Sodium Tauroursodeoxycholate

Synonyms: TUDCA sodium salt, Sodium tauroursodeoxycholate, Tauroursodeoxycholic acid sodium salt, Ursodeoxycholyltaurine sodium salt, 3α,7β-Dihydroxy-5β-cholanoyltaurine sodium salt, Sodium tauro-ursodeoxycholate

Sodium tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA sodium) is the sodium salt of tauroursodeoxycholic acid, a taurine-conjugated bile acid that occurs naturally in the bile of certain mammals, most notably the Asiatic black bear. In traditional Chinese medicine, bear bile has been used for centuries to treat hepatobiliary disorders, and TUDCA is now recognized as one of its principal bioactive constituents. The compound is amphipathic, combining a hydrophilic taurine moiety with a lipophilic steroid nucleus, which underpins its membrane-stabilizing and cytoprotective properties.

From a chemical standpoint, TUDCA sodium is a sulfonated bile salt with a molecular formula of C₂₆H₄₄NNaO₆S and a molecular weight of 521.68 g/mol. It is the taurine conjugate of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), differing from UDCA by the presence of a taurine side chain that significantly enhances its water solubility and reduces its critical micellar concentration. This structural feature also distinguishes it from other taurine-conjugated bile acids such as taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) and taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA), where the number and orientation of hydroxyl groups on the steroid ring influence receptor binding and physiological activity.

In the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, sodium tauroursodeoxycholate is typically standardized to ≥98% purity by HPLC, with tight control over residual solvents, heavy metals, and microbial limits. It is used in oral formulations, injectables, and cell culture applications, where its ability to modulate bile acid receptors (e.g., TGR5, FXR) and inhibit apoptosis has generated considerable research interest. The compound is also a key intermediate in the synthesis of other bile acid derivatives and is employed as a reference standard in analytical laboratories.

Beyond its established role in liver support, TUDCA sodium has been investigated for its potential in metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and ocular conditions. Its favorable safety profile and well-characterized pharmacokinetics make it a preferred choice for formulators seeking a bioavailable, water-soluble bile acid salt. As global demand for bile acid therapies grows, sodium tauroursodeoxycholate remains a cornerstone ingredient for companies developing next-generation hepatoprotective and cytoprotective products.

Function

• Hepatoprotection: Stabilizes mitochondrial membranes in hepatocytes and reduces bile acid-induced apoptosis.
• Choleretic effect: Stimulates bile flow and facilitates the excretion of toxic bile acids.
• Anti-apoptotic activity: Inhibits the unfolded protein response (UPR) and caspase activation in stressed cells.
• Metabolic regulation: Modulates glucose and lipid metabolism via TGR5 and FXR signaling pathways.
• Neuroprotection: Reduces endoplasmic reticulum stress in neuronal models, with potential implications for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Membrane stabilization: Incorporates into cell membranes to protect against detergent-like damage from hydrophobic bile acids.

Source & Standardization

• Source: Synthetic or semi-synthetic from ursodeoxycholic acid; naturally occurring in bear bile.
• Extraction: Chemical conjugation of UDCA with taurine, followed by salt formation and purification.
• Standardization: ≥98.0% (HPLC); typically controlled for heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial limits.
• Forms: White to off-white crystalline powder; also available as aqueous solution for injectable use.
• Applications: Pharmaceutical formulations, nutraceuticals, cell culture media, research reagents.

Specifications

Documentation & Supply

• Monthly capacity: 500 kg
• Lead time: 3-5 business days (stock items)
• Documentation: COA, MSDS, TDS, and regulatory support available upon request
• Packaging: 25 kg fiber drum with double polyethylene liner; custom packaging options available

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