Description – Policosanol is the generic term for a mixture of long chain alcohols extracted from plant waxes. It is used as a dietary supplement. Policosanol was originally derived from sugar cane but the chemicals can also be isolated from beeswax, cereal grains, grasses, leaves, fruits, nuts, and seeds of many foods.
Application – Policosanol may be effective in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia by inhibiting hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis, enhancing LDL catabolism and increasing high density lipoprotein levels in serum. These aliphatic alcohols have also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.