Using squalene to develop effective medicines

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Abstract

Squalene is a natural organic compound obtained from various sources, for example, deep-sea shark liver oil, vegetable raw materials and oils. It is contained in the human body, being a precursor for the cholesterol synthesis, as well as in plants, being an intermediate in the synthesis of sterols, which are important for maintaining the cell membranes. Recently, the significant raise of interest in relation to this compound has been shown due to its properties and various ways of utilization in medicine.

This article summarizes the numerous features of squalene, examines the potential manners of using squalene as the component of effective medicines.

One of the main advantages of squalene is its antioxidant properties, which help to protect the cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species, which plays a significant role in the prevention of various diseases, including cardiovascular and oncological ones. In addition, squalene is able to reduce inflammation in the organism because it has an influence on the inflammatory reactions. Its moisturizing properties make it to be a promising component for dermatological medications, squalene is used to treat skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, it helps to alleviate symptoms and restore the protective skin functions. Some studies have examined the potential of squalene as an immunostimulant that helps the organism struggle infections and inflammation more effectively. In addition to this, squalene possesses antibacterial properties, which has been demonstrated by several types of microorganisms in various works.

Nowadays, squalene is commercially used only as an adjuvant for vaccines and as an active component for some cosmetic products, however, the prospects for its use as a substance for antitumor medicines are carefully studied, also squalene can be the constituent of the delivering systems for active substances and it can be considered as an excipient ingredient for increasing bioavailability in preparations for topical and external application.

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About the authors

Yu. A. Koroleva

MIREA — Russian Technological University

Author for correspondence.
Email: jukka.hiden@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8092-1990
SPIN-code: 5517-8014

Post-graduate Student, Department of Biotechnology and Industrial Pharmacy

Russian Federation, Vernadsky Avenue, 78, Moscow, 119454

D. D. Kirillova

MIREA — Russian Technological University; LLC Scientific and Production Enterprise ASTROCYTE

Email: tabletka757@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3055-1116
SPIN-code: 8996-2103

Post-graduate Student, Department of Biotechnology and Industrial Pharmacy

Russian Federation, Vernadsky Avenue, 78, Moscow, 119454; Rogova str., 12, Moscow, ext.ter.g. Shchukino Municipal District, 123098

S. G. Kuvakin

MIREA — Russian Technological University

Email: pharmacevt991@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-4471-3432
Scopus Author ID: 3124-8795

Post-graduate Student, Y.K. Syrkin Department of Physical Chemistry

Russian Federation, Vernadsky Avenue, 78, Moscow, 119454

D. D. Putenikhina

MIREA — Russian Technological University

Email: dasha.putenikhina@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-5269-0385
SPIN-code: 4239-8011

Student, Department of Biotechnology and Industrial Pharmacy

Russian Federation, Vernadsky Avenue, 78, Moscow, 119454

A. V. Nikulin

MIREA — Russian Technological University

Email: alexander_sinus@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0004-2755-2734
SPIN-code: 8611-5567

Associate Professor of the Department of Analytical Chemistry named after I.P. Alimarin

Russian Federation, Vernadsky Avenue, 78, Moscow, 119454

A. I. Gromakova

All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Email: a_gromakova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8984-0724
SPIN-code: 2091-5820

Dr.Sc. (Pharm.), Chief Research Scientist, Scientific and Organizational Department

Russian Federation, Green Street 7 building 1, Moscow, 117216

D. O. Shatalov

MIREA — Russian Technological University

Email: shat-05@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4510-1721
SPIN-code: 3453-9987

Dr.Sc. (Pharm.), Associate Professor of the Department of Biotechnology and Industrial Pharmacy

Russian Federation, Vernadsky Avenue, 78, Moscow, 119454

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2. Fig. 1. Squalene structure types: A – sterol-like form 1; B – sterol-like form 2; B – helical form; G – extended form

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