3,3'-Diselenodipropionic acid (DSePA): A redox active multifunctional molecule of biological relevance

Extensive research is being carried out globally to design and develop new selenium compounds for various biological applications such as antioxidants, radio-protectors, anti-carcinogenic agents, biocides, etc. In this pursuit, 3,3'-diselenodipropionic acid (DSePA), a synthetic organoselenium compound, has received considerable attention for its biological activities.

This review intends to give a comprehensive account of research on DSePA so as to facilitate further research activities on this organoselenium compound and to realize its full potential in different areas of biological and pharmacological sciences.

It is an interesting diselenide structurally related to selenocystine. It shows moderate glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activity and is an excellent scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Exposure to radiation, as envisaged during radiation therapy, has been associated with normal tissue side effects and also with the decrease in selenium levels in the body. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of DSePA has confirmed its ability to reduce radiation induced side effects into normal tissues. Administration of DSePA through intraperitoneal (IP) or oral route to mice in a dose range of 2 to 2.5 mg/kg body weight has shown survival advantage against whole body irradiation and a significant protection to lung tissue against thoracic irradiation. Pharmacokinetic profiling of DSePA suggests its maximum absorption in the lung.

Research work on DSePA reported in fifteen years or so indicates that it is a promising multifunctional organoselenium compound exhibiting many important activities of biological relevance apart from radioprotection.