In Vitro effect of D-004, a lipid extract of the ground fruits of the Cuban royal palm (Roystonea regia), on rat microsomal lipid peroxidation.

D-004 is a lipid extract of the fruits of the Cuban royal palm (Roystonea regia) containing a mixture of saturated fatty acids. D-004 inhibits prostate hyperplasia (PH) induced with testosterone, in rodents. Since fatty acids inhibit lipid peroxidation (LP), this study investigated whether D-004 prevents in vitro LP. D-004 (0.9-1000 microg/mL) markedly and dose-dependently inhibited in vitro iron-induced LP in native brain and liver microsomes. D-004 showed hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, which could explain partially its antioxidant effect on microsomal iron-induced LP, but it was unable to scavenge superoxide and ABTS radicals, indicating a limited radical scavenging activity. Also, D-004 inhibited CCl4-mediated LP in active liver microsomes through a decreased generation of radical species rather than a radical trapping action on CCl(4)-derived radical species. D-004 also inhibited lipooxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) activities, and the generation of protein-associated carbonyl groups after LP. Since increased oxidative stress has been linked to PH, the antioxidant effect of D-004 shown here could contribute to explaining its beneficial effects on T-induced PH in rodents. Nevertheless, this study shows only in vitro results. Further studies should investigate whether D-004 also exhibits antioxidant effects in vivo.