EFFECT OF POLICOSANOL ON ISOPRENALINE-INDUCED MYOCARDIAL NECROSIS IN RATS

Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols isolated from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and octacosanol represents its main component. This study was conducted to examine the effects o f policosanol on myocardial necrosis induced by subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline in rats. A significant reduction (P<0.01) of infarct size, polymorphonuclear cells and mast cells was observed in animals t reated with policosanol at 5 or 25 mg kg(-1), while animals receiving only acetysalicylic acid pretreatment showed a significant decrease in the infarct area (P<0.05). No significant differences in polymorphonu clear and mast cells were obtained when compared with positive control data. It is concluded that policosanol delays the evolution of infarc tion, showing a protective effect on the myocardial necrosis induced b y isoprenaline in this experimental model.