3-Indolepropionic acid
3-Indolepropionic acid (IPA), or indole-3-propionic acid, has been studied for its therapeutic therapeutic value in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. As of 2022 IPA shows potential in the treatment of this disease, though the therapeutic effect of IPA depends on dose and time of therapy initiation.
Clinical data | |
---|---|
Trade names | Oxigon |
Other names | Conjugate acid: • 1H-Indole-3-propanoic acid • Indole-3-propionic acid Conjugate base: • Indole-3-propionate |
ATC code |
|
Legal status | |
Legal status |
|
Identifiers | |
| |
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
IUPHAR/BPS | |
ChemSpider | |
UNII | |
ChEBI | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.011.455 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C11H11NO2 |
Molar mass | 189.214 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
Melting point | 134 to 135 °C (273 to 275 °F) |
| |
| |
(verify) |
Though promising in some historical clinical trials, IPA is not clinically listed as a useful therapeutic in managing Alzheimer's as of 2023.
This compound endogenously produced by human microbiota and has only been detected in vivo when the species Clostridium sporogenes is present in the gastrointestinal tract. As of April 2016, C. sporogenes, which uses tryptophan to synthesize IPA, is the only species of bacteria known to synthesize IPA in vivo at levels which are subsequently detectable in the blood plasma of the host.
IPA is an even more potent scavenger of hydroxyl radicals than melatonin, the most potent scavenger of hydroxyl radicals that is synthesized by human enzymes. Similar to melatonin but unlike other antioxidants, it scavenges radicals without subsequently generating reactive and pro-oxidant intermediate compounds. In 2017, elevated concentrations of IPA in human blood plasma were found to be correlated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and higher consumption of fiber-rich foods.