Retinoic acid is a naturally occurring derivative of vitamin A (retinol).
Retinoic acid is produced in the body from dietary vitamin A. Vitamin A can be ingested in two primary forms:
• Preformed vitamin A (retinol and its esters) found in animal products like liver, dairy, and fish.
• Provitamin A carotenoids (such as beta-carotene) found in colorful fruits and vegetables.
Once ingested, these compounds are converted into retinol, which can then be oxidized to retinal and further oxidized to retinoic acid.
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a key component in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In APL, ATRA induces the differentiation of malignant promyelocytes into mature granulocytes, leading to clinical remission.
-Retinoic acid can have antioxidant properties
-High levels of retinoic acid have been associated with increased ROS production and oxidative stress
-The potential prooxidant action may contribute to its anti-cancer effects by inducing oxidative damage in cancer cells, thereby enhancing apoptosis.
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