Policosanol (plant extract)

General 

Policosanol is a mixture of primary long-chain aliphatic(non-ring) alcohols. The main ingredient in policosanol is octacosnaol, but as the name implies, Sometimes, a little amount of individual alcohol like Heptacossanol and Nonocosanol exists in waxes. But in general, effective components can be analyzed including Tetracosanol, Hexacosanol and Dotriacontanol.Policosanol is a group of active compounds composed of predominantly five higher primary aliphatic alcohols-tetracosanol, hexacosanol, octacosanol, triacontanol and dotriacontanol.

Source: Sugar can wax

policosanol is actually a mixture of many(hence the prefix ¡°poli¡±) alcohols, including hexacosanol, triacontanol and others. Policosanol is refined from the form of waxes that are prevalent throughout nature. Sources used in dietary supplement industry include sugar cane, rice bran, beeswax, broccoli, spinach, alfalfa and oats.

Specification

OCTA-90(C₂₈alcohol¡90%)

OCTA-60(C₂₈alcohol¡60%)

OCTA-50(C₂₈alcohol¡50%)

OCTA-25(C₂₈alcohol¡25%)

OCTA-12(C₂₈alcohol¡12%)

Brief 

Policosanol, a natural compound derived from sugar cane wax, has shown promising results in clinical studies(primarily performed in Cuba) and is well tolerated. Since it is derived from a food source, policosanol is classified as a nutraceutical, or natural product. Commercial products are derived from a variety of different sources(sugar cane wax,rice bran wax,beeswax),but it is important to note that the sugar cane wax derivative was used in the Cuban studies.

Though octacosanol has been shown to individually reduce cholesterol and triglyceride, there is no doubt that the blend of the alphatic spectrum,as found in sugar,rice and beeswax, is superior to an isolated aliphatic alcohol. In policosanol from various sources, content of aliphatic alcohol and ratio are different. Therefore, it it sure that the treatment effects of policosanol from different sources are not the same.for example,some published studies from Cuba suggest that beeswax products may be useful for the ulcers treatment, but not for reducing cholesterol or treating intermittent claudication.

Studies now show that at least cintents of octacosanol, docosanol and triacontanol are different in policosanol from sugar, rice and beeswax.

Alphatic cohols Food sources	Octacosanol	Docosanol	Triacontanol
Sugar Cane wax	60-70%	Little or no	10-15%
Rice Bran wax	17.5%	6%	26%
Beeswax	17.5%	Little or no	26%

Benefits 

Effects of policosanol supplementation have been proven by studies of humans and animals. 

•  Effective LDL reduction
•  Inreases HDL levels
•  Amelioration of coronary heart disease
• Increases utilization (hence elimination) of visceral fat
• Improves muscle endurance
• Help intermittent claudication

  Claims as following that have been made for policosanol are debatable. 

•  Improves sexual activity and libido
•  Increases production of sex hormones
• Improves physical strength and muscle reflexes
•  Prevention of muscle spasms

¡¡RReduces lipid peroxidation (rancidity)

•  Improves resistance to stress
•  Raising of basal metabolism
• Increases hypotensive (blood-pressure-lowering) effect of beta-blockers
•  protection of endothelial (blood vessel) cells

Our manufacture 

In practice, we adopt the supercritical co₂ extraction for the production of policosanol from sugarcane. Little solvent and advantages of the technology itself make it possible to protect the effective constituents. So, the ultimate protection of various effective constituents and the minimum solvent residue make the greatest particularities of our company.

Pharmacology 

Different with other lipid reducing drugs such as Lovastation, policosanol inhibits the cholesterol biosynthesis during the consumption of acetic acid and occurrence of mevalonic acid, but not to carry out the direct inhibition to HMG-CoA, the key enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis.

Policosanol has demonstrated potent effect on reducing the lipid peroxidation in the serum, specially on inhibiting lipid peroxidation induced by CCL₄ in rat's liver microsome, sa well as the oxidation of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and lipid peroxidation of rat lipoprotein caused by Cu²⁺, thus, it can bring potential accessorial therapeutic benefit to atherosclerotic damages.

Blood vessel endothelial tonic function also goes to policosanol. It lowers endothelial counts in the serum of spontaneous hypertensive rats with endothelial damages induced by citrate, and rabbit such damages caused by operation instruments.

Safety 

Policosanol appears to be safe. LD₅₀ q 5000mg/Kg (oral administration in rats). No obvious side effects were observed in most studies, which are theoretically possible to occur in the case of being allergic with sygarcane.

In addition, because policosanol can thin the blood at least as much as aspirin, those taking blood thinners (Coumadin,Warfarin) or anti-platelet medications (Heparin) should consult with their healthcare provide prior to taking policosanol

Determination of Octacosanol in Sugarcane Wax P.E.

1.Chromatography conditions

Column:2.5% OV-17 + 2.5% SE-30, Coated on Chromosorb WAWDMCS (80«100MESH), 3m"3mm
Detector: FID	Injection volume: 2L
Sensitivity: 101	Injector temperature:310
Carrier(N2): 180Kpa	Detector temperature:320
H:65Kpa	Column temperature: 300
Air:40Kpa

2.olution preparation 

preparation of standard solution

Accurately weight about 20mg octacosanol reference into 10ml volumetric flask, and add chloroform, then sonicate to dissolve and dilute to volume.

Preparation of test solution

Accurately weigh moderate sample into 10ml volumetric flask, add about 8ml chloroform and sonicate to extract for 5min at 50¡¢, then cool to room temperature, Dilute to volume with chloroform to calibrate, and shake fully to obtain the test solution.

3. Determination of sample content 

Under above chromatographic conditions, conduct the determination at the stability of apparatus and baseline. The retention time of octacosanol is about 11min. calculate the content with external standard method.

Certificate of Analysis-Policosanol

Source: Sugar cane wax

ANALYSIS ITEM	SPECIFICATION	WETHOD
Appearance	White fine powder	Visual
Solubility	Soluble in hot Chloroform	/
	Petroleum Ether,Ethanol
	Acetone,Ethyl ether,Benzene,
	Toluene.Not soluble in water
Loss on Drying	<=1.0%	105./3hrs
Residue on lgnition	<=1.0%	750./5hrs
Melting point	80.0¡«82.0¡¢	CP2000
Heavy Metal	+10ppm	AAS
Total Plate Count	+1000cfu.g	CP2000
Yeast&Mold	+100cfu/g	CP2000
E.Coil	Negative	CP2000
Salmonella	Negative	CP2000
Assay
Total content of higher
Aliphatic primary alcohols	>=90.0%	GC
1-Tetracosanol	0.1¡«1.0%	GC
1-Hexacosanol	3.0¡«10.0%	GC
1-Octacosanol	60.0¡«70.0%	GC
1-Triacontanol	5.0¡«15.0%	GC
1-Dotriacontanol	0.1¡«10.0%	GC
1-Totriacontanol	0.1¡«5.0%	GC