Esters of acyl L-carnitines of general formula (I)
wherein
R is a straight or branched acyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, in particular isobutyryl and isovaleryl ;
n is an integer comprised between 7 and 15, particularly 10 ; and,
X- is the anion of a pharmacologically acceptable acid are endowed with potent antibacterial activity.
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an ester of formula (I) can be utilized in human therapy and in the veterinary field.
A hair-growing (restoration) agent comprises a carnitine compound represented by the formula (I) :
wherein R1 to R3 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms ; R4 represents an aliphatic acyl group having 3 to 31 carbon atoms which may be substituted ; R5 represents an alkyl group having 3 to 31 carbon atoms which may be substituted, or an alkenyl group having 3 to 31 carbon atoms which may be substituted ; and X- represents an anion of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, as an active ingredient.
The introduction of C-2 acyl groups and a benzyl ester onto L-carnitine generated a series of carnitine benzyl esters as prodrug with improved liposolubility, stability and bioavailability.