Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a plant antioxidant naturally found in onion, is a precursor to glutathione. It has been used as a drug since the 1960s and is listed on the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines as an antidote in poisonings. There are numerous other uses or proposed uses in medicine that are still in preclinical and clinical investigations. NAC is also used in food supplements and cosmetics. Despite its abundant use, there are projections that the NAC global market will grow in the next five years; therefore, the purpose of this work is to provide a balanced view of further uses of NAC as a dietary supplement. Although NAC is considered a safe substance, the results among clinical trials are sometimes controversial or incomplete, like for many other antioxidants. More clinical trials are underway that will improve our understanding of NAC applicability.
Highlights
N-acetylcysteine is a precursor to the amino acid L-cysteine and the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) [1]
GSH itself, NAC has better oral and topical bioavailability [7,8]. Even though it has been used for more than 50 years, there are still many controversies surrounding it as a medicine as well as a dietary supplement
Several review articles have focused on various medical uses of NAC, some more general [9] and others highly specific dealing with NAC use only in a particular condition such as hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative damage [10], liver diseases [11], and traumatic brain injury [12]
Summary
N-acetylcysteine ( known as N-acetyl-cysteine, NAC) is a precursor to the amino acid L-cysteine and the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) [1]. It is most notably found in plants of the Allium species, especially in the onion (Allium cepa, 45 mg NAC/kg) [2,3]. GSH itself, NAC has better oral and topical bioavailability [7,8]. Even though it has been used for more than 50 years, there are still many controversies surrounding it as a medicine as well as a dietary supplement.
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