Effect of policosanol on cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils: role of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2.

Policosanol is a mixture of higher primary aliphatic alcohols, isolated from sugar cane wax, whose main component is octacosanol. Policosanol (25, 50 and 200 mg/kg) administered by the oral route not only significantly reduced serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) levels but also, at 200 mg/kg significantly increased 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in Mongolian gerbils. Policosanol at 200 mg/kg significantly protected against cerebral ischemia induced by unilateral ligation of common carotid artery in Mongolian gerbils. In this experimental model, combined administration of ineffective doses of policosanol (25 mg/kg) and aspirin (ASA) (30 mg/kg) significantly protected animals indicating a synergism between them.