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

D-003 (Saccharum officinarum): The forgotten lipid-lowering agent

Reduction of elevated cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), is essential in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore there is still a large need for new effective drugs, which would be able to essentially reduce LDL-C and in the consequence CV residual risk. D-003 is a mixture of high aliphatic primary acids purified from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) wax. It showed promising hypocholesterolemic effects in both animal and human studies; it significantly lowers both serum total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C, and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In addition, it showed a favorable safety profile. In this review, we evaluated the profile of D-003 as a lipid-lowering agent based on data from available preclinical and clinical studies.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition improves antioxidative defense during experimental hypercholesterolemia

Scientific literature shows that inflammation and oxidative stress contribute in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The oxidative stress is the consequence of an imbalance between the free radical generation and elimination. One source of free oxygen radicals is cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and, therefore, inhibiting the activity of this enzyme is likely to reduce oxidative stress. In the present study an experimental rabbit model of hypercholesterolemia was developed and the effects of COX-2 inhibitors, nimesulide and celecoxib were observed on the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant status (TAS). Rabbits were divided into four groups- control, saline, nimesulide and celecoxib, with all groups fed a high cholesterol diet, which only received saline. Low activities of SOD, GPx and TAS were measured in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits pretreated with saline. In the same group, a reciprocal relationship was observed between the LDL-cholesterol concentration and the plasma activities of GPx, SOD and TAS. Rabbits in nimesulide and celecoxib group showed significantly higher activities of SOD, GPx and TAS in hypercholesterolemic rabbits compared to saline group (p<0.05). Our study shows that selective and timely use of COX-2 inhibitors would be useful in preventing the onset and development of atherosclerosis by enhancing antioxidant defence system.