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Names and spellings

Names for the same molecule

  • Carnosine and L-carnosine are the same compound. The L refers to the histidine half, which is the natural form.
  • Beta-alanyl-L-histidine is the chemical name.
  • N-beta-alanyl-L-histidine appears in some databases.
  • The IUPAC name is (2S)-2-(3-aminopropanamido)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoic acid (HMDB).
  • Anserine is carnosine with a methyl group on the imidazole ring. It is the main dipeptide in chicken, turkey and tuna, and it resists breakdown in serum better than carnosine. See Anserine and related dipeptides.
  • Homocarnosine replaces beta-alanine with GABA. It is the dominant form in the human brain.
  • N-acetylcarnosine has an acetyl group on the amino end. It is the form used in eye drops. See N-acetylcarnosine.
  • Zinc-L-carnosine, also called polaprezinc, is a zinc complex of carnosine used as a medicine in Japan. See Zinc-L-carnosine.
  • Beta-alanine is one of carnosine’s two building blocks. It is sold on its own as a sports supplement. It is not carnosine.

Compounds with a similar name and no connection

  • Carnitine (L-carnitine, levocarnitine) is a different molecule. Both were discovered in meat extract by the same chemist, Vladimir Gulevich: carnosine in 1900 and carnitine in 1905, which is why the names look alike (Wikipedia: Vladimir Gulevich). Carnitine carries fatty acids into mitochondria. Regulators treat the two very differently: in Australia, levocarnitine is a permitted active ingredient in listed medicines and carnosine is not. See Status in Australia.
  • Carnosic acid is a plant compound from rosemary and sage, used as a food antioxidant (E392). It is not related.
  • Carnauba is a palm wax used in polishes. The only link is the first few letters.

Products can add to the confusion. The Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods lists a product called VitaCarniz whose active ingredient is levocarnitine, not carnosine (TGA, ARTG 472127).