The ISOLATION FROM WHEAT GERM OIL OF AN ALCOHOL, Α-Tocopherol, HAVING THE PROPERTIES OF VITAMIN E

Abstract

We have prepared from the non‐saponifiable matter of wheat germ oil thress aflophanates: 1. M.p. 250°. This is a possibly the allophante of β‐amyrin. The alcohol regenrated from the allopohante has no vitamin E potency. 2. M.p. 138°, readily crystallizing in long needles. The analysis agree with values required by monollophantes of an alcohol, C39H50O2. The alcohol from this allophante apparenelly has some vitamin E potency, but less than that from the third allophanate. 3. M.p. 158‐160°. From this allophanate, the alcohol—for which we propose the name α‐tocopherol—when given in a single dose of 3 mg. always enables vitamin E‐deficient rats to bear young. α‐Tocopherol shows a characteristic absoption band at 2980 Å., E1 per cent1 cm. = 90 ca. Treatment with methyl alcoholic silver nitrate converts it to a substance which has absorption bands at 2710 and 2620 Å respectively, E1 per centcm. = 480 ca., and possesses and some vitamin E activity. α‐Tocopherol yields a crystaline p‐nitrophenylurethane melting at 120‐131°. Analyses of both the urethane and the allophanate indicate a provisional formula for α‐tocopherol of C29H50O2

Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species in Steatotic Hepatocytes: A Molecular Perspective on the Pathophysiology of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Fatty Liver

“…The major free radical scavengers in the lipid compartment are a-tocopherol (44) and ubiquinol (also referred to as coenzyme Q10 [UQH 2 ]); the reduced form of ubiquinone (UQ), which is also a component of the ETC (43) (Fig. 5).…”

Vitamin Deficiencies in Humans: Can Plant Science Help?

“…Tocopherols and tocotrienols can occur as four differentially methylated species (a, b, g, and d), and while all are excellent lipid soluble antioxidants, they differ dramatically in their vitamin E activity in vivo, with a-tocopherol having the highest activity on a molar basis. Since their first isolation from wheat germ oil (Evans et al, 1936), tocochromanols have been recognized as an important component of the human body's defense against oxidative damage through their quenching of polyunsaturated free radicals, thus breaking the chain reaction of lipid peroxidation. Novel functions of vitamin E have also been reported, such as influences on enzyme activities, signaling cascades, and gene regulation, although the molecular mechanism(s) in vivo has not been elucidated (Azzi, 2007;Traber and Atkinson, 2007;BrigeliusFlohé , 2009).…”

Evaluation of the Ameliorative Properties of Alpha Tocopherol on Cisplatin Treated Adult Male Wistar Rats “Its Heamatologic Parameters and Repair Mechanism”

“…However, it exhibits certain toxic effects on the kidneys and liver which interfere with its therapeutic efficiency [22]. Some antioxidants may prevent these toxic effects [18] [19].…”

“…All feature a chromane ring, with a hydroxyl group that can donate a hydrogen atom to reduce free radicals and a hydrophobic side chain which allows for penetration into biological membranes [24] Both the tocopherols and tocotrienols occur in α (alpha), β (beta), γ (gamma) and δ (delta) forms, determined by the number and position of methyl groups on the chromanol ring [22].…”