ADRENOCHROME

Red Crystalline Solid

The substance mainly responsible for the red colours produced during the mild oxidation of adrenaline

Adrenochrome is a derivative of epinephrine. When complexed with a salicylate, its stability is increased (carbazochrome). It was claimed to reduce blood loss, but the evidence is sparse.

ChEBI: Adrenochrome is a member of indoles.

Adrenochrome is an oxidation product of adrenaline. It has been implicated in cardiotoxicity. It is a short-lived cytotoxic molecule and is part of the leukocyte response used to kill bacteria. Adrenochrome is also suggested to exhibit psychotomimetic effects. It is used to determine superoxide dismutase activity.

It was crystallised from MeOH/formic acid, as red crystals of the hemihydrate, and stored in a vacuum desiccator. The mono-semicarbazone (Carbazochrome) [69-81-8] M 236.2, crystallises as orange-red crystals from dilute EtOH with m ~203o (dec) and is haemostatic. [Heacock Chem Rev 59 181 1959, Beilstein 21 III/IV 6434.]