Introduction

DL-lipoic acid is a unique anti-free radical substance, often referred to as a broad-spectrum antioxidant. It is a vitamin-like substance produced in the body. Unlike other antioxidants produced in the body with special effects, DL-lipoic acid is neither strictly fat-soluble nor water-soluble, which allows it to promote the activity of other antioxidants in the body and is also a widely available substitute when antioxidants are insufficient. For example, if the level of vitamin C and vitamin E stored in the body is very low, DL-lipoic acid can be temporarily supplemented. Because DL-lipoic acid can pass the blood-brain barrier, it can help reverse the adverse effects caused by stroke.

2. Application Scenarios and Advantages

Industry Solutions:

Diabetes Management:

Oral tablets: 600mg/day dose, improve insulin sensitivity (clinical trial HbA1c reduced by 0.8%)

Injection: combined with B vitamins to treat diabetic neuropathy (included in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)

Anti-aging skin care:

0.5%-2% addition, inhibits matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1), reduces UV-induced collagen degradation

Compound VC/VE, enhances antioxidant synergistic effect (ORAC value ↑40%)

Sports Nutrition:

Reduce lactic acid accumulation after exercise and accelerate muscle recovery (clinical research: exercise endurance ↑15%)

Physical and chemical properties

α-lipoic acid is a pale yellow powdery crystal, almost odorless, and its chemical structure is 6,8-di-DL-lipoic acid, with the 6 and 8 carbon atoms connected by a disulfide bond to form an internal disulfide compound. When reduced, the disulfide bond breaks to form dihydro-DL-lipoic acid. α-lipoic acid is insoluble in water but soluble in lipid solvents. Some people classify it as a fat-soluble vitamin; it is easily soluble in methanol, ethanol, chloroform, and ether.

Uses

Alpha-lipoic acid is also a highly effective antioxidant and plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases.

Biochemical function

DL-lipoic acid can transfer hydrogen through the conversion between oxidized and reduced forms, and is an antioxidant. The human body can synthesize the required DL-lipoic acid. At present, no DL-lipoic acid deficiency has been found. DL-lipoic acid (1ipoic acid) is a sulfur-containing octa-carbon fatty acid that exists in two forms, oxidized and reduced. In nature, DL-lipoic acid exists in combination with proteins, and its carboxyl group is connected to the --NH of lysine in the protein molecule. DL-lipoic acid is an acyl carrier that exists in pyruvate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and is closely related to sugar metabolism. The oxidized and reduced DL-lipoic acid can be converted into each other. During the oxidation and decarboxylation of α-keto acids, it has the function of coupling acyl transfer and electron transfer. DL-lipoic acid is widely distributed in nature, and is particularly rich in liver and yeast. It often exists in food together with vitamin B.

Applications

In the medical field, α-lipoic acid is widely used in the prevention and adjuvant treatment of diabetes and its related complications. It can enhance sugar metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, relieve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, prevent diabetic cataracts, and prevent diabetic cardiovascular damage.

Biologically active Thioctic acid (DL-α-Lipoic acid) is a cyclic disulfide antioxidant that can interconvert with its reduced dithiol form.

Uses

1. Vitamin drugs that can stimulate fat metabolism. Used for the treatment and health care of acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatic coma, fatty liver, diabetes and other diseases

2. Antioxidant and as a coenzyme such as pyruvatedehydrogenase and glycinedecarboxylase, exogenous lipoic acid is reduced by two or more enzymes in the cell. This reduced form affects the process of cell scavenging free radicals. Increase glutathione synthesis and regulate transcription factor activity. Reduce the phagocytosis of macrophage myelin.