Pyritinol, the disulfide of pyridoxine-5-thiol,
is marketed as a cerebral stimulant in Europe.
Both the thiol and the disulfide have been shown
to have d-penicillamine-like activity in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Adverse effects are
similar to those seen with d-penicillamine. Occasionally, pyritinol seems effective and better
tolerated in some individuals who fail to respond
to d-penicillamine.
Pyritinol can be used as a nootropic used in the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.
cognition enhancer, nootropic
ChEBI: Pyritinol is a member of methylpyridines.
Biontabol;Bonifwn;Cefalogen;Cerebrotrofina;Cervitalin;Divalvon-d;Enbol;Encefort;Encerbrovit;Encerebron;Fulneurina;Geribolina;Gerontabol comp.;Juniormen;Leonar;Logos;Maind;Musa;Neuroxin;Piriditol;Piririomin;Piritinol;Piritiomin;Plenumil;Sawaxin;Scintidin;Tibased;Tomevit;Tonobrein;Tonomentis.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Pyritinol, which is claimed to promote the uptake of glucose in
the brain, is used in the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders. However, WHO is
not aware of controlled experimental data to show that it has any therapeutic effect.
Synthesis: treatment of pyridoxine with hydrobromic acid gives 4,5-bis(bromomethyl)-3-
hydroxy-2-methylpyridinium bromide, which
when treated in the cold with potassium
ethyl xanthate gives ethyl 4-hydroxymethyl-
3-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-pyridyl methylxanthate.
Hydrolysis and oxidation are carried out in
aqueous-alcoholic ammonia to give the disulfide
pyritinol.
