L-tartaric acid

L-tartaric acid is a naturally occurring organic acid found in many plants, especially grapes and tamarinds. It is a white crystalline diprotic alpha-hydroxy-carboxylic acid and a dihydroxyl derivative of succinic acid. L-tartaric acid is widely used as an excipient in pharmaceutical manufacturing to improve the taste of oral medications and to generate carbon dioxide when combined with sodium bicarbonate for effervescent formulations[1][4]. Pharmacologically, it has demonstrated antihypertensive and vasorelaxant effects in animal studies through activation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (eNOS/NO/cGMP) pathway[5]. It also acts as an antioxidant but can be toxic at high doses due to its inhibition of malic acid production[8].

Brand names

Pneumoflex

Other names

tartaric acidl(+)-tartaric acid(2R,3R)-(+)-tartaric acid