Carnosine derivatives: new multifunctional drug-like molecules

Carnosine (b-alanyl-L-histidine) is an endogenousdipeptide widely and abundantly distributed in themuscle and nervous tissues of several animal species.Many functions have been proposed for this compoundbecause of its antioxidant and metal ion-chelator properties.Many potential therapeutic properties have been recognizedespecially related to the antioxidant activity, butthe therapeutic uses are strongly limited by the mechanismgoverning its homeostasis. This fact has been the mainreason for developing the synthesis of carnosine derivativeswith interesting potentiality, but until now there have beenvery few applications. These derivatives could representthe future drugs for many pathologies related to oxidativestress and metal ion dyshomeostasis.