dl-alpha-Tocopherol

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance|Vitamin

**Definition:** A synthetic form of vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin with potent antioxidant properties. Considered essential for the stabilization of biological membranes (especially those with high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids), d-alpha-Tocopherol is a potent peroxyl radical scavenger and inhibits noncompetitively cyclooxygenase activity in many tissues, resulting in a decrease in prostaglandin production. Vitamin E also inhibits angiogenesis and tumor dormancy through suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transcription. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - (+-)-alpha-Tocopherol - (+/-)-alpha-Tocopherol - .ALPHA.-TOCOPHEROL, DL- - 3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol - DL-alpha-Tocopherol