Eicosane does not have a specific, well-defined biological drug target. Its mechanism of action is not receptor-mediated but rather based on physicochemical interactions with cell membranes and microbial cell walls. It is known to exert its antifungal activity by causing the deformation, collapse, and shrinkage of fungal cells. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities are also thought to contribute to its observed ability to promote wound healing by enhancing epithelialization and collagen synthesis.

In cell-free assays, Eicosane has been shown to possess significant antioxidant activity. This is typically measured using a free radical scavenging assay, such as the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. At a concentration of 100 microg/mL, Eicosane exhibits dose-dependent antioxidant activity, which contributes to its potential as a wound-healing agent.

In cell-based assays, Eicosane has been shown to inhibit the radial growth of major phytopathogenic fungal pathogens. In a "poisoned food" assay, the radial growth of Fusarium oxysporum was inhibited by 24.2%, 33.3%, 42.4%, and 63.6% at concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100 microg/ml, respectively, compared to the control. This demonstrates its potent antifungal activity in a dose-dependent manner.

For a non-cell antioxidant assay, the DPPH radical scavenging activity of Eicosane is measured. A 0.1 mM DPPH solution in methanol is prepared. Varying concentrations of Eicosane (e.g., 25, 50, 100 ug/mL) are mixed with the DPPH solution. The mixture is incubated in the dark at room temperature for 30 minutes. The decrease in absorbance at 517 nm is measured spectrophotometrically. The percentage of scavenging activity is calculated relative to the control (DPPH solution with no compound).

For an in vitro antifungal assay, the broth microdilution method is used. A 96-well plate is prepared with serial dilutions of Eicosane (e.g., 0.1-200 ug/mL) in a growth medium. A standardized fungal spore suspension (e.g., of Fusarium oxysporum) is added to each well. The plate is incubated at 28degC for 48-72 hours. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is read visually as the lowest concentration of compound that completely inhibits visible fungal growth.

No animal studies for Eicosane as a therapeutic agent are available. However, due to its identified bioactive properties, it could be a candidate for future in vivo studies. For instance, a mouse model of dermal wound healing could be used to evaluate its efficacy. Full-thickness excisional wounds are created on the dorsum of mice, and a topical formulation containing Eicosane is applied daily. Wound closure is monitored by measuring the wound area over time, and tissue samples are taken for histological analysis (H&E, Masson's trichrome).

Absorption, Distribution and Excretion
*Arthrobacter nana* KCC B35, isolated from cyanobacterial mats covered with oil-slick sediments along the Arabian Gulf coast, exhibits excellent growth using C10 to C40 n-alkanes as its sole carbon and energy source. Its growth on C20 to C40 alkanes is even superior to that on C10 to C18 alkanes. After co-culturing biomass samples with n-octacosane (C28) or n-nonacosane (C29) for 6 hours, these compounds were the dominant alkanes in the cellular hydrocarbon composition. Even-chain hexadecane (C16) and odd-chain pentadecane (C15) were the second most dominant alkanes in C28 and C29 cultured cells, respectively. Compared to control cells not co-cultured with hydrocarbons, cells cultured in n-hexadecane accumulated a higher proportion of C16 fatty acids in their lipids. On the other hand, no fatty acids with the same chain length were found in C28 and C29 cultured cells, but the fatty acid profiles of the cellular lipids suggest that these ultra-long-chain alkanes may have undergone medium-chain oxidation. This activity makes the *Bacillus nicotineus* KCC B35 suitable for use in formulations for the bioremediation of heavy oil sediment-contaminated environments. Liver, heart, kidney, muscle, and adipose tissue (perilenatal and subcutaneous) were collected from six cattle for hydrocarbon composition analysis. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Despite varying proportions, a range of n-alkanes with carbon chain lengths ranging from n-C12 to n-C31 were found in all samples. Additionally, isoprene hydrocarbons phytane and phyene (phytane-1 and phyene-2) were identified. (These findings are relevant to human health from consuming hydrocarbon-contaminated meat.) /n-Alkanes/

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Pharmacokinetic data for Eicosane is not available as it is not used as a drug. As a long-chain alkane, it is highly hydrophobic and virtually insoluble in water. It is considered non-biodegradable and can accumulate in adipose tissue if absorbed. For research use, it is stored as a solid at 4degC or room temperature.

Toxicity Summary
Identification and Uses: Eicosane is a solid n-alkane containing 20 carbon atoms (C20). It is used in cosmetics, lubricants, and plasticizers. Solid n-alkanes (paraffin) can also be used as feedstocks for the cracking of gasoline blending components, oxidation, and chlorination reactions. Recently, it has been reported that n-alkanes are a major component of diesel exhaust nanoparticles. Human Exposure and Toxicity: No relevant data are currently available. Animal Studies: Adding different amounts of eicosane to lung surfactant in mice increased the surface compressibility coefficient at 30 mN/m during the second compression, suggesting that the deposition of alkane-rich nanoparticles on lung surfactant may be related to the dysregulation of surfactant activity during respiration. To investigate the mechanism of cumulative stimulation, researchers conducted a structure-activity relationship study of pure n-alkanes in a mouse ear edema model. Alkanes were applied twice daily for four days. The activity of hexadecane, octadecane, and eicosane gradually decreased.

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Eicosane has low acute toxicity. It is considered a mild skin and eye irritant. It is not classified as a carcinogen or a reproductive toxin. Standard laboratory safety practices should be followed when handling the compound.

Eicosane is a colorless crystal or a white crystalline solid. (NTP, 1992)
Eicosane is a straight-chain alkane consisting of 20 carbon atoms. It has been isolated from the leaves of agave (Agave attenuata). It is a plant metabolite.
Eicosane has been reported to exist in vanilla madagascariensis, Gymnodinium nagasakiense, and several other organisms for which relevant data exist.

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Eicosane is a research chemical and is not an FDA-approved drug. It has no approved clinical use as a therapeutic agent. It is a valuable analytical standard for GC-MS and a reference compound in materials science. Its well-documented antifungal and wound-healing properties make it a subject of interest for the development of new antimicrobial agents and dermatological treatments.

282.329

112-95-8

8222

White to off-white solid powder

0.8±0.1 g/cm3

343.4±5.0 °C at 760 mmHg

98.1 °F (NTP, 1992) ; 36.48 °C

186.5±7.2 °C

0.0±0.4 mmHg at 25°C

1.441

11.38

0

17

20

132

0

CBFCDTFDPHXCNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI=1S/C20H42/c1-3-5-7-9-11-13-15-17-19-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2/h3-20H2,1-2H3

icosane

Eicosane

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

May dissolve in DMSO (in most cases), if not, try other solvents such as H2O, Ethanol, or DMF with a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples

Note: Listed below are some common formulations that may be used to formulate products with low water solubility (e.g. < 1 mg/mL), you may test these formulations using a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples.

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Injection Formulation 1: DMSO : Tween 80： Saline = 10 : 5 : 85 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO stock solution → 50 μL Tween 80 → 850 μL Saline)
*Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH ₂ O to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 2: DMSO : PEG300 ：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 3: DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL Corn oil)
Example: Take the Injection Formulation 3 (DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90) as an example, if 1 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can take 100 μL 25 mg/mL DMSO stock solution and add to 900 μL corn oil, mix well to obtain a clear or suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Injection Formulation 4: DMSO : 20% SBE-β-CD in saline = 10 : 90 [i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL (20% SBE-β-CD in saline)]
*Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 5: 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin : Saline = 50 : 50 (i.e. 500 μL 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin → 500 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 6: DMSO : PEG300 : castor oil : Saline = 5 : 10 : 20 : 65 (i.e. 50 μL DMSO → 100 μLPEG300 → 200 μL castor oil → 650 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 7: Ethanol : Cremophor : Saline = 10： 10 : 80 (i.e. 100 μL Ethanol → 100 μL Cremophor → 800 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 8: Dissolve in Cremophor/Ethanol (50 : 50), then diluted by Saline
Injection Formulation 9: EtOH : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 900 μL Corn oil)
Injection Formulation 10: EtOH : PEG300：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)

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Oral Formulation 1: Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na (carboxymethylcellulose sodium)
Oral Formulation 2: Suspend in 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Example: Take the Oral Formulation 1 (Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na) as an example, if 100 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can first prepare 0.5% CMC Na solution by measuring 0.5 g CMC Na and dissolve it in 100 mL ddH2O to obtain a clear solution; then add 250 mg of the product to 100 mL 0.5% CMC Na solution, to make the suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Oral Formulation 3: Dissolved in PEG400
Oral Formulation 4: Suspend in 0.2% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 5: Dissolve in 0.25% Tween 80 and 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 6: Mixing with food powders

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Note: Please be aware that the above formulations are for reference only. InvivoChem strongly recommends customers to read literature methods/protocols carefully before determining which formulation you should use for in vivo studies, as different compounds have different solubility properties and have to be formulated differently.

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 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)