What Is Carnosine?

Carnosine (L-Carnosine) , scientific name -alanyl-L-histidine, is a dipeptide composed of two amino acids, -alanine and L-histidine, a crystalline solid. Muscle and brain tissues contain high levels of carnosine. Carnosine is a compound found with carnitine by the Russian chemist Gulevich. Studies in the United Kingdom, South Korea, Russia and other countries have shown that carnosine has strong antioxidant capacity and is beneficial to the human body. Carnosine has been shown to scavenge reactive oxygen free radicals (ROS) and - unsaturated aldehydes that are formed by the excessive oxidation of fatty acids in cell membranes during oxidative stress.

Carnosine (L-Carnosine) , scientific name -alanyl-L-histidine, is a dipeptide composed of two amino acids, -alanine and L-histidine, a crystalline solid. Muscle and brain tissues contain high levels of carnosine. Carnosine is a compound found with carnitine by the Russian chemist Gulevich. Studies in the United Kingdom, South Korea, Russia and other countries have shown that carnosine has strong antioxidant capacity and is beneficial to the human body. Carnosine has been shown to scavenge reactive oxygen free radicals (ROS) and - unsaturated aldehydes that are formed by the excessive oxidation of fatty acids in cell membranes during oxidative stress.

Chinese name

Carnosine

English name

L-Carnosine

Chemical formula

C9H14N4O3

Molecular weight

226.24

CAS Registry Number

305-84-0

Melting point

235

Exterior

Crystalline solid

Application

Food additives, cosmetics additives

Molar mass

226.23 g · mol¹

Carnosine research results

Many studies have found that N-acetylcarnosine has a good effect in the prevention and treatment of cataracts. One of them has shown that carnosine can improve cataracts caused by turbidity of water crystals in rats caused by exposure to guanidine. Treatment of cataracts and other hypothetical benefits to the eye, but so far, has not been fully supported by the mainstream medical community, such as the Royal British Ophthalmology once declared that carnosine in the local treatment of cataract is neither safe nor effective.

A 2002 research report pointed out that carnosine can improve the relationship between autistic children and society and increase the vocabulary used by autistic children, but the improvements claimed in the study may also come from mature, The placebo effect or other factors were not included in this study.

In animal experiments, carnosine supplementation can increase cortisol levels, which may explain the hyperactive symptoms sometimes caused by the use of high-dose carnosine. However, the above study injected carnosine into the ventricles of chickens, and corticosteroids The phenomenon of increasing content has not yet appeared in human experiments. In animal experiments, carnosine has been found to delay the growth of cancer cells, prevent oxidative stress caused by alcohol and chronic liver damage caused by ethanol, and the neuroprotective mechanism of carnosine in rats can prevent permanent brain ischemia.

Carnosine can enhance the Heverick limit of human fibroblasts and the rate of telomere shortening. The maintenance of telomeres may be beneficial to the growth of some potential cancers, so carnosine is also considered a protective agent.

It is generally believed that typical vegetarians lack carnosine intake, but it is still unknown whether this will cause adverse effects.

Carnosine application range

1. New food additives.

2. Carnosine is a dipeptide composed of -alanine and histidine, which can be synthesized in animals.

3. Carnosine has a significant inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation caused by free radicals and metal ions, and carnosine can inhibit fat oxidation and protect meat color in meat processing. Carnosine and phytic acid resist beef oxidation. Adding 0.9g / kg carnosine to the diet can improve flesh color and oxidative stability of skeletal muscle, and has a synergistic effect with vitamin E.

4. The use in cosmetics can prevent skin aging and skin whitening. Carnosine can prevent the occurrence of free radicals caused by smoking, and this free radicals will hurt the skin more than sunlight. Free radicals are in the human body. A very active atom or group of atoms that can oxidize other substances in the body.

5. Carnosine has antioxidant properties and is a natural antioxidant.

6. Increased light transmission to turbid human eye crystals. The use of carnosine as an antioxidant can treat senile cataracts.

7. The sensory substance of the olfactory nerve can promote wound healing, especially for oral medicine used in surgical treatment.