Biomedical applications of chromatographic fraction containing trehalose dimycolate in squalane emulsion.

Trehalose dimycolate extracted from mycobacteria is a potent immunomodulator. Incorporation of trehalose dimycolate in a squalane-in-water emulsion leads predominantly to the formation of vesicular structures, which are observable by electron microscopy. The interaction between vesicles of trehalose dimycolate and the immunocompetent cells results in an enhancement of the host defence mechanisms and induction of non-specific resistance against viral, parasitic, and bacterial pathogens and certain tumors. A brief review of the pertinent observations is presented.