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Details

Stereochemistry RACEMIC
Molecular Formula C8H14O2S2
Molecular Weight 206.326
Optical Activity ( + / - )
Defined Stereocenters 0 / 1
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of ALPHA LIPOIC ACID

SMILES

OC(=O)CCCCC1CCSS1

InChI

InChIKey=AGBQKNBQESQNJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI=1S/C8H14O2S2/c9-8(10)4-2-1-3-7-5-6-11-12-7/h7H,1-6H2,(H,9,10)

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula C8H14O2S2
Molecular Weight 206.326
Charge 0
Count
Stereochemistry RACEMIC
Additional Stereochemistry No
Defined Stereocenters 0 / 1
E/Z Centers 0
Optical Activity ( + / - )

Thioctic acid also known as alpha-lipoic acid is a dietary supplement, which is a common ingredient in OTC (over-the-counter) multivitamin formulas and anti-aging supplements. Thioctic acid exists in both R- and S-enantiomeric forms, however, only R-form is essential as a cofactor in biological systems (the acid is coupled via an amide linkage to a lysine of several multienzyme complexes, such as the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, the glycine cleavage system and the branched-chain oxo acid dehydrogenase complex). Most commercially available thioctic acid supplements are a mixture of both R and S enantiomers or R-form alone. Several studies have shown that the acid has beneficial effect on diabetes complications, cancer, glaucome, liver disease, etc. The mechanisms of thioctic acid is related to its antioxidant properties, metal chelator properties, however, those mechanisms need futher confirmation.

Approval Year

Conditions
Cmax

Cmax

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
7.6 μg/mL
600 mg 1 times / day steady-state, oral
dose: 600 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: STEADY-STATE
co-administered:
THIOCTIC ACID plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
AUC

AUC

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
5.6 μg × h/mL
600 mg 1 times / day steady-state, oral
dose: 600 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: STEADY-STATE
co-administered:
THIOCTIC ACID plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
T1/2

T1/2

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
0.5 h
600 mg 1 times / day steady-state, oral
dose: 600 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: STEADY-STATE
co-administered:
THIOCTIC ACID plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: MALE
food status: UNKNOWN
Doses

Doses

DosePopulationAdverse events​
600 mg 1 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 600 mg, 1 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 600 mg, 1 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, ADULT
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: ADULT
Sex: M+F
Food Status: FASTED
Sources:
Disc. AE: Gastrointestinal disturbance...
AEs leading to
discontinuation/dose reduction:
Gastrointestinal disturbance (8.2%)
Sources:
600 mg 3 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 600 mg, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 600 mg, 3 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, ADULT
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: ADULT
Sex: M+F
Food Status: FASTED
Sources:
Other AEs: Itching...
Other AEs:
Itching (0.8%)
Sources:
600 mg 3 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 600 mg, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 600 mg, 3 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, ADULT
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: ADULT
Sex: M+F
Food Status: FASTED
Sources:
Disc. AE: Skin eruption...
AEs leading to
discontinuation/dose reduction:
Skin eruption (10%)
Sources:
AEs

AEs

AESignificanceDosePopulation
Gastrointestinal disturbance 8.2%
Disc. AE
600 mg 1 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 600 mg, 1 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 600 mg, 1 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, ADULT
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: ADULT
Sex: M+F
Food Status: FASTED
Sources:
Itching 0.8%
600 mg 3 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 600 mg, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 600 mg, 3 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, ADULT
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: ADULT
Sex: M+F
Food Status: FASTED
Sources:
Skin eruption 10%
Disc. AE
600 mg 3 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 600 mg, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 600 mg, 3 times / day
Sources:
unhealthy, ADULT
Health Status: unhealthy
Age Group: ADULT
Sex: M+F
Food Status: FASTED
Sources:
Overview

Overview

Drug as perpetrator​

Drug as perpetrator​

TargetModalityActivityMetaboliteClinical evidence
no [IC50 >10 uM]
no [IC50 >10 uM]
no [IC50 >10 uM]
no [IC50 >10 uM]
no [IC50 >10 uM]
no [IC50 >10 uM]
no [IC50 >10 uM]
no [IC50 >1000 uM]
no
no
no
yes [Inhibition 10 uM]
yes [Inhibition 10 uM]
yes
yes
yes
Drug as victim

Drug as victim

TargetModalityActivityMetaboliteClinical evidence
no
Tox targets
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
Potent upregulation of glutathione and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 by alpha-lipoic acid in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells: protection against neurotoxicant-elicited cytotoxicity.
2008-05
Therapeutic efficacy of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on cyclosporine A induced renal alterations.
2007-10-01
Adjunctive care with nutritional, herbal, and homeopathic complementary and alternative medicine modalities in stroke treatment and rehabilitation.
2007-08-19
CoCl2 induces protective events via the p38-MAPK signalling pathway and ANP in the perfused amphibian heart.
2007-07
Beneficial effect of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on cyclosporine A induced hyperlipidemic nephropathy in rats.
2007-07
Unusual fluorescence enhancement of a novel carbazolyldiacetylene bound to gold nanoparticles.
2007-06-05
Effect of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on cyclophosphamide induced lysosomal changes in oxidative cardiotoxicity.
2007-05-01
Efficacy of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on methanol induced free radical changes, protein oxidative damages and hsp70 expression in folate deficient rat nervous tissue.
2007-05-01
Monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles by the self-assembly of micellar poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) block copolymer.
2007-02-13
Modulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade and metalloproteinase activity in diaphragm muscle in response to free radical scavenger administration in dystrophin-deficient Mdx mice.
2007-02
Acrolein, a toxicant in cigarette smoke, causes oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in RPE cells: protection by (R)-alpha-lipoic acid.
2007-01
Zinc and the cytoskeleton in the neuronal modulation of transcription factor NFAT.
2007-01
Diabetic painful neuropathy: current and future treatment options.
2007
Reactive oxygen species mediate caspase activation and apoptosis induced by lipoic acid in human lung epithelial cancer cells through Bcl-2 down-regulation.
2006-12
Interfacial pH and surface pKa of a thioctic acid self-assembled monolayer.
2006-11-07
Protective role of eicosapentaenoate-lipoate (EPA-LA) derivative in combating oxidative hepatocellular injury in hypercholesterolemic atherogenesis.
2006-11
Doxorubicin-induced reactive oxygen species generation and intracellular Ca2+ increase are reciprocally modulated in rat cardiomyocytes.
2006-10-31
Application of N-PLS calibration to the simultaneous determination of Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) using peptide modified electrochemical sensors.
2006-09
Insight into the role of DL-alpha-lipoic acid against cyclophosphamide induced alterations in calcium sensitivity of cardiac myofilaments.
2006-09
Protective effect of DL-alpha-lipoic acid on cyclophosphamide induced hyperlipidemic cardiomyopathy.
2006-08-14
RS-alpha-lipoic acid protects cholinergic cells against sodium nitroprusside and amyloid-beta neurotoxicity through restoration of acetyl-CoA level.
2006-08
Antioxidants reduce cone cell death in a model of retinitis pigmentosa.
2006-07-25
Contact dermatitis to alpha-lipoic acid in an anti-wrinkle cream.
2006-07
Biofunctional ZnO nanorod arrays grown on flexible substrates.
2006-06-20
Oxidative stress-mediated macromolecular damage and dwindle in antioxidant status in aged rat brain regions: role of L-carnitine and DL-alpha-lipoic acid.
2006-06
Salubrious effects of lipoic acid against adriamycin-induced clastogenesis and apoptosis in Wistar rat bone marrow cells.
2006-05-15
A phase II study with antioxidants, both in the diet and supplemented, pharmaconutritional support, progestagen, and anti-cyclooxygenase-2 showing efficacy and safety in patients with cancer-related anorexia/cachexia and oxidative stress.
2006-05
Oxidative stress and DNA single strand breaks in skeletal muscle of aged rats: role of carnitine and lipoicacid.
2006-04
Carnitine and lipoic acid alleviates protein oxidation in heart mitochondria during aging process.
2006-04
Modulatory role of lipoic acid on adriamycin-induced testicular injury.
2006-03-25
MafA expression and insulin promoter activity are induced by nicotinamide and related compounds in INS-1 pancreatic beta-cells.
2006-03
[Oxaliplatin neurotoxicity].
2006-02-01
Protective effect of lipoic acid on micronuclei induction by cyclophosphamide.
2006-02
Protective efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid on acetylcholinesterase activity in aged rat brain regions.
2006
Decrease in NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase activity of the human heart, Liver and lungs in the presence of alpha-lipoic acid.
2006
Combined efficacies of DL-alpha-lipoic acid and meso 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid against arsenic induced toxicity in antioxidant systems of rats.
2005-12-30
dl-alpha-lipoic acid ameliorates cyclophosphamide induced cardiac mitochondrial injury.
2005-11-05
(R)-alpha-lipoic acid protects retinal pigment epithelial cells from oxidative damage.
2005-11
Plasmodium falciparum possesses organelle-specific alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes and lipoylation pathways.
2005-11
Protective effects of different antioxidants and amrinone on vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity.
2005-11
Cytoprotective role of DL-alpha-lipoic acid in cyclophosphamide induced myocardial toxicity.
2005-08
Brain regional responses in antioxidant system to alpha-lipoic acid in arsenic intoxicated rat.
2005-05-15
Evidence for a non-antioxidant, dose-dependent role of alpha -lipoic acid in caspase-3 and ERK2 activation in endothelial cells.
2005-05
Attenuation of serum lipid abnormalities and cardiac oxidative stress by eicosapentaenoate-lipoate (EPA-LA) derivative in experimental hypercholesterolemia.
2005-05
Oxidative stress on mitochondrial antioxidant defense system in the aging process: role of DL-alpha-lipoic acid and L-carnitine.
2005-05
The protective role of DL-alpha-lipoic acid in biogenic amines catabolism triggered by Abeta amyloid vaccination in mice.
2005-04-30
Oxidative stress and the use of antioxidants in diabetes: linking basic science to clinical practice.
2005-04-29
Mitigation of oxidative stress in cyclophosphamide-challenged hepatic tissue by DL-alpha-lipoic acid.
2005-04
Arsenic intoxication-induced reduction of glutathione level and of the activity of related enzymes in rat brain regions: reversal by DL-alpha-lipoic acid.
2005-03
The protective role of DL-alpha-lipoic acid in the oxidative vulnerability triggered by Abeta-amyloid vaccination in mice.
2005-02
Patents

Sample Use Guides

Recommended oral therapeutic dosages of alpha-lipoic acid range from 600-1800 mg daily.
Route of Administration: Oral
In Vitro Use Guide
Supplementation of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells with 100, 200, or 500 uM thioctic acid after inoculation with R. rickettsii restored the intracellular levels of thiols and glutathione peroxidase and reduced the intracellular peroxide levels in infected cells.
Substance Class Chemical
Created
by admin
on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
Edited
by admin
on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
Record UNII
73Y7P0K73Y
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version
  • Download
Name Type Language
.ALPHA.-LIPOIC ACID
Preferred Name English
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID
USP   USP-RS   VANDF  
USP  
Official Name English
THIOCTIC ACID
EP   HSDB   INCI   JAN   MART.   WHO-DD  
INCI  
Preferred Name English
DL-6,8-THIOCTIC ACID
Common Name English
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID [VANDF]
Common Name English
NSC-90788
Code English
BILETAN
Brand Name English
ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID
VANDF  
Common Name English
THIOCTIC ACID DL-FORM [MI]
Common Name English
THIOCTIC ACID, (±)-
Common Name English
NSC-628502
Code English
ACIDUM THIOCTICUM
Common Name English
6,8-THIOCTIC ACID
Common Name English
THIOCACID
Brand Name English
Thioctic acid [WHO-DD]
Common Name English
1,2-DITHIOLANE-3-PENTANOIC ACID
Systematic Name English
ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID [VANDF]
Common Name English
THIOCTIC ACID [MART.]
Common Name English
THIOCTIC ACID [JAN]
Common Name English
A-LIPOICUM ACIDUM
HPUS  
Common Name English
TIOCTIC ACID
Common Name English
LIPOIC ACID, DL-
Common Name English
THIOCTIC ACID [HSDB]
Common Name English
.DELTA.-(3-(1,2-DITHIACYCLOPENTYL))PENTANOIC ACID
Common Name English
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID [USP IMPURITY]
Common Name English
THIOCTIC ACID [MI]
Common Name English
THIOCTIC ACID [EP MONOGRAPH]
Common Name English
5-(3-(1,2-DITHIOLANYL))PENTANOIC ACID
Common Name English
A-LIPOICUM ACIDUM [HPUS]
Common Name English
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID [USP-RS]
Common Name English
.ALPHA.-LIPOIC ACID, (±)-
Common Name English
THIOCTATE
Common Name English
5-(1,2-DITHIOLAN-3-YL)VALERIC ACID
Systematic Name English
1,2-DITHIOLANE-3-VALERIC ACID
Systematic Name English
5-((3RS)-1,2-DITHIOLAN-3-YL)PENTANOIC ACID
Systematic Name English
THIOCTAN
Brand Name English
Classification Tree Code System Code
WHO-VATC QA16AX01
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
EU-Orphan Drug EU/3/16/1646
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
DSLD 8 (Number of products:2523)
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
WHO-ATC A16AX01
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
Code System Code Type Description
CAS
1077-28-7
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
ECHA (EC/EINECS)
200-534-6
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
ALTERNATIVE
CHEBI
30314
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
FDA UNII
73Y7P0K73Y
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
MESH
D008063
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
RXCUI
6417
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
PUBCHEM
864
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
MERCK INDEX
m10749
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY Merck Index
SMS_ID
100000086014
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
CHEBI
30313
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
CHEBI
16494
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
DRUG CENTRAL
4732
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
ECHA (EC/EINECS)
214-071-2
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
NSC
628502
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
CAS
62-46-4
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
SUPERSEDED
EPA CompTox
DTXSID7025508
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
DAILYMED
73Y7P0K73Y
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
RS_ITEM_NUM
1368201
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
ChEMBL
CHEMBL33864
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
EVMPD
SUB15537MIG
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
RXCUI
618060
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
ALTERNATIVE
NCI_THESAURUS
C61595
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
NSC
90788
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
HSDB
7818
Created by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025 , Edited by admin on Mon Mar 31 17:34:08 GMT 2025
PRIMARY
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