Policosanol (Reduchole22®) improves lipid profiles in HepG2 hepatocytes and Caco-2 enterocytes

Lipid metabolism disorders such as hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia collectively characterize dyslipidemia, a condition marked by an imbalance in blood lipid levels and impaired lipid homeostasis. Policosanol, a mixture of long-chain alcohols derived from sugarcane, has been reported to improve lipid metabolism, but its cellular mechanisms remain underexplored. This study investigated the effects of policosanol (Reduchole22®) extracted using ethanol on lipid metabolism in HepG2 hepatocytes and Caco-2 enterocytes. The data were compared with atorvastatin, a widely used hyperlipidemia drug. Compared to the control group, 250-500 μg/mL of policosanol significantly reduced intracellular cholesterol and lipid accumulation via downregulating SREBP, ACAT, and APOB and upregulating LDL-receptor, ABCA1, and APOA1 in HepG2 cells. In addition, treatment of policosanol (250-500 μg/mL) markedly inhibited HMG-CoA reductase and ACAT2 expression, leading to decreased cholesterol and total lipid accumulation in Caco-2 cells. Moreover, policosanol suppressed H2O2-induced LDL oxidation in HepG2 cells, resulting in potential activity in preventing dyslipidemia. These findings suggest that policosanol (Reduchole22®) mediates cholesterol metabolism through mechanisms similar to atorvastatin. Moreover, it could be applied as a functional food ingredient for hyperlipidemia management in endogenous and exogenous cholesterol metabolism, providing a beneficial alternative in the food industry.