Carnosine and its (S)-Trolox™ derivative protect animals against oxidative stress.

The novel synthetic derivative of carnosine, (S)-6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carbonyl-β-alanyl-L-histidine (S-Trolox™-Carnosine, STC) increases the resistance of rats to experimental acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH) thus protecting brain from the oxidative damage. This effect is accompanied by better preservation of the acquired skills in Morris water maze possibly by increasing efficiency of the brain antioxidant system. In addition, STC caused an increase in life span of both male and female fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster whereas carnosine increased life span only in male fruit flies. The results indicate that development of the drug based on STC could be beneficial in neurology and gerontology.