3399. n-Docosanol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 661-19-8
1-Docosanol; behenic alcohol; behenyl alcohol; docosyl alcohol; Abreva (GSK); Lidakol (Avanir).
C22H46O; mol wt 326.60.
C 80.90%, H 14.20%, O 4.90%.
H3C(CH2)21OH.

Description and references

Naturally occurring alcohol; active principal of Pygeum africanum extract, q.v., that has been used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Prepn: R. Willst"atter, E. W. Mayer, Ber. 41, 1475 (1908); P. A. Levene, F. A. Taylor, J. Biol. Chem. 59, 905 (1924). Surface thermodynamic properties: S. Pathak, S. S. Katti, J. Chem. Eng. Data 14, 359 (1969). GC-MS determn in Pygeum africanum extract: N. Pierini et al., Boll. Chim. Farm. 121, 27 (1982). Antiviral activity: D. H Katz et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 724, 472 (1994). Study of mechanism of action in BPH: J. Müntzing et al., Invest. Urol. 17, 176 (1979); vs herpes simplex virus: L. E. Pope et al., Antiviral Res. 40, 85 (1998). Clinical evaluation in recurrent herpes labialis: L. Habbema et al., Acta Derm. Venereol. 76, 479 (1996).

Properties

mp 70.5-71.5°. bp22mm 180°. d75 0.8063 g/ml; d85 0.7986 g/ml; d95 0.7911 g/ml. Surface tension (dyne/cm): 21.82 (75°); 21.17 (85°); 20.53 (95°). n75 1.4360.

Therapeutic Category

Antiviral (topical).

Keywords

Antiviral