L-Carnosine
Chemical name: β - alanyl - L - histidine
Chemical formula: C₉H₁₄N₄O₃
Molecular weight: 226.23 g/mol
Structural features: It is formed by the connection of β - alanine and L - histidine through a peptide bond. The molecule contains an imidazole group, which endows L - carnosine with unique chemical and biological properties.
Chemical formula: C₉H₁₄N₄O₃
Molecular weight: 226.23 g/mol
Structural features: It is formed by the connection of β - alanine and L - histidine through a peptide bond. The molecule contains an imidazole group, which endows L - carnosine with unique chemical and biological properties.
Physiological functions
- Antioxidant effect
- Free radical scavenging: L - carnosine can directly scavenge various free radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion radicals, reducing the oxidative damage of free radicals to cells and biological macromolecules.
- Metal ion chelation: It can bind to metal ions such as iron and copper, reducing the ability of metal ions to catalyze the generation of free radicals, thus indirectly exerting an antioxidant effect.
- Anti - glycation effect: It can bind to the intermediate and end - products in the glycation reaction, preventing the glycation of proteins and lipids, reducing the formation of glycation products, and helping to prevent and improve glycation - related diseases, such as diabetic complications and cardiovascular diseases.
- pH buffering: It has good acid - base buffering capacity and can maintain an appropriate pH value in both the intracellular and extracellular environments, ensuring the activity of intracellular enzymes and normal cell metabolism. In muscle tissue, when a large amount of lactic acid is produced during exercise, causing a decrease in pH, L - carnosine can buffer acidic substances and delay the occurrence of muscle fatigue.
- Neuroprotective effect
- Inhibiting neuronal apoptosis: By regulating intracellular signaling pathways, it inhibits the apoptosis of nerve cells induced by factors such as oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, and has a certain preventive and therapeutic effect on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
- Regulating neurotransmitters: It affects the release and metabolism of neurotransmitters, maintains the normal function of the nervous system, and helps to improve cognitive ability and memory.
Sources and distribution
- Food sources: It is mainly present in animal - based foods such as meat and fish, such as beef, chicken, and fish. The content in red meat is relatively high. It has a low content in plant - based foods.
- Synthesis in the body: In humans, L - carnosine is mainly synthesized by the kidneys and liver, and then transported to various tissues and organs through the blood circulation. It has a high content in muscle tissue, especially in fast - twitch muscle fibers.
Application fields
- Healthcare product field: As an antioxidant and anti - fatigue nutritional supplement, it can help athletes improve their athletic ability and delay fatigue. It is also suitable for middle - aged and elderly people to maintain physical health and delay aging.
- Cosmetics field: When added to skin care products, it has antioxidant, anti - wrinkle, and moisturizing effects. It can reduce the damage of free radicals to the skin, delay skin aging, and improve skin elasticity and luster.
- Medical field: It has potential application value in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetic complications, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. It can also be used in the treatment of eye diseases, such as preventing and improving cataracts.
