Indole-3-propionic acid is a tryptophan metabolite long recognised as a plant growth regulator. Indole-3-propionic acid is produced by microbiota in the human gut, including Clostridium sporogenes. Indole-3-propionic acid is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger that binds to the pregnane X receptor in intestinal cells, thereby facilitating mucosal homeostasis and protecting against intestinal epithelial barrier damage. Indole-3-propionic acid is neuroprotective in vivo, inhibiting β-amyloid fibril formation. Indole-3-propionic acid inhibits the growth of E. coli in vitro via its ability to block endogenous tryptophan formation.
Molecular Formula | C11H11NO2 |
References |
Granick S and Dunham HW (1937) Growth responses of various plants to 3-indolepropionic acid. Papers Mich. Acad. Sci. Arts Lett. 22:69 Reiter RJ and Ann NY (1998) Reactive oxygen intermediates, molecular damage, and aging. Relation to melatonin. Ann NY Acad Sci. 854:410 Zhoa Z-H et al (2019) Indole-3-propionic acid inhibits gut dysbiosis and endotoxin leakage to attenuate steatohepatitis in rats. Exp. Molec. Med. 51:1 |