Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Mery S John, Saranya C, Megha Madhusudhanan, Sanjay BM, Suraj SV, Ranjith D, Suresh Narayanan Nair, Pradeep, M, Karapparambu Gopalan Ajithkumar, Nisha AR, Reghu Ravindran and Sanis Juliet

Abstract:
Phytol is a diterpene member of the long-chain unsaturated acyclic alcohols and is a constituent of the chlorophyll molecule. Phytol and its derivatives, including phytanic acid, exert a wide range of biological effects. Phytol is a valuable essential oil component used for fragrance and it is a potential candidate for a broad range of applications in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry. There is ample evidence that phytanic acid may play a crucial role in the development of pathophysiological states. The two important metabolites of phytol are phytanic acid and pristanic acid. The main sources of phytanic acid in humans are dairy products and ruminant meat. Phytanic acid formed in the rumen is absorbed into adipose tissue and milk of ruminant. The literature search revealed that phytanic acid plays a possible role in the management of insulin resistance by increasing glucose uptake in hepatocytes without strongly promoting adipogenic differentiation. Besides, phytanic acid in a dose-dependent manner cause changes in various pathways in numerous cell types including pathways involved in carcinogenesis. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of repeated administration of phytol in healthy rats. Phytol, suspended in one percent carboxy methyl cellulose was administered orally for seven consecutive days once daily at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg to the test group. All the animals under study showed normal behaviour and were healthy throughout the experiment. Phytol caused no significant increase in body weight. However, a significant decrease in the feed was noted on day three and an increase in water intake on day one. Gross pathological lesions were not observed in any of the organs examined.