Description
Retinyl palmitate is the ester of retinol and palmitic acid; it exhibits anti-metastatic and antioxidative activities. Retinyl palmitate is commercially used as a vitamin A supplement but it does not directly activate retinoic acid receptors (RARs) like other forms of vitamin A. In animal models of colon cancer, retinyl palmitate decreases cancer metastasis. In cellular models, this compound prevents oxidation of LDL. Retinyl palmitate displays both mutagenic as well as anticancer activities in various models; in one model, it induces DNA damage under UV light, and in another model it inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells. This compound is packaged as a water-dispersable solid in a gelatin base; it has > 1% BHA,BHT, & α-Tocopherol added as preservatives. Retinyl palmitate is not as stable as retinyl acetate in pure form. 250,000 USP units per gram.