indole-3-pyruvic acid

Indole-3-pyruvic acid is a keto-analogue of the amino acid tryptophan and a metabolite generated by the gut microbiota. It functions as an endogenous ligand for the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR), a transcription factor that plays a critical role in regulating immune responses, barrier function, and cellular homeostasis in the skin and gut. Unlike potent pollutant ligands like TCDD, indole-3-pyruvic acid is considered a selective AHR modulator that can induce beneficial therapeutic effects without significant systemic toxicity. It is primarily investigated in preclinical research for its potential to treat inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis and for its role in the gut-skin axis, where it helps maintain barrier integrity and modulate inflammatory signaling pathways.

Other names

3-indolepyruvic acidIndolepyruvic acidIndole-3-pyruvateIndole3-pyruvateIndole 3-pyruvate