Panthenol

Panthenol (also called pantothenol) is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and is thus a provitamin of B5. In organisms, it is quickly oxidized to pantothenic acid. It is a viscous transparent liquid at room temperature. Panthenol is used in pharmaceutical and children's products as a moisturizer and to hasten wound healing.


Adverse effects

Panthenol is generally well tolerated. In rare cases, skin irritation and contact allergies have been reported.[2][3]

Pharmacology

Panthenol readily penetrates into the skin and mucous membranes (including the intestinal mucosa), where it is quickly oxidized to pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid is extremely hygroscopic.[4] It is also used in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A, which plays a role in a wide range of enzymatic reactions and in cell growth.[2][3]

Physical and chemical properties

Dexpanthenol

Panthenol is an odourless, slightly bitter, highly viscous, transparent, and colourless liquid at room temperature,[5] but salts of pantothenic acid (for example sodium pantothenate) are powders that are typically white. It is easily soluble in water and alcohol, moderately soluble in diethyl ether, soluble in chloroform (1:100),[5] in propylene glycol, and slightly soluble in glycerin.

Panthenol's expanded chemical formula is HO–CH2–C(CH3)2–CH(OH)–CONH–CH2CH2CH2–OH.

Stereochemistry

Panthenol comes in two enantiomers: D, and L. Only D-panthenol (dexpanthenol) is biologically active, however both forms have moisturizing properties. For cosmetic use, panthenol comes either in D form, or as a racemic mixture of D and L (DL-panthenol).

References

  1. ^ "Dexpanthenol – Compound summary". PubChem Compound. US: National Center for Biotechnology Information. 25 March 2005. Identification. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  2. ^ a b Haberfeld H, ed. (2015). Austria-Codex (in German). Vienna: Österreichischer Apothekerverlag. Bepanthen Creme.
  3. ^ a b Ebner F, Heller A, Rippke F, Tausch I (2002). "Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders". American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 3 (6): 427–33. doi:10.2165/00128071-200203060-00005. PMID 12113650. S2CID 35836478.
  4. ^ Dinnendahl V, Fricke U, eds. (1991). Arzneistoff-Profile (in German). Vol. 7 (8 ed.). Eschborn, Germany: Govi Pharmazeutischer Verlag. Pantothensäure. ISBN 978-3-7741-9846-3.
  5. ^ a b List PH, Hörhammer L, eds. (1969). Hagers Handbuch der pharmazeutischen Praxis (in German). Vol. 2. Springer. p. 699.