database / longevity
Carnosine
Skeletal structure drawn from the computed atomic coordinates in PubChem CID 439224. Carbons are implicit vertices, hydrogens on carbon suppressed. Every atom sits where PubChem placed it.
Sequence
Primary structure not characterised in the public record.
β-alanyl-L-histidine — contains β-alanine, which has no one-letter code.
Molecular data
| molecular formula | C9H14N4O3 |
|---|---|
| molecular weight | 226.23 Da (PubChem) |
| computed backbone mass | not characterised |
| length | not characterised |
| net charge (pH 7.4) | not characterised |
| mean hydropathy | not characterised |
| half-life | not characterised |
| delivery route | oral |
| PubChem CID | 439224 |
| PDB | not characterised |
| UniProt parent | not characterised |
Mechanism
Endogenous dipeptide studied as a pH buffer and carbonyl scavenger in muscle.
Reported targets: reactive carbonyls
Experimental structure
No experimental structure deposited in the PDB. A predicted fold is not a structure, so nothing is drawn.
Reported effects
Each row is an outcome described in the literature indexed for this peptide.
| reported outcome | where it appears |
|---|---|
| muscle buffering capacity | Carnosine-Related Metabolism in Rat Cardiomyocytes and Human Heart Tissue FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 2026 |
| antiglycation activity in models | The Role and Mechanism of Carnosine in Alleviating Type 2 Diabetic Sarcopeni… Biology 2026 |
Registered trials
| NCT | title | status | phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT03997188 | Zinc-L-Carnosine Prevents Dysphagia in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Radiothera | COMPLETED | PHASE3 |
| NCT04849182 | Vertistop® D and Vertistop® L in Preventing Recurrence of High-recurrence BPPV | COMPLETED | NA |
| NCT06021223 | The Effects of Chicken Extract on Mental Energy in Healthy Adults and the Underlying Mechani | COMPLETED | NA |
| NCT02770417 | Oral β-Alanine Supplementation in Patients With COPD | COMPLETED | NA |
| NCT06678997 | Polaprezinc (Zinc L-carnosine) in Infants With Gastroesophageal Reflux | COMPLETED | NA |
Literature (8)
Carnosine-Related Metabolism in Rat Cardiomyocytes and Human Heart Tissue — FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 42455463 · DOI 10.1096/fj.202504676r
The Role and Mechanism of Carnosine in Alleviating Type 2 Diabetic Sarcopenia in Mice Through PI3K/AMPK/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway — Biology 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 42450547 · DOI 10.3390/biology15130999
L-carnosine attenuates endometrial fibrosis by targeting the ERK/PTGS2 axis — European journal of pharmacology 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 42342060 · DOI 10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.179089
Varied Effects of Carnosine and an Antioxidant-Enriched Carnosine Supplement in Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity Model in Mice — Current issues in molecular biology 2026
Carnosine is widely recognized for its antioxidant and cytoprotective properties and is being increasingly used in dietary supplements. However, its effects in drug-induced liver injury remain insufficiently studied. This study aimed to investigate and compare the hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects of pure carnosine and an antioxidant-enriched commercial carnosine supplement in a murine model of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Adult male Swiss Webster mice were pretreated orally for seven days with carnosine or a commercial carnosine supplement prior to a single hepatotoxic dose of paracetamol. The serum biochemical parameters, hepatic oxidative stress markers, histopathology, and immunohistochemical expression of CYP2E1, COX-2, and Iba1 were evaluated 24 h after paracetamol administration. Paracetamol increased serum aminotransferases, lipid peroxidation, CYP2E1 expression, …
open access ↗ · PMID 42353586 · DOI 10.3390/cimb48060581
Effects of carnosine supplementation on physical endurance: a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial — Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2026
BackgroundCarnosine (β-alanine-L-histidine) is an endogenous dipeptide found in abundance in highly metabolic tissues such as skeletal muscle and the brain, where it is thought to play a role in intracellular buffering, and thereby, promote anaerobic glycolysis. Due to its perceived ability to support muscle energetics, carnosine, and its precursor, β-alanine, have found widespread use as performance-enhancing supplements. Nevertheless, the utility and efficacy of carnosine in enhancing physical performance have not been rigorously evaluated.MethodsWe conducted a placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 299 participants were randomized to consume either placebo or carnosine-containing capsules (2 g per day). Several assessments of physical performance (hand grip strength, bilateral calf raise, 2-min step test, gait speed) were measured before initiating supplementation (Baseline: Visit…
open access ↗ · PMID 42308284 · DOI 10.1080/15502783.2026.2679716
Considerations for Carnosine Actions in Biology — Neurochemical research 2026
Carnosine is a histidinic dipeptide mainly identified for its pH buffering, antioxidant and metal chelating capacities. Several studies have explored the potential benefits of carnosine as a supplement for exercise, as well as an adjuvant treatment in several pathologies; however, roles and impacts of carnosine on most tissues, including the brain, are still under debate, especially in earlier stages of development. There is evidence that carnosine may impact a myriad of physiological parameters. It includes potential roles of carnosine as a modulator of cell survival, redox homeostasis, signaling and metabolism, among other functions. Many variables seem to impact the outcomes of carnosine actions (e.g., carnosine concentrations, length of exposure, target cell/tissue, biological sex, metabolic state, and developmental stage). Considering that the physiology and metabolism of histidine …
open access ↗ · PMID 41894036 · DOI 10.1007/s11064-026-04735-5
The Ameliorative Effects of Carnosine on the In Vitro Developmental Competence of Bovine Oocytes — Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 42510559 · DOI 10.3390/antiox15070828
Efficacy and Safety of L‐Carnosine‐Containing Hyaluronate Injection for Facial Skin Hydration and Brightness: A Randomized, Controlled, Evaluator‐Blinded Trial — Journal of cosmetic dermatology 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
The mechanism, illustrated
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