Valproic acid, sodium salt

Biological Activity

Valproic acid, sodium salt is a histone deacetylase inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 400 μM) that exhibits anticancer, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Displays anticonvulsive activity via an increase in GABA levels and decreases Aβ production in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Also attenuates NMDA-mediated excitation, blocks voltage-gated Na⁺ channels and modulates firing of neurons. Enables induction of pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells by Oct4 and Sox2. Can induce autophagy by inhibiting inositol synthesis. Identified by chemoinformatics as targeting human host proteins that interact with SARS-CoV-2.

For more information about how Valproic acid, sodium salt may be used, see our protocol:

Highly Efficient Generation of CiPSCs from MEFs

Technical Data

The technical data provided above is for guidance only. For batch specific data refer to the Certificate of Analysis.
Tocris products are intended for laboratory research use only, unless stated otherwise.

Background References

1. Capturing the biology of disease severity in a PSC-based model of familial dysautonomia
   N Zeltner, F Fattahi, NC Dubois, N Saurat, F Lafaille, L Shang, B Zimmer, J Tchieu, MA Soliman, G Lee, JL Casanova, L Studer
   Nat. Med., 2016;22(12):1421-1427.
2. Real-time discrimination between proliferation and neuronal and astroglial differentiation of human neural stem cells.
   Lee, Rimi, Kim, Il-Sun, Han, Nalae, Yun, Seokhwan, Park, Kook In, Yoo, Kyung-Hw
   Sci Rep, 2014;4(0):6319.
3. Histone deacetylase inhibitors exhibit anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in a rat permanent ischemic model of stroke: multiple mechanisms of action.
   Kim et al.
   J.Pharmacol.Exp.Ther., 2007;321:892
4. Valproic acid inhibits Aβ production, neuritic plaque formation, and behavioural defects in Alzheimer's disease mouse models.
   Qing et al.
   J.Exp.Med., 2008;205:2781
5. Histone deacetylase is a direct target of valproic acid, a potent anticonvulsant, mood stabilizer, and teratogen.
   Phiel et al.
   J.Biol.Chem., 2001;276:36734
6. Valproic acid, a molecular lead to multiple regulatory pathways.
   Kostrouchova et al.
   Folia Biologica, 2007;53:37
7. Induction of pluripotent stem cells from primary human fibroblasts with only Oct4 and Sox2.
   Huangfu et al.
   Nat.Biotechnol., 2008;26:1269
8. A SARS-CoV-2-human protein-protein interaction map reveals drug targets and potential drug-repurposing.
   Gordon et al.
   Nature, 2020;

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