Efficacy and tolerability of lipid extract (D-004) and terazosin in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: a 6-month study.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common urological disease in aging men, frequently produces lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Clinical studies have shown that terazosin relaxes the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder, facilitates bladder emptying, improves LUTS, increases maximum urinary flow, and reduces the residual volume of urine. D-004, a lipid extract of the fruit of the Cuban royal palm (), presents a similar efficacy to Saw palmetto.

Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of chondroitin plus glucosamine and D-002 (beeswax alcohols) in subjects with osteoarthritis symptoms.

Background/aims: Osteoarthritis (OA), the commonest joint disorder, is a leading cause of disability. Symptomatic slow-acting drugs for OA (SYSADOA), particularly glucosamine plus chondroitin sulphate (GS/CS), are effective for symptom relief, protect joint cartilage and delay OA progression, with a good safety profile. D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols that inhibits both cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase activities, has been effective in experimental and clinical OA studies, showing also a chondroprotective effect.

Effects of a Combined Therapy With D-002 (Beeswax Alcohols) Plus D-003 (Sugarcane Wax Acids) on Osteoarthritis Symptoms.

Context • Nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs effectively relieve osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms but also induce adverse effects (AEs) that limit their long-term use, which drives a search for safer treatments. D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols, and D-003, a mixture of sugarcane wax acids, have been effective in experimental and clinical studies for patients with OA. Objective • The study intended to investigate the effects on OA symptoms of a combined therapy using D-002 and D-003 (D-002/D-003), which were administered for 6 wk.

Evaluation of the effect of D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols, on osteoarthritis symptoms.

Background/aims: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms but cause adverse effects. D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols, is effective against experimental OA. A pilot study found that D-002 (50 mg/day) for 8 weeks improves OA symptoms.

Effects of D-002, a mixture of high molecular weight beeswax alcohols, on patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background/aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is intimately related to insulin resistance and ranges from a benign course to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. NAFLD management mainly involves dietary modification and weight loss. Although no fully successful pharmacological intervention is available, alternative therapies to treat NAFLD have shown promising results.

Effects of D-003 (10 mg/day) on bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blinded study.

Background/aims: Increased osteoclast activity is a pivotal finding in osteoporosis. This increase is mediated via the mevalonate-to-cholesterol pathway, which is involved in producing the intermediates required for osteoclast activity. D-003, a mixture of high molecular weight sugarcane wax acids, has been shown to inhibit cholesterol synthesis prior to mevalonate production, resulting in a reduction of bone loss and resorption in ovariectomized rats.

Antioxidant effects of D-004, a lipid extract from the Roystonea regia fruit, on the plasma of healthy men.

The aim of this study was to conduct a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of D-004, a lipid extract of the Roystonea regia fruit that prevents testosterone- and phenylepinephrine-induced prostate hyperplasia in rodents, on plasma oxidative markers in healthy men. We enrolled male volunteers (20-55 years) in good health and without lower urinary tract symptoms. Thirty-four eligible participants were randomized to placebo or D-004 (320 mg) capsules administered daily for 6 weeks.

Effects of policosanol (10 mg/d) versus aspirin (100 mg/d) in patients with intermittent claudication: a 10-week, randomized, comparative study.

Antiplatelet therapy, including aspirin, is recommended to lower the vascular risk in patients with intermittent claudication. Policosanol has increased walking distances in these patients, probably because of its antiplatelet effects, but the effect of shorter treatment has not been studied. This double-blind study compared the effects of policosanol 10 mg/d and aspirin 100 mg/d for 10 weeks on walking distances in claudicants.

Effects of D-003 on the Lipid Profile of Patients with Type II Hypercholesterolaemia : A Phase II Clinical Study.

Background: D-003 is a cholesterol-lowering agent that is isolated and purified from sugarcane wax and has concomitant antiplatelet effects.

Objective: To evaluate lipid profile responses to different doses of D-003 in patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia.

Study Design: An 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical study.

Comparison of the effects of policosanol and atorvastatin on lipid profile and platelet aggregation in patients with dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolaemia increase the risk for coronary heart disease, with type 2 diabetes mellitus being the most prevalent form of diabetes, frequently accompanied by dyslipidaemia. The main goal of dyslipidaemia control in nondiabetic and diabetic patients is to lower elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug, purified from sugarcane wax, with a therapeutic range of 5-20 mg/day, which significantly reduces LDL-C levels.

Effects of combination treatment with policosanol and omega-3 fatty acids on platelet aggregation: A randomized, double-blind clinical study.

Background: Policosanol is a mixture of long-chain primary aliphatic alcoholspurified from sugar cane wax that has cholesterol lowering and antiplatelet effects. Omega-3 fatty acids (FA) have triglyceride lowering and antiplatelet effects. Combination treatment with policosanol and omega-3 FA (Ω23FA) has been associated with significant inhibition of platelet aggregation in rabbits compared with either drug alone.

A pharmacological surveillance study of the tolerability of policosanol in the elderly population.

Background: Policosanol is a drug derived from sugar cane wax that has cholesterol-lowering and antiplatelet properties. Randomized, controlled studies are the gold standard for demonstrating drug efficacy, safety, and tolerability, but postmarketing surveillance studies are encouraged for corroborating drug effects. A valid proof of the safety of a drug is a well-documented, good tolerability profile in older individuals, since this population is more prone to drug-related adverse events (AEs).

Effects of D-002, a product isolated from beeswax, on gastric symptoms of patients with osteoarthritis treated with piroxicam: a pilot study.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are indicated for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, but often induce gastric adverse experiences (AE), including gastric ulcers and complications. Inhibitors of proton pump and H(2) antagonists are very effective for duodenal ulcer; meanwhile, cytoprotective drugs are more effective for gastric ulcer. D-002 is a mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols obtained from beeswax, wherein triacontanol is the most abundant.

Effects of policosanol and ticlopidine in patients with intermittent claudication: a double-blinded pilot comparative study.

Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug with concomitant antiplatelet effects. The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of policosanol and ticlopidine in patients with moderately severe intermittent claudication (IC). The study had a 4-week baseline step, followed by a 20-week double-blinded, randomized treatment period.

Effects of policosanol on borderline to mildly elevated serum total cholesterol levels: a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, comparative study.

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Clinical studies have shown that lowering elevated serum cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), is beneficial for patients with borderline to mildly elevated serum total cholesterol (TC) levels (5.0-6.

Effects of policosanol and lovastatin in patients with intermittent claudication: a double-blind comparative pilot study.

Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug with concomitant antiplatelet effects. The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of policosanol and lovastatin on patients with moderately severe intermittent claudication. The study had a 4-week baseline step, followed by a 20-week double blinded, randomized treatment period.

Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia.

Background: Hypercholesterolaemia is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Clinical studies have shown that lowering elevated serum total cholesterol (TC) levels, and particularly low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, reduces the frequency of coronary morbidity and deaths, whereas high serum levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) protect against CHD. Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug purified from sugar cane wax with a therapeutic dosage range from 5-20 mg/day.

Assessment of the effects of D-003, a new antiplatelet and lipid-lowering compound, in healthy volunteers. A phase I clinical study.

Objective: To investigate the effects of D-003 on the bleeding time (BT) and lipid profile of healthy human volunteers.

Methods: This single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in healthy volunteers. Step 1 investigated the effects of single doses of D-003 5, 25 or 50 mg on BT in comparison with placebo.

Effects of policosanol on older patients with hypertension and type II hypercholesterolaemia.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of policosanol administered for 12 months on the lipid profile of older patients with hypertension and type II hypercholesterolaemia and no history of coronary heart disease (CHD) or cerebrovascular disease.

Patients And Participants: 589 older male and female patients with hypertension and type II hypercholesterolaemia and no history of CHD or cerebrovascular disease were included.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in parallel groups treated with policosanol (5 to 10 mg/day) for 1 year.