Current Insights into the Biological Action of Squalene

Abstract

Squalene is a triterpenic compound found in a large number of plants and other sources with a long tradition of research since it was first reported in 1926. Herein a systematic review of studies concerning squalene published in the last 8 years is presented. These studies have provided further support for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherosclerotic properties in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, an antineoplastic effect in nutrigenetic-type treatments, which depends on the failing metabolic pathway of tumors, has also been reported. The bioavailability of squalene in cell cultures, animal models, and in humans has been well established, and further progress has been made in regard to the intracellular transport of this lipophilic molecule. Squalene accumulates in the liver and decreases hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides, with these actions being exerted via a complex network of changes in gene expression at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Its presence in different biological fluids has also been studied. The combination of squalene with other bioactive compounds has been shown to enhance its pleiotropic properties and might lead to the formulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals to control oxidative stress and, therefore, numerous age-related diseases in human and veterinary medicine.

Chemical and Sensory Profiling of Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils from the Italian Marche Region

“…Squalene is a triterpene having several beneficial properties and is found in a relatively high amount of olive oil [36]. Its content has been reported to depend markedly on the olive cultivar [37].…”

Evaluation of squalene oxidation mechanisms in human skin surface lipids and shark liver oil supplements

“…Squalene is contained in various foods, such as SLO supplements and olive oil, and intake of squalene from food sources has been suggested to provide various physiological benefits . However, as in the case of SSLs, squalene in foods is also susceptible to oxidation, and squalene oxidation in foods may lead to the loss of nutritional benefits.…”

“…Besides human SSLs, the richest known natural source of squalene is shark liver oil (SLO) (consisting of about 50–80% squalene), which has been used traditionally as folk medicine in addition to being consumed today in the form of dietary supplements . Hence, the health benefits of squalene have been investigated thoroughly, most notably for its preventive effect against various types of cancer . It has also been suggested that the high intake of squalene through olive oil (which is known to contain around 500 mg squalene/kg oil) is partially responsible for the low incidence of cardiovascular disease in the Mediterranean region .…”

Extract of Albizia kalkora leaves

“…The FT-IR, GC-MS, Py-GC-MS, TD-GC-MS, TGA and other analytical and detection technologies were used to analyze and detect the components of the samples. Through testing, it was found that the leaves of Albizia kalkoratree contain a large number of chemical components, such as squalene [4][5][6], Adrenaline I [7], Phytol, 9-Octadecenamide, and (Z)-, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-, which can be used as pharmaceutical ingredients, solvents, and raw materials for daily necessities, expanding the utilization value of the Albizia kalkoratree.…”