α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential fatty acid found in leafy green vegetables. ALA, as part of a low saturated fat diet, helps prevent cardiovascular disease. ALA decreases blood pressure, serum cholesterol levels, and platelet aggregation.
Ethyl dihomo-γ-linolenic acid ethyl ester (ethyl DGLA), an ω-6 fatty acid intermediate ester form, elevates prostaglandin E1(PGE1) and PGE2 secretion in rabbit renal papilla when administered dietarily at a dosage of 1 g/kg per day for 25 days. Additionally, this dosage of ethyl DGLA increases triglyceride levels and enhances the proportion of 20:3ω6 and 20:4ω6 phospholipids in the renal medulla of rabbits. Ethyl DGLA formulations have been employed in managing eczema and inflammatory disorders.
1,2,3-Tri-γ-linolenoyl glycerol, a polyunsaturated triacylglycerol featuring γ-linolenoyl side chains at the C-1, C-2, and C-3 positions, occurs in multiple plant species such as blackcurrant, redcurrant, and borage.
Jacaric acid is a conjugated polyunsaturated fatty acid first isolated from seeds of Jacaranda plants. Structurally, it is an 18-carbon ω-6 triene isomer of γ-linolenic acid . Jacaric acid induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines (GI50 = 1-5 μM). It increases the production of reactive oxygen species, and cytotoxicity is abolished by the antioxidant α-tocopherol, suggesting that apoptosis results from oxidative stress. Jacaric acid is metabolized in vivo to conjugated linoleic acid , which is also cytotoxic to cancer cells. Jacaric acid inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 in vitro (Ki = 1.7 μM) and, with long term feeding, decreases stearoyl-CoA desaturase expression and activity in mice.
A1-Phytoprostane-I is a cyclopentenone isoprostane produced by the action of reactive oxygen species on α-linolenic acid in plants. There are two A1-phytoprostanes, both having the single ketone group on the ring structure. This isoform results from cyclization between carbons 9 and 13 of linolenic acid, as opposed to carbons 3 and 7 in A1-phytoprostane-II. A1-Phytoprostanes induce the expression of glutathione-S-transferase, increase phytoalexin biosynthesis, and trigger the expression of several genes involved in primary and secondary metabolism in plants.