Effects of coconut oil on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the benign uncontrolled growth of the prostate gland, leading to difficulty with urination. Saw palmetto lipid extracts (SPLE), used to treat BPH, have been shown to inhibit prostate 5a-reductase, and some major components, such as lauric, myristic and oleic acids also inhibit this enzyme. Coconut oil (CO) is also rich in fatty acids, mainly lauric and myristic acids.

Effect of D-003, a mixture of very-long-chain aliphatic acids purified from sugarcane wax, on cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils.

D-003 is a mixture of very-high-molecular-weight aliphatic acids purified from sugar cane wax (Saccharum officinarum), which inhibits platelet aggregation and lipid peroxidation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of D-003 on cerebral ischemia induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) in Mongolian gerbils. Two experimental series were conducted.

Effect of D-003 on intravascular platelet aggregation induced with collagen in rats.

D-003 is a mixture of higher aliphatic primary acids purified from sugar-cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) wax that inhibits platelet aggregation induced ex vivo by addition of agonists to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) of rats, guinea pigs, and healthy human volunteers. Because the ex vivo platelet aggregation model does not mimic properly platelet aggregation occurring inside the arteries, since all blood factors regulating the formation of a platelet aggregate or thrombus are not present in PRP, this work was undertaken in order to investigate the effects of different oral doses of D-003 on platelet aggregation induced by collagen in vivo in rats.

Therapeutic effect of D-002 (abexol) on gastric ulcer induced experimentally in rats.

D-002 is a mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols isolated from beeswax, wherein triacontanol is the most abundant alcohol, with antioxidant and anti-ulcer properties. Since compounds with cytoprotective and antioxidant effects can improve healing of gastroduodenal ulcer induced by noxious agents, this work investigated the healing effect of D- 002 on acute and chronic gastric ulcers induced with indomethacin and acetic acid, respectively, in rats. Acute gastric ulcer was induced with single oral doses of indomethacin (20 mg/kg).

Comparison of the cholesterol-lowering effects and toxicity of D-003 and lovastatin in normocholesterolaemic rabbits.

Background: D-003 is a mixture of long-chain aliphatic primary acids isolated from sugar-cane wax and having cholesterol-lowering effects and a safety profile that have been proven in animals and in previous clinical studies in healthy volunteers. Lovastatin, the first member of the statin class, is an effective and well tolerated cholesterol-lowering drug. Some lovastatin-related adverse effects have been reported, and preclinical assessment has shown that the rabbit is the most sensitive species to lovastatin toxicity.

Antioxidant Effect of D-002 on Gastric Mucosa of Rats with Experimentally Induced Injury.

D-002 is a natural mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols isolated from beeswax that has antioxidant and antiulcer properties. Because the role of lipid peroxidation in gastric damage is well recognized, this work was designed to investigate the possible effect of D-002 on lipid peroxidation in gastric mucosa in two experimental models of gastric injury in rats: (1) gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin and (2) mucosal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I-R). The results demonstrated a remarkable protective effect of D-002 on lipid peroxidation in gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin and a moderate protective effect of D-002 on gastric erosions and lipid peroxidation induced by I-R.

Protective effects of ketotifen on guinea pig trachea.

We have studied the effects of ketotifen (Ke), an effective antiallergic drug, on guinea pig trachea. Ke (10(-6)-5 X 10(-5) M) inhibits contractions induced in this preparation by acetylcholine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, barium chloride, potassium chloride and electrical stimulation. These results provide evidence for protective effects of Ke in airways.

Further studies on the effects of disodium cromoglycate on guinea pig ileum.

Transmural electrical stimulation was carried out on innervated strips of the longitudinal muscle of guinea pig ileum. Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) inhibited the electrically induced contractions. Five minutes later, prostaglandin E2 (2.