Has been previously proposed as a possible Alzheimer’s disease therapy, after, it is being investigated for other neurodegenerative diseases such HD, Friedreich's Ataxia, ataxia, ..., for its neuroprotective action. As usual, the major efforts are focused in AD, and most scientific "public" information is related to AD.
Curiously, it also has application in gardening, is an auxin (plant hormone), and it is used as a growth roots stimulator . :-)
References:
Potent neuroprotective properties against the Alzheimer beta-amyloid by an endogenous melatonin-related indole structure, indole-3-propionic acid. Chyan YJ, Poeggeler B, Omar RA, Chain DG, Frangione B, Ghiso J, Pappolla MA. J Biol Chem. 1999
Development of indole-3-propionic acid (OXIGON) for Alzheimer's disease. Bendheim PE, Poeggeler B, Neria E, Ziv V, Pappolla MA, Chain DG. J Mol Neurosci. 2002
Indole-3-propionic acid attenuates neuronal damage and oxidative stress in the ischemic hippocampus. Hwang IK, Yoo KY, Li H, Park OK, Lee CH, Choi JH, Jeong YG, Lee YL, Kim YM, Kwon YG, Won MH. J Neurosci Res. 2009
A novel endogenous indole protects rodent mitochondria and extends rotifer lifespan. Poeggeler B, Sambamurti K, Siedlak SL, Perry G, Smith MA, Pappolla MA. PLoS One. 2010
Melatonin treatment restores mitochondrial function in Alzheimer's mice: a mitochondrial protective role of melatonin membrane receptor signaling. Dragicevic N, Copes N, O'Neal-Moffitt G, Jin J, Buzzeo R, Mamcarz M, Tan J, Cao C, Olcese JM, Arendash GW, Bradshaw PC. J Pineal Res. 2011.
Intellect obtains pharmacokinetic data from OX1 Phase 1b trial for Alzheimer's disease
Intellect Neurosciences Files Orphan Drug Application in the United States for Its Clinical Candidate OX1 for the Treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia
Clinical proof of concept patient trials for OX1 in Friedreich's Ataxia
ViroPharma Licenses Rights From Intellect Neurosciences for Product Candidate for Friedreich's Ataxia
