Policosanols lose their lustre as cholesterol-lowering agents

Policosanols have been purported by one research group to act as effective agents for LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering in humans. However data from independent researchers have been contradicting results published by the laboratories originating these claims. The purpose of this commentary is therefore to briefly summarize the policosanol controversy and point out the potential explanations for inconsistencies in the policosanol literature, as well as to determine potential origins of the problem especially at the level of the reviewing and publishing process. Scrutiny and vigilance at all steps of the process are necessary in order to avoid such controversies in the field of natural product research.