Anti-inflammatory activity of D-002: an active product isolated from beeswax

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1998 Oct;59(4):235-8. doi: 10.1016/s0952-3278(98)90135-1.

Abstract

D-002 is a natural mixture of high molecular weight alcohols isolated and purified from beeswax, which contains triacontanol among its main components. This study was undertaken to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of D-002 administered by the oral route in two animal models commonly used in the pharmacological screening of anti-inflammatory drugs. D-002 administered orally to rats (100 and 200 mg/kg) produced a mild but significant reduction of exudate volume in carrageenan-induced pleuritic inflammation that was accompanied by a marked and significant decrease of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels in the exudate. D-002 (25, 50 and 200 mg/kg) also significantly diminished the granuloma weight in the cotton pellet granuloma in rats. In both cases, D-002 was less effective than indomethacin, which was used as an established anti-inflammatory reference drug. On the other hand, D-002 administered from 25-1000 mg/kg did not induce erosions or gastromucosal lesions in rats, which differs from results usually obtained with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These results indicate that D-002 is a mild anti-inflammatory agent without any ulcerogenic effect associated. The results suggest that these effects are probably not mediated through an inhibition of cyclooxygenase, but a reduction in LTB4 levels induced by D-002 could explain these results.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carrageenan / pharmacology
  • Fatty Alcohols / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Alcohols / therapeutic use
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
  • Gossypium / metabolism
  • Granuloma / chemically induced
  • Granuloma / drug therapy
  • Indomethacin / pharmacology
  • Indomethacin / therapeutic use
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Pleurisy / chemically induced
  • Pleurisy / drug therapy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Waxes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • D 002
  • Fatty Alcohols
  • Waxes
  • beeswax
  • Carrageenan
  • Indomethacin