Description

• General description: Squalene is a hydrocarbon containing double bond commonly found in shark liver oil. It is also present in vegetable oils but to a lesser extent.[1]
• Application: Squalene has been used:as a standard for lipid identification and quantification[2]in the isolation of macrophages for parasite incubation[3]as a standard for the quantification of squalene in squalene analysis of oil samples[4]
• Biochem/physiol Actions: Squalene is a biosynthetic precursor to all steroids. It acts as a cytoprotective agent to normal cells exposed to carcinogens and antitumor agents. Squalene helps in equalizing the blood cholesterol levels. It increases the production of HDL (high density lipoprotein) and the excretion of LDL (low density lipoprotein). This helps in reducing the risk of heart disease and protects the less stable body fats from oxidation. It is also used in treating hypercholesterolemia. Squalene is known to improve the efficiency of cholesterol lowering drugs. It also serves as an antioxidant by preventing the effects of free radical. It protects skin from drying and other environmental conditions such as oxidation, ultraviolet rays and pollutants. Squalene is known to promote wound healing.[5]