Phytanic acid, an inconclusive phytol metabolite: A review

Abstract

Phytanic acid (PA: 3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid) is an important biometabolite of the chlorophyll-derived diterpenoid phytol. Its biological sources (occurrence) and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) profile are well-discussed in the literature. Cumulative literature suggests that PA has beneficial as well as harmful biological roles in humans and other animals. This study aimed to sketch a brief summary of PA's beneficial and harmful pharmacological effects in test systems on the basis of existing literature reports. Literature findings propose that PA has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anticancer, and oocyte maturation effects. Although a high plasma PA-level mediated SLS remains controversial, it is evident to link it with Refsum's disease and other peroxisomal enzyme deficiency diseases in humans, including RCDP and LD; ZHDA and Alzheimer's disease; progressive ataxia and dysarthria; and an increased risk of some lymphomas such as LBL, FL, and NHL. PA exerts toxic effects on different kinds of cells, including neuronal, cardiac, and renal cells, through diverse pathways such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial disturbance, apoptosis, disruption of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity, Ca²⁺ homeostasis, alteration of AChE and MAO activities, etc. PA is considered a cardiac biomarker in humans. In conclusion, PA may be one of the most important biometabolites in humans.

Keywords: Biological effects; Phytanic acid; Toxicological effects.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Chemical structure of phytanic acid.

Fig. 2

Possible mechanism of action of phytanic acid on different peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. [↑: increase/upregulated; ↓: Decrease/downregulated; PA: Phytanic acid; RXR: Retinoid X receptor; NF-κB: Nuclear factor kappa B]. (Decara et al., 2020).

Fig. 3

Overall beneficial effects of phytanic acid. (↑: increase/upregulated; ↓: Decrease/downregulated).