Any member of the group of pyridines that exhibit biological activity against vitamin B6 deficiency. Vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with microcytic anemia, electroencephalographic abnormalities, dermatitis with cheilosis (scaling on the lips and cracks at the corners of the mouth) and glossitis (swollen tongue), depression and confusion, and weakened immune function. Vitamin B6 consists of the vitamers pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine and their respective 5'-phosphate esters (and includes their corresponding ionized and salt forms).
| Member | Definition | Role |
|---|
| pyridoxal | A pyridinecarbaldehyde that is pyridine-4-carbaldehyde bearing methyl, hydroxy and hydroxymethyl substituents at positions 2, 3 and 5 respectively. The 4-carboxyaldehyde form of vitamin B6, it is converted into pyridoxal phosphate, a coenzyme for the synthesis of amino acids, neurotransmitters, sphingolipids and aminolevulinic acid. | pyridoxal |
| pyridoxamine | A monohydroxypyridine that is pyridine substituted by a hydroxy group at position 3, an aminomethyl group at position 4, a hydroxymethyl group at position 5 and a methyl group at position 2. The 4-aminomethyl form of vitamin B6, it is used (in the form of the hydrochloride salt) for treatment of diabetic nephropathy. | pyridoxamine |
| pyridoxamine dihydrochloride | A hydrochloride obtained by combining pyridoxamine with two molar equivalents of hydrochloric acid. Used for treatment of diabetic nephropathy. | pyridoxamine dihydrochloride |
| pyridoxic acid | A methylpyridine that is 2-methylpyridine substituted by a hydroxy group at C-3, a carboxy group at C-4, and a hydroxymethyl group at C-5. It is the catabolic product of vitamin B6 and is excreted in the urine. | 4-pyridoxic acid |
| pyridoxine | A hydroxymethylpyridine with hydroxymethyl groups at positions 4 and 5, a hydroxy group at position 3 and a methyl group at position 2. The 4-methanol form of vitamin B6, it is converted intoto pyridoxal phosphate which is a coenzyme for synthesis of amino acids, neurotransmitters, sphingolipids and aminolevulinic acid. | pyridoxine |
| pyridoxine hydrochloride | The hydrochloride salt of pyridoxine. | pyridoxine hydrochloride |