Valproic acid sodium salt

Valproic acid sodium salt (CAS 1069-66-5) is an orally bioavailable fatty acid derivative functioning as a class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor in neuronal cells and exhibiting antagonistic activity in various cancer cell lines. Additionally, it is known to modulate GABAergic signaling by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations in the central nervous system.

In experimental studies, Valproic acid sodium salt inhibits HDAC activity with an IC50 of 0.5-2 mM, tested against multiple cell types, including neural and cancer cells. It can also induce the degradation of specific cellular proteins, leading to altered gene expression profiles.

In cancer research, Valproic acid sodium salt has been shown to activate signaling pathways such as Notch and to suppress the proliferation of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells, with notable effects observed at a concentration of 400 μM. It also exerts anti-proliferative effects and influences cellular differentiation.

In the context of neuroscience and medicine, Valproic acid sodium salt is widely used for the research of epilepsy, bipolar disorder, metabolic diseases, HIV infection, and migraine. Its broad spectrum of actions makes it a valuable tool for mechanistic studies as well as for the evaluation of novel therapeutic modulations involving epigenetic regulation and neurotransmitter systems.