An update on the therapeutic role of alkylglycerols.
Scandinavian folk medicine used shark liver oil for the treatment of cancers and other ailments based on the rarity of tumors in sharks and their ability to resist infections. Shark liver oil is a source of alkylglycerols which have been studied as anti-cancer agents in several clinical trials. Moreover, alkylglycerols have been investigated for the treatment of radiation induced side effects and for their ability to boost the immune system. Several experimental studies have shown the ability of alkylglycerols to open the blood brain barrier to facilitate the access of therapeutic drugs to the central nervous system. This review covers the most important studies of alkylglycerols in both animals and humans.
Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. tommaso.iannitti@gmail.com
Tommaso
T
Iannitti
Beniamino
B
Palmieri
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005995:Glyceryl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D012754:Sharks; D013185:Squalene / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005395:Fish Oils; D005995:Glyceryl Ethers; D013185:Squalene; D005990:Glycerol