What Is Pantethine?
Pantethine is an organic compound, recognized as a dimer of pantetheine, connected through disulfide bonds. It serves a pivotal role in human physiology, similar to pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), from which it is derived.
The molecular formula for pantethine is C22H42N4O8S2. Pantetheine, pantethine’s monomer, is an amide formed from pantothenic acid and cysteamine (2-mercaptoethylamine), showcasing similar biological activities to pantothenic acid. Pantethine’s CAS registration number is 137-08-6, highlighting its significance in scientific and health-related fields.
Uses of Pantethine
Pantethine mirrors the biological activities of pantothenic acid, making it a valuable component in nutritionally functional foods and medicinal products designed to prevent or treat pantothenic acid deficiency. Furthermore, it finds applications in cosmetics, acting as a key ingredient in hair and skin conditioning agents.
Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, is an essential nutrient involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It also promotes healthy intestinal motility and skin maintenance. Although dietary deficiencies are uncommon, supplementation with Pantethine can be beneficial in situations where the demand for pantothenic acid increases, such as during illness, pregnancy, or hyperthyroidism, as well as in managing conditions like hyperlipidemia, atonic constipation, and dermatological issues.
Properties of Pantethine
Pantethine has a molecular weight of 554.72 and boasts a boiling point of 987.2°C. It appears as a colorless to slightly yellow, clear viscous liquid at room temperature. Pantethine is soluble in water, methanol, and ethanol, though it degrades upon exposure to light. Its density is 1.28 g/mL.
Types of Pantethine
Pantethine is marketed for various uses, including in research, pharmaceuticals, and industry.
1. Reagent Products for Research and Development
As a reagent for R&D, pantethine is available as D-pantethine. These products come in quantities ranging from 50mg to 5g and require refrigeration or freezing for proper storage.
2. Pharmaceuticals
In pharmaceutical formulations, pantethine is utilized to prevent and treat pantothenic acid deficiencies. Available in forms such as tablets, powders, and injections, these products vary by manufacturer.
3. Industrial Use
Industrially, pantethine is sold in bulk, with quantities like 1kg and 25kg, for use as a synthetic material or intermediate in pharmaceuticals and other chemical productions.
Other Information about Pantethine
1. Pantethine, Pantetheine, Pantothenic Acid
Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is a component of coenzyme A (CoA) and plays a critical role in carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism. Pantetheine results from the condensation of pantothenic acid with cysteamine, forming an amide bond. Pantethine is then created through the oxidation and disulfide bonding of two pantetheine molecules.
These compounds are essentially identical in physiological function, acting in concert with CoA and 4′-phosphopantetheine as cofactors in vital metabolic processes.
2. Coenzyme A (CoA)
Coenzyme A is a vital coenzyme composed of pantothenic acid, adenosine diphosphate, and cysteamine. Its thiol group, derived from cysteamine, is capable of forming thioester bonds with various acyl groups, facilitating key metabolic reactions like the citric acid cycle and β-oxidation. CoA and its derivatives, such as acetyl-CoA, are central to numerous metabolic pathways, underscoring their importance in biological systems.