Vol. 11, Special Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Saranya C, Megha Madhusudhanan, Mery S John, Sanjay BM, Suraj SV, Ranjith D, Suresh Narayanan Nair, Karapparambu Gopalan Ajithkumar, Nisha AR, Reghu Ravindran and Sanis Juliet

Abstract:
Phytol is a component of chlorophyll and is abundantly present in nature. Chemically, it is a diterpene and a branched-chain unsaturated acyclic fatty alcohol. Phytol is converted to phytanic acid and pristanic acid through α-oxidation and β-oxidation respectively. Its significant diverse bioactivities have recently drawn attention for their possible application in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological fields. Phytol had large variety of pharmacological actions and its metabolites had an influence in eliciting these actions. Literature search has revealed that phytol and its metabolites had an antidiabetic action and it can be used for the treatment of metabolism related disorders. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of orally and intravenously administered phytol in healthy rats. Single dose of phytol was given orally and intravenously to separate groups of rats at a dose rate of 250 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg respectively. From the study, it was noted that all the animals were apparently healthy and showed normal ratty behaviour. Phytol as a single oral dose caused a significant increase in the weekly body weight with no significant effect on the feed and water intake. On the contrary, there was an increase in the feed intake of rats with no significant change in the weekly body weight following administration of phytol intravenously. However, administration of phytol through either route did not affect the water intake of rats. The relative organ weights of liver, kidney and small intestine were significantly increased after oral administration. Whereas, the relative organ weight of liver, lung and reproductive organ of rats showed a significant increase following intravenous administration of phytol when compared to that of control rats. Gross pathological lesions were not observed in any of the organs examined. Phytol is safe for therapeutic use by both oral and intravenous routes at the dose administered.