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2D Structure
Also known as: 107-43-7, Glycine betaine, Oxyneurine, Trimethylglycine, Lycine, Abromine
Molecular Formula
C5H11NO2
Molecular Weight
117.15  g/mol
InChI Key
KWIUHFFTVRNATP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
FDA UNII
3SCV180C9W

A naturally occurring compound that has been of interest for its role in osmoregulation. As a drug, betaine hydrochloride has been used as a source of hydrochloric acid in the treatment of hypochlorhydria. Betaine has also been used in the treatment of liver disorders, for hyperkalemia, for homocystinuria, and for gastrointestinal disturbances. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p1341)
Betaine is a Methylating Agent. The mechanism of action of betaine is as a Methylating Activity.
1 2D Structure

2D Structure

2 Identification
2.1 Computed Descriptors
2.1.1 IUPAC Name
2-(trimethylazaniumyl)acetate
2.1.2 InChI
InChI=1S/C5H11NO2/c1-6(2,3)4-5(7)8/h4H2,1-3H3
2.1.3 InChI Key
KWIUHFFTVRNATP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
2.1.4 Canonical SMILES
C[N+](C)(C)CC(=O)[O-]
2.2 Other Identifiers
2.2.1 UNII
3SCV180C9W
2.3 Synonyms
2.3.1 MeSH Synonyms

1. Acidin Pepsin

2. Acidin-pepsin

3. Acidinpepsin

4. Betaine Hydrochloride

5. Betaine, Glycine

6. C.b.b.

7. Citrate De Btane Beaufour

8. Citrate De Btane Upsa

9. Cystadane

10. Glycine Betaine

11. Hepastyl

12. Hydrochloride, Betaine

13. Lycine

14. Novobetaine

15. Oxyneurine

16. Scorbo Btane

17. Scorbo-btane

18. Scorbobtane

19. Stea 16

20. Stea-16

21. Stea16

2.3.2 Depositor-Supplied Synonyms

1. 107-43-7

2. Glycine Betaine

3. Oxyneurine

4. Trimethylglycine

5. Lycine

6. Abromine

7. Trimethylglycocoll

8. Glycocoll Betaine

9. Glycylbetaine

10. 2-(trimethylazaniumyl)acetate

11. Acidin-pepsin

12. Rubrine C

13. Betaine, Anhydrous

14. Jortaine

15. Alpha-earleine

16. Trimethylammonioacetate

17. 2-(trimethylammonio)acetate

18. N,n,n-trimethylglycine

19. Trimethylaminoacetic Acid

20. Glycine, Trimethylbetaine

21. Loramine Amb 13

22. (trimethylammonio)acetate

23. Glykokollbetain [german]

24. Trimethylaminoacetate

25. Acidol

26. Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-n,n,n-trimethyl-, Inner Salt

27. Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-n,n,n-trimethyl-, Hydroxide, Inner Salt

28. Betaine Anhydrous

29. 2-trimethylammonioacetate

30. Ai3-24187

31. Ai3-52598

32. Mfcd00012123

33. N,n,n-trimethylammonioacetate

34. Betafin

35. Brn 3537113

36. Glycinebetaine

37. Chebi:17750

38. (carboxymethyl)trimethylammonium Hydroxide, Inner Salt

39. 2-(trimethylammonio)ethanoic Acid, Hydroxide, Inner Salt

40. 2-(trimethylamino)acetic Acid

41. 3scv180c9w

42. 1-carboxy-n,n,n-trimethylmethanaminium Hydroxide, Inner Salt

43. 2-n,n,n-trimethylammonio Acetate

44. Aminocoat

45. Betaine (jan)

46. Greenstim

47. Finnstim

48. Nsc-166511

49. Betafin Bp

50. Betafin Bcr

51. Novobetaine

52. .alpha.-earleine

53. Hepastyl

54. Betaine [jan]

55. Dsstox_cid_2666

56. (carboxymethyl)trimethylammonium Hydroxide Inner Salt

57. Dsstox_rid_76680

58. Dsstox_gsid_22666

59. Glykokollbetain

60. 1-carboxy-n,n,n-trimethylmethanaminium Inner Salt

61. Fema No. 4223

62. Cas-107-43-7

63. Hsdb 7467

64. Ncgc00015150-03

65. Einecs 203-490-6

66. Trimethylglycocoll Anhydride

67. Nsc 166511

68. Unii-3scv180c9w

69. Glycine-betaine

70. .beta.ine

71. 3mam

72. 3ppp

73. Cystadane (tn)

74. Betaine,(s)

75. Betaine (8ci)

76. Aquadew An 100

77. 3l6h

78. Betaine [vandf]

79. Betaine [fhfi]

80. Betaine [hsdb]

81. Betaine [inci]

82. Betaine [fcc]

83. Betaine [mi]

84. Bet

85. Betaine [mart.]

86. Betaine [usp-rs]

87. Betaine [who-dd]

88. Bmse000069

89. Bmse000948

90. Bmse000997

91. (trimethylammoniumyl)acetate

92. Caprylic Amidopropyl Betaine

93. Ec 203-490-6

94. Schembl7739

95. Chembl1182

96. 4-04-00-02369 (beilstein Handbook Reference)

97. Betaine [orange Book]

98. (carboxymethyl)trimethylammonium

99. Gtpl4550

100. Dtxsid8022666

101. Bcp21888

102. Hy-b0710

103. Tox21_113511

104. Tox21_301159

105. Bdbm50103520

106. Betaine Anhydrous [ema Epar]

107. Nsc166511

108. Stk372904

109. Akos005206774

110. Am90357

111. Ccg-266068

112. Db06756

113. Sdccgmls-0066923.p001

114. Ncgc00178605-01

115. Ncgc00178605-02

116. Ncgc00178605-03

117. Ncgc00178605-08

118. Ncgc00255057-01

119. Abromine; Lycine; Trimethylglycine (tmg)

120. As-12941

121. Sy011295

122. Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-n,n,n-trimethyl-

123. B0455

124. Ft-0622917

125. N1709

126. Wln: Qv1k1 & 1 & 1 & Q

127. C00719

128. D07523

129. Ab00053634_03

130. A801696

131. Methanaminium, Carboxy-n,n,n-trimethyl-, Inner Salt

132. Methanaminium,n,n-trimethyl-, Hydroxide, Inner Salt

133. Q-200708

134. Q10860583

135. Z2756787719

136. Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-n,n,n-trimethyl-, Inner Salt (9ci)

137. Ammonium Compounds, Substituted, (carboxymethyl)trimethyl-, Hydroxide, Inner Salt (7ci)

2.3.3 Other Synonyms

1. Betaine Salicylate

2. Betaine Nitrate

2.4 Create Date
2004-09-16
3 Chemical and Physical Properties
Molecular Weight 117.15 g/mol
Molecular Formula C5H11NO2
XLogP30.5
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count0
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count2
Rotatable Bond Count1
Exact Mass117.078978594 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass117.078978594 g/mol
Topological Polar Surface Area40.1 Ų
Heavy Atom Count8
Formal Charge0
Complexity87.6
Isotope Atom Count0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Covalently Bonded Unit Count1
4 Drug and Medication Information
4.1 Drug Information
1 of 2  
Drug NameCystadane
PubMed HealthBetaine (Oral route)
Drug ClassesDigestant
Drug LabelCystadane (betaine anhydrous for oral solution) is an agent for the treatment of homocystinuria. It contains no ingredients other than anhydrous betaine. Cystadane is a white, granular, hygroscopic powder, which is diluted in water and administered...
Active IngredientBetaine hydrochloride
Dosage FormFor solution
RouteOral
Strength1gm/scoopful
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyRare Dis Therap

2 of 2  
Drug NameCystadane
PubMed HealthBetaine (Oral route)
Drug ClassesDigestant
Drug LabelCystadane (betaine anhydrous for oral solution) is an agent for the treatment of homocystinuria. It contains no ingredients other than anhydrous betaine. Cystadane is a white, granular, hygroscopic powder, which is diluted in water and administered...
Active IngredientBetaine hydrochloride
Dosage FormFor solution
RouteOral
Strength1gm/scoopful
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyRare Dis Therap

4.2 Therapeutic Uses

... /The authors/ measured blood lipids in four placebo-controlled, randomised intervention studies that examined the effect of betaine (three studies, n = 151), folic acid (two studies, n = 75), and phosphatidylcholine (one study, n = 26) on plasma homocysteine concentrations ... /They/ combined blood lipid data from the individual studies and calculated a weighted mean change in blood lipid concentrations relative to placebo. Betaine supplementation (6 g/day) for 6 wk increased blood LDL cholesterol concentrations by 0.36 mmol/L (95% confidence interval: 0.25 to 0.46), and triacylglycerol concentrations by 0.14 mmol/L (0.04 to 0.23) relative to placebo. The ratio of total to HDL cholesterol increased by 0.23 (0.14 to 0.32). Concentrations of HDL cholesterol were not affected. Doses of betaine lower than 6 g/day also raised LDL cholesterol, but these changes were not statistically significant. Further, the effect of betaine on LDL cholesterol was already evident after 2 wk of intervention. Phosphatidylcholine supplementation (providing approximately 2.6 g/day of choline) for 2 wk increased triacylglycerol concentrations by 0.14 mmol/L (0.06 to 0.21), but did not affect cholesterol concentrations. Folic acid supplementation (0.8 mg/day) had no effect on lipid concentrations.

Olthof MR et al; PLoS Med 2(5):e135 (2005)


Anhydrous betaine has been useful in the treatment of homocystinuria and betaine may be helpful in other conditions characterized by elevated plasma homocysteine levels. Betaine hydrochloride is used as a digestive aid in some. There is some suggestion in animal research that betaine may be hepatoprotective in some circumstances.

Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) for Nutritional Supplements 1st ed, Medical Economics, Thomson Healthcare; Montvale, NJ (2001) p.47


Cystadane (betaine anhydrous for oral solution) is indicated for the treatment of homocystinuria to decrease elevated homocysteine blood levels. Included within the category of homocystinuria are deficiencies or defects in: cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and cobalamin cofactor metabolism (cbl).

US FDA; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; Revised Label Cystadane (Betaine anhydrous for oral solution) (Approved 2/17/2006). Available from, as of August 28, 2006: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Label_ApprovalHistory


VET: Betaine glucuronate is, together with 2-aminoethanol glucuronate, used as active principle in a product for symptomatic treatment of acute or chronic disorders of the liver, such as endogenous metabolic disorders, cases of exogenous intoxication or disorders related to parasite infestations. It is administered by injection in cattle, horses, sheep, goats and pigs ... . /Betaine glucuronate/

European Medicines Agency (EMEA), The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products, Veterinary Medicines Evaluation Unit, Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products; Betaine Glucuronate, Summary Report. EMEA/MRL/568/99-Final (February 1999). Available from, as of November 6, 2006: https://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/document_library/landing/document_library_search.jsp&murl=menus/document_library/document_library.jsp&mid


For more Therapeutic Uses (Complete) data for BETAINE (14 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


4.3 Drug Warning

It is not known whether betaine is excreted in human milk (although its metabolic precursor, choline, occurs at high levels in human milk). Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Cystadane is administered to a nursing woman.

US FDA; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; Revised Label Cystadane (Betaine anhydrous for oral solution) (Approved 2/17/2006). Available from, as of August 28, 2006: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Label_ApprovalHistory


Therapy with Cystadane should be directed by physicians knowledgeable in the management of patients with homocystinuria.

US FDA; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; Revised Label Cystadane (Betaine anhydrous for oral solution) (Approved 2/17/2006). Available from, as of August 28, 2006: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Label_ApprovalHistory


FDA Pregnancy Risk Category: C /RISK CANNOT BE RULED OUT. Adequate, well controlled human studies are lacking, and animal studies have shown risk to the fetus or are lacking as well. There is a chance of fetal harm if the drug is given during pregnancy; but the potential benefits may outweigh the potential risk./

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2006.


Patients with homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency may also have elevated plasma methionine concentrations. Treatment with Cystadane may further increase methionine concentrations due to the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Cerebral edema has been reported in patients with hypermethioninemia, including a few patients treated with Cystadane. Plasma methionine concentrations should be monitored in patients with CBS deficiency. Plasma methionine concentrations should be kept below 1,000 umol/L through dietary modification and, if necessary, a reduction of Cystadane dose.

US FDA; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; Revised Label Cystadane (Betaine anhydrous for oral solution) (Approved 2/17/2006). Available from, as of August 28, 2006: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Label_ApprovalHistory


For more Drug Warnings (Complete) data for BETAINE (11 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


4.4 Drug Indication

Betaine is indicated for the treatment of homocystinuria to decrease elevated homocysteine blood levels. Included within the category of homocystinuria are deficiencies or defects in: 1. cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), 2. 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), 3. cobalamin cofactor metabolism (cbl).


FDA Label


Amversio is indicated as adjunctive treatment of homocystinuria, involving deficiencies or defects in:

cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS),

5,10 methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR),

cobalamin cofactor metabolism (cbl).


5 Pharmacology and Biochemistry
5.1 MeSH Pharmacological Classification

Lipotropic Agents

Endogenous factors or drugs that increase the transport and metabolism of LIPIDS including the synthesis of LIPOPROTEINS by the LIVER and their uptake by extrahepatic tissues. (See all compounds classified as Lipotropic Agents.)


Gastrointestinal Agents

Drugs used for their effects on the gastrointestinal system, as to control gastric acidity, regulate gastrointestinal motility and water flow, and improve digestion. (See all compounds classified as Gastrointestinal Agents.)


5.2 FDA Pharmacological Classification
5.2.1 Active Moiety
BETAINE
5.2.2 FDA UNII
3SCV180C9W
5.2.3 Pharmacological Classes
Methylating Agent [EPC]; Methylating Activity [MoA]
5.3 ATC Code

A16AA06


A - Alimentary tract and metabolism

A16 - Other alimentary tract and metabolism products

A16A - Other alimentary tract and metabolism products

A16AA - Amino acids and derivatives

A16AA06 - Betaine


5.4 Absorption, Distribution and Excretion

Absorption

After a single oral dose of betaine (50 mg/kg), absorption was rapid (tmax = 0.9 0.3 hours and a Cmax = 0.9 0.2 mM).


Volume of Distribution

V/F = 1.3 l/kg


Clearance

84 ml/h/kg


Betaine is absorbed from the small intestines into the enterocytes. It is released by the enterocytes into the portal circulation which carries it to the liver where there is significant first-pass extraction and first-pass metabolism of betaine. The principal metabolic reaction is the transfer of a methyl group from betaine to homocysteine via the enzyme betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase. The products of the reaction are L-methionine and dimethylglycine. Betaine hydrochloride is converted to betaine in the alkaline environment of the small intestine.

Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) for Nutritional Supplements 1st ed, Medical Economics, Thomson Healthcare; Montvale, NJ (2001) p.47


It is not known whether betaine is distributed into breast milk. However, its metabolic precursor, choline, is found in human breast milk in high concentrations .

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2006.


... /The authors/ measured homocysteine, betaine, folate, vitamin B(6), and related compounds in serum/plasma from 500 healthy men and women aged 34 to 69 years before (fasting levels) and 6 hours after a standard methionine loading test. Choline, dimethylglycine, and folate were determinants of plasma betaine in a multiple regression model adjusting for age and sex. The increase in homocysteine after loading showed a strong inverse association with plasma betaine and a weaker inverse association with folate and vitamin B6. Fasting homocysteine showed a strong inverse relation to folate, a weak relation to plasma betaine, and no relation to vitamin B6. Notably, adjusted (for age and sex) dose-response curves for the postmethionine increase in homocysteine or fasting homocysteine versus betaine showed that the inverse associations were most pronounced at low serum folate, an observation that was confirmed by analyses of interaction ... Collectively, these results show that plasma betaine is a strong determinant of increase in homocysteine after methionine loading, particularly in subjects with low folate status. In 500 healthy subjects, postmethionine load increase in tHcy showed a stronger inverse relation to betaine than to folate and vitamin B6, whereas for fasting total homocysteine (tHcy) betaine was a weaker determinant than folate. For both tHcy modalities, the association with betaine was most pronounced in subjects with low folate status.

PMID:15550695 Holm PI et al; Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 25(2):379-85 (2005)


Thirty-four healthy men and women were supplied with doses of 1, 3 and 6 g betaine and then with 6 g betaine +1 mg folic acid for four consecutive 1-week periods. The mean plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration decreased by 1.1 (NS), 10.0 and 14.0 % (P<0.001) after supplementation with 1, 3 and 6 g betaine respectively. A further decrease in plasma tHcy by 5 % (P<0.01) was achieved by combining 1 mg folic acid with the 6 g betaine dose. Plasma betaine increased from 31 (sd 13) to 255 (sd 136) umol/L in a dose-dependent manner (R(2) 0.97) ... /The authors/ conclude that plasma tHcy is lowered rapidly and significantly by 3 or 6 g betaine/d in healthy men and women.

PMID:15522136 Alfthan G et al; Br J Nutr 92(4):665-9 (2004)


... /The authors/ investigated the courses of plasma choline and betaine during normal human pregnancy and their relations to plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) ... Blood samples were obtained monthly; the initial samples were taken at gestational week (GW) 9, and the last samples were taken approximately 3 mo postpartum. The study population comprised 50 women of West African descent. Most of the subjects took folic acid irregularly ... Plasma choline (geometric x; 95% reference interval) increased continuously during pregnancy, from 6.6 (4.5, 9.7) umol/L at GW 9 to 10.8 (7.4, 15.6) umol/L at GW 36. Plasma betaine decreased in the first half of pregnancy, from 16.3 (8.6, 30.8) umol/L at GW 9 to 10.3 (6.6, 16.2) umol/L at GW 20 and remained constant thereafter ... /The authors/ confirmed a reduction in plasma tHcy, and the lowest concentration was found in the second trimester. From GW 16 onward, an inverse relation between plasma tHcy and betaine was observed. Multiple regression analysis showed that plasma betaine was a strong predictor of plasma tHcy from GW 20 onward ... The steady increase in choline throughout gestation may ensure choline availability for placental transfer with subsequent use by the growing fetus. Betaine becomes a strong predictor of tHcy during the course of pregnancy.

PMID:15941891 Velzing-Aarts FV et al; Am J Clin Nutr 81(6):1383-9 (2005)


5.5 Metabolism/Metabolites

Betaine is absorbed from the small intestines into the enterocytes. It is released by the enterocytes into the portal circulation which carries it to the liver where there is significant first-pass extraction and first-pass metabolism of betaine. The principal metabolic reaction is the transfer of a methyl group from betaine to homocysteine via the enzyme betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase. The products of the reaction are L-methionine and dimethylglycine. Betaine hydrochloride is converted to betaine in the alkaline environment of the small intestine.

Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) for Nutritional Supplements 1st ed, Medical Economics, Thomson Healthcare; Montvale, NJ (2001) p.47


/Betaine/ is a metabolite of choline ...

US FDA; Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; Revised Label Cystadane (Betaine anhydrous for oral solution) (Approved 2/17/2006). Available from, as of August 28, 2006: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Label_ApprovalHistory


5.6 Biological Half-Life

14 hours


5.7 Mechanism of Action

Betaine acts as a methyl group donor in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine in patients with homocystinuria.


Betaine acts as metabolic intermediate in transmethylating processes (creatine and methionine synthesis).

European Medicines Agency (EMEA), The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products, Veterinary Medicines Evaluation Unit, Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products; Betaine, Summary Report. EMEA/MRL/261/97-Final (September 1997). Available from, as of November 6, 2006: https://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/document_library/landing/document_library_search.jsp&murl=menus/document_library/document_library.jsp&mid


Betaine acts as a methyl group donor in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine in patients with homocystinuria. This reduces toxic concentrations of homocysteine, usually to 20 to 30% or less of pretreatment concentrations.

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2006.


Betaine or trimethylglycine is a quarternary ammonium compound that was first discovered in the juice of sugar beets (Beta vulgaris). Betaine is a metabolite of choline ... and is a substrate in one of the two recycling pathways that convert homocysteine to L-methionine. The other and principal recycling reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme methionine synthase and uses methylcobalamin as a cofactor and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate as a cosubstrate.

Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) for Nutritional Supplements 1st ed, Medical Economics, Thomson Healthcare; Montvale, NJ p.46 (2001)


Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) is a zinc metalloenzyme which catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from betaine to homocysteine in the formation of methionine. BHMT is found in the liver and kidneys and may also exist in brain tissue. Betaine acts to lower homocysteine levels in some with primary hyperhomocysteinemia/homocystinuria via this enzyme.

Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) for Nutritional Supplements 1st ed, Medical Economics, Thomson Healthcare; Montvale, NJ p.47 (2001)