades de las enzimas COX y 5-LOX. Este estudio demuestra que el D-005 inhibe marcadamente y de manera dosis dependiente las actividades de la COX-2 y 5-LOX. La inhibición dual de la COX-2 y 5-LOX soportan futuras investigaciones sobre el potencial efecto anti-inflamatorio del D-005.

Effects of D-003, a mixture of very long chain saturated fatty acids, and policosanol on in vivo lipid peroxidation in rats.

BACKGROUND: D-003 and policosanol (CAS 557-61-9), specific and distinct mixtures of high molecular weight primary aliphatic acids and alcohols, respectively, have shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation in vivo, but comparative studies between their effects on lipid peroxidation processes had not been conducted before. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of D-003 and policosanol on markers of lipid peroxidation in vivo in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were distributed into 9 groups: a control group treated with acacia gum/water vehicle, 4 with policosanol and 4 with D-003, both treatments at 5, 25, 100 and 250 mg/kg. Treatments were administered during 4 weeks. RESULTS: Both treatments significantly and dose-dependently reduced plasma malondyaldehide (MDA) and total peroxides. Nevertheless, while D-003 was effective from 5 mg/kg, the lowest effective dose of policosanol was 25 mg/kg. The maximal effects of both treatments were obtained with 100 mg/kg, but greater in D-003 than in policosanol group, and the same occurred across all doses tested. MDA concentrations generated with the enzymatic system in liver homogenates were also significantly and dose-dependently inhibited with both treatments. The lowest effective doses of D-003 and policosanol were 5 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, and the highest inhibitions of about 80% (D-003) and 11% (policosanol). D-003 was more effective than policosanol in all comparisons. D-003 was also more effective than policosanol for lowering MDA concentrations generated with the no enzymatic system, but in these conditions policosanol was effective from 25 mg/kg and produced an inhibition somewhat greater (about 29%) than on MDA-generated by the enzymatic system. Both policosanol and D-003 did not modify the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS: D-003 (5-250 mg/kg) orally administered for 4 weeks was more effective than policosanol for lowering all the lipid peroxidation markers assessed, like plasma MDA and total peroxides, and MDA concentrations generated by the enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidant systems of liver homogenates. The inhibitions with D-003 were marked and dose-dependent. Neither D-003 nor policosanol modified the activity of enzymes involved in the endogenic antioxidant defensive system.

In Vitro effect of D-004, a lipid extract of the ground fruits of the Cuban royal palm (Roystonea regia), on rat microsomal lipid peroxidation.

D-004 is a lipid extract of the fruits of the Cuban royal palm (Roystonea regia) containing a mixture of saturated fatty acids. D-004 inhibits prostate hyperplasia (PH) induced with testosterone, in rodents. Since fatty acids inhibit lipid peroxidation (LP), this study investigated whether D-004 prevents in vitro LP. D-004 (0.9-1000 microg/mL) markedly and dose-dependently inhibited in vitro iron-induced LP in native brain and liver microsomes. D-004 showed hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, which could explain partially its antioxidant effect on microsomal iron-induced LP, but it was unable to scavenge superoxide and ABTS radicals, indicating a limited radical scavenging activity. Also, D-004 inhibited CCl4-mediated LP in active liver microsomes through a decreased generation of radical species rather than a radical trapping action on CCl(4)-derived radical species. D-004 also inhibited lipooxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) activities, and the generation of protein-associated carbonyl groups after LP. Since increased oxidative stress has been linked to PH, the antioxidant effect of D-004 shown here could contribute to explaining its beneficial effects on T-induced PH in rodents. Nevertheless, this study shows only in vitro results. Further studies should investigate whether D-004 also exhibits antioxidant effects in vivo.

Ex vivo antioxidant effects of D-004, a lipid extract from Roystonea regia fruits, on rat prostate tissue

To investigate whether oral treatment with D-004, a lipid extract of the Cuban royal palm fruit, produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue of normal and testosterone (T)-treated rats. Methods: In our first experiment, normal rats were distributed into five groups: one group treated with the vehicle and four groups treated with D-004 (100, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg). In our second experiment, rats were randomized into five groups: a negative control group and four T-injected groups. The latter were comprised of a positive control group treated with the vehicle, and three groups treated with D-004 (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg). Results: In normal rats, D-004 (100_800 mg/kg) inhibited significantly and dose-dependently iron-initiated malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation in prostate homogenates (35.7 percent_80.0 percent ) vs. the controls. D-004 (200_800 mg/kg) significantly reduced baseline MDA and carbonyl groups in prostate homogenates of normal rats to approximately 80 percent and 50 percent, respectively, and totally (100 percent) in T-treated rats. Conclusion: Oral treatment with D-004 reduced MDA and carbonyl groups dose-dependently and markedly in normal and T-injected rats. These findings show that D-004 given at doses effective to prevent prostate hyperplasia also produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue. (Asian J Androl 2008 Jul; 10: 659_666)(AU)