3-(5-[1,2]DITHIOLAN-3YL-PENTANOYLAMINO)-PROPYL-AMIDE

α-Lipoic acid is a cyclic disulfide antioxidant that interconverts with its reduced dithiol form. It is an essential cofactor for decarboxylation reactions of the citric acid cycle and acts as a general antioxidant.¹ AN-7 is a more lipophilic analog of α-lipoic acid with enhanced potency and 1.5-fold increased maximal capacity to stimulate glucose transport into myocytes.² This identifies the analogs of lipoic acid as potential new treatments for diabetes.

1. Biewenga, G.P., Haenen, G.R.M.M., and Bast, A. The pharmacology of the antioxidant lipoic acid Gen. Pharmacol. 29(3),315-331(1997).
2. Gruzman, A., Hidmi, A., Katzhendler, J., et al. Synthesis and characterization of new and potent α-lipoic acid derivatives Bioorg. Med. Chem. 12,1183-1190(2004).