EFFECT OF POLICOSANOL ON FOAM-CELL FORMATION IN CARRAGEENAN-INDUCED GRANULOMAS IN RATS

Policosanol is a new cholesterol-lowering drug isolated and purified F rom sugar-cane wax, which prevents the development of lipofundin-induc ed lesions and foam-cell formation in New Zealand rabbits and Wistar r ats. This study was conducted to examine the effects of policosanol on foam-cell formation in carrageenan-induced granulomas in rats. Eighte en Wistar rats were randomly distributed in three experimental groups which received orally for 20 days Tween 20 H2O as vehicle (control gro up) or policosanol at 2.5 or 25 mg kg(-1). At the 11th day, lipofundin was injected intraperitoneally for 8 days to induce formation of foam cells in the granuloma. At day 13, carrageenan was injected subcutane ously for granuloma induction and seven days later animals were killed . A significant reduction of the foam-cell formation in granulomas of policosanol-treated rats was observed. It is concluded that policosano l prevents the development of foam cells in carrageenan-induced granul omas (extravascular medium) in rats.