Merck, I7508-1KG, myo-Inositol

Myo-Inositol, also known as i-Inositol, is a sugar alcohol and functions as a growth factor for both animals and microorganisms. Classified as a pseudovitamin, it doesn′t meet the essential vitamin criteria, as its deficiency doesn′t lead to disease conditions despite its vital role in the body. This polyol is abundantly present and serves as a structural element in eukaryotic cell secondary messengers, playing crucial roles in biological processes like insulin signal transduction and cytoskeleton transduction. Myo-Inositol, a key component in structural lipids like phosphatidylinositol (PI) and its various phosphates, including phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) lipids. It plays the role of an osmolyte, cell culture media supplement, nutrient, phosphoinositide phospholipase C inhibitor, and metabolite. It participates in cell signaling, potentially stimulating tumor cell differentiation, and is found in cell membrane phospholipids, plasma lipoproteins, and the nucleus, showcasing potential chemopreventive properties. Myo-Inositol is a versatile compound that finds application in cell culture, metabolomics and biochemical research, contributing to the exploration of cellular processes and their impact on health and disease.