Docosanoic acid

Docosanoic acid (CAS No.: 112-85-6) is a naturally occurring long-chain saturated fatty acid, also known as behenic acid, that is widely distributed in plant-derived lipids and incorporated into cellular membrane phospholipids, making it a relevant molecule in lipid metabolism and membrane biology research. Due to its extended hydrocarbon chain, it exhibits relatively slow intestinal absorption and low systemic bioavailability, characteristics that are often leveraged in studies of lipid digestion, transport, and metabolic regulation. Experimental evidence indicates that docosanoic acid can modulate lipid metabolic pathways and influence cholesterol homeostasis in humans, thereby affecting cardiovascular-related biomarkers and serving as a tool for investigating dyslipidemia and associated pathophysiological processes. At the molecular level, it has been reported to inhibit the double-stranded DNA binding activity of the p53 DNA-binding domain with high affinity in the nanomolar range, suggesting a potential role in modulating p53-dependent transcriptional responses and stress signaling pathways. As a membrane lipid component, it is frequently utilized in cellular and animal models to study alterations in lipid composition, membrane dynamics, and metabolic disorders, as well as in the development of models of lipid metabolism dysfunction. In vitro and in vivo applications typically employ concentration ranges tailored to specific experimental systems, making docosanoic acid a versatile tool in biochemical, pharmacological, and metabolic research contexts.