3-Indolepropionic acid (Synonyms: 3-Indolepropionic Acid, NSC 3252, NSC 47831)

3-Indolepropionic acid is shown to be a powerful antioxidant and has potential in the treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

3-Indolepropionic acid is shown to be a powerful antioxidant and has potential in the treatment for Alzheimer's disease[1]. 3-Indolepropionic acid is a more potent scavenger of hydroxyl radicals than melatonin. Similar to melatonin but unlike other antioxidants, 3-Indolepropionic acid scavenges radicals without subsequently generating reactive and pro-oxidant intermediate compounds[2]. It is also suggested that indolepropionic acid, a gut microbiota-produced metabolite, is a potential biomarker for the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) that may mediate its protective effect by preservation of β-cell function[3].

[1]. Wikoff WR, et al. Metabolomics analysis reveals large effects of gut microflora on mammalian blood metabolites. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Mar 10;106(10):3698-703. [2]. Reiter RJ, et al. Reactive oxygen intermediates, molecular damage, and aging. Relation to melatonin. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998 Nov 20;854:410-24. [3]. de Mello VDet al. Indolepropionic acid and novel lipid metabolites are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 11;7:46337. doi: 10.1038/srep46337.