Description

• General description: Deoxycholic acid is an amphiphilic molecule and an important constituent of bile acid. It contains hydroxyl groups substituted at the 3α and 12α positions and a carboxyl group towards the end of the branched-chain. These moieties contribute to the hydrophilic nature of the molecule and the hydrophobic cyclopentanophenanthrene forms its center.[1]
• Application: Deoxycholic acid has been used as:a hyphal-inhibitory compound in an ex vivo assay to study the hyphal morphogenesis of Candida albicans in the gastrointestinal tract[2]an internal standard to estimate the toxin concentration in the cell pellet[3]a bile acid (BA) standard to quantitatively measure BA in various samples from treated mice by ultra-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry[4]
• Biochem/physiol Actions: Deoxycholic acid, due to its amphiphilicity, significantly helps to solubilize, emulsify, and absorb fat, vitamins, and cholesterol in the body.[1] High levels of intestinal deoxycholic acid might cause colorectal cancer by inducing oxidative stress and leading to DNA damage. It acts as an oncogene and pro-tumor factor.[5]
• Other Notes: For the solubilization of the β-adrenergic receptor[6]